Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (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, refer to the World Bank Povertynet website.

Guinea-Bissau's Interim National Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper

Guinea-Bissau's presented their interim National Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (I-NPRSP) for the period 2000-2003 in September 2000.  The strategy provides an analysis of poverty, however the weak available data and its incidence, causes and determinants hindered the formulation of a detailed and precise poverty reduction strategy.  The government followed a broad-based participatory process to develop the strategy which includes input from government departments, the People's National Assembly, civil society (including NGOs, labor unions, religious associations, grassroots associations, the armed forces) and international organizations. The I-NPRSP includes a set of measures intended to enable sustained growth in per capita income, improve the living conditions of the population, and bring about a reduction in poverty. It also presents an implementation timetable and consultation procedures for preparing the full NPRSP.

The Government of Guinea-Bissau fully endorses the development objectives set for the year 2015 by the OECD/DAC and accepted at several UN conferences:

	Reduction of the extreme poverty index by half
	Two-thirds reduction in infant mortality rates
	Achievement of universal enrollment in primary education
	Elimination of gender disparities in education (by 2005)
	Implementation in all countries, by 2005, of national strategies to reverse environmental resource trends by 2015.

In order to attain its primary objectives for 2000-2003, the government's strategy will be designed essentially around four main axes:

	Create conditions for rapid and sustainable growth
	Increase access to essential social goods;
	Implement programs aimed at mitigating poverty
	Improving governance.

In preparing the full NPRSP, the government will continue its broad-based participatory consultations with local communities in urban and rural areas, with the goal of achieving a national consensus on aspirations and strategies and preparing regional programs to reduce poverty and improve living standards.

For more information, please refer to the Guinea-Bissau I-NPRSP.