Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP)

Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP) describe a country's macroeconomic, structural and social policies and programs to promote growth and reduce poverty, as well as associated external financing needs. PRSPs are prepared by governments through a participatory process that involves civil society and development partners, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers provide the basis for World Bank and IMF assistance as well as debt relief under the HIPC (Heavily Indebted Poor Countries) initiative. PRSPs should be country-driven, comprehensive, partnership-oriented, and participatory. A country only needs to write a PRSP every three years; however, changes can be made to the content of a PRSP using an Annual Progress Report.

Profile of Burkina Faso's PRSP

The Burkina Faso Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, developed in June 2000 by the Burkina Faso Government, identifies the causes of poverty in the country, outlines the government’s strategy to reduce poverty, and describes ways to monitor and evaluate the progress made toward the poverty reduction goals. The PRSP describes the government's objectives to:

	Accelerate growth based on equity;
	Ensure that the poor have access to basic social services;
	Expand opportunities for employment and income-generating activities
	Promote good governance.

In each of these areas, the document outlines the specific actions that the government intends to pursue over the medium term to overcome the severe constraints. The action plan focuses on three priority sectors: education, health, and rural development, where public interventions have the highest payoff in terms of economic growth, employment opportunities, and the quality of life.

Burkina Faso's PRSP and annual PRSP progress reports are available on the World Bank's Poverty Site.