| The World Bank has undertaken numerous studies and adopted over 15 Bank operational policies or directives over the past several decades geared to encouraging greater civil society involvement in Bank operations. These policies are not only reflected in several major publications such as the 2000 World Development Report on Attacking Poverty, but is a key facet of the two most important new Bank conceptual frameworks – the Comprehensive Development Framework (CDF) and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) processes. Many of these concepts are reflected in the Bank's new Social Development Strategy entitled "Empowering People by Transforming Institutions: Social Development in World Bank Operations".
Participatory development is defined by the Bank as a process through which stakeholders, and particularly the poor, influence and share control over development initiatives, and the decisions and resources that affect them. There is growing evidence that participation improves the quality, effectiveness and sustainability of projects, while strengthening the ownership and commitment of governments and stakeholders.Â
At the country level, the Bank is assisting governments implement participatory policies, by institutionalizing mechanisms for transparency and accountability to improve public service delivery and make social spending more cost-effective. Activities undertaken include helping governments strengthen their legal, regulatory, political, and institutional frameworks; providing training to both governments and CSOs on participatory budgeting, citizens’ score cards, and social program evaluation approaches; and linking social accountability efforts to the PRSP and other existing poverty reduction processes at the national and local levels.
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