With the Country Assistance Strategy with Tunisia (CAS) ending in 2008, the World Bank began preparation of the new Country partnership strategy (CPS 2010-2013).
Country Assistance Strategy with Tunisia (2004-2008)Â
The CAS is an essential document in the implementation of development programs of the World Bank in partner countries. It is a key instrument for the World Bank in managing, monitoring and evaluating these programs and their impact on economic growth, the reduction of poverty and vulnerability with the objective of an equitable and perennial development.
On June 3, 2004, the World Bank adopted a Country Assistance Strategy. Developed in partnership with the Tunisian government for the 2004-2008 period, it was based on extensive consultations with various development actors. It also serves as a guide and framework for the World Bank's support to the country's development. More Country Partnership Strategy with Tunisia (CPS 2010-2013)
In a similar way as the CAS, CPS are structured along a logical framework that aims to align challenges outlined, sought goals and programmatic choices, focusing on the monitoring and evaluation within the proposed programs. Â
Centered on the concept of "partnership" rather than "assistance", the CPS is different from the CAS in:
Its flexibility. It does not offer several collaborative scenarios that are predetermined and rigid, but rather chooses to restrain its scope of action on strategic directions, lending programs and analytical activities in the short term.
The close collaboration that should govern the choice of programs, within the dialogue framework with the government. The CPS does not aim to provide a comprehensive and systemic response to development challenges faced by the country, but rather a concerted choice of priority lines of action agreed upon between the government and the World Bank Group.
Its inclusion at the heart of the country's vision and program development. Delivering a shared diagnosis in terms of development challenges and prior agreement on the selected programs’ expected outcome is particularly important. Detailing performance indicators can however be assigned to the tasks of drafting and formulating programs being implemented.
Developing a CPS entails a consultation processÂ
It is important for the World Bank to consult all relevant development stakeholders in producing the CPS by respecting a process that fosters dialogue and reflection on the country's development.
In addition to consulting with government officials and to ensure the broadest participation of stakeholders, the World Bank also looks for various perspectives from various stakeholders on priorities, challenges and options that will define its activities.
It is in this sense that consultations are carried out through dialogue with key stakeholders in the economic and social development, including the private sector, academics, youth groups, local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), etc. These consultations are conducted according to varying patterns: round tables, extended meetings, workshops and think tanks.
The aim is to listen for these stakeholders to better understand their perspectives on development challenges and priorities as well as the impact of the World Bank's actions.
These dialogues will also encourage the debate on issues that do not explicitly appear in our program of action under the CPS (namely gender or knowledge economy issues), but that should be dealt with using other tools. Examples of strategiesÂ
The World Bank has recently developed flexible results-based strategic partnerships for the following countries in 2008 and 2009 (PDF documents):
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