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.  For more information, please refer to the World Bank Povertynet website.

Poverty Reduction Strategy for The Gambia, 2002

The 2002 PRSP for The Gambia (PDF, 5.96 mb) evolved from the interim PRSP (I-PRSP) presented to the Boards of the IMF and IDA during December 2001. The Gambia’s original Strategy for Poverty Alleviation (SPA) was launched in 1994 after two years of consultation with civil society (including the poor), and donors. An even broader participatory process was followed for the PRSP development.

The PRSP provides a sound poverty analysis based on data from household surveys in 1989, 1992 and 1998. This data was complemented by a series of Participatory Poverty Assessments. The strategy delineates the priority sectors in terms of their contribution to pro-poor growth and provision of public services.  Included in the strategy is a macroeconomic framework and financing plan, an analysis of the policy framework and processes, with an emphasis on promoting efficiency and transparency in public finances.  The government states its firm commitment to the reduction of poverty showing strong ownership which has also been affirmed through the extensive participatory process.

The main objectives of the Gambian PRSP are to:

	Promote growth and employment
	Enhance the provision of social services and mainstream cross-cutting policies for gender issues and the HIV/AIDS problem
	Improve the environment as a means of accelerating poverty reduction

Priority sectors are health, education and agriculture. For more information on The Gambia PRSP, please refer to the World Bank  Povertynet website.