Participation in 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 involving civil society and development partners, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It is based on the underlying principle that the PRSP should be prepared through a country-driven process, including broad participation, that promotes country ownership of the strategy and its implementation.

Guiding Principles for Participation in the Poverty Redsuction Staretegy (PRS)

• Outcome orientation: Participatory processes for the PRS can be designed and conducted with specific outcomes in mind (such as to fill critical information gaps, or to engage specific groups that have previously not been in a position to contribute). This will yield more focused information for planning and implementing poverty reduction strategies.
  
  
• Inclusion: The PRS process will be more effective if the knowledge and experience of a range of stakeholders, including the poor and vulnerable groups, especially women, is tapped and their perspectives systematically incorporated into the design and implementation of the country's poverty reduction strategy.
  
  
• Feasibility: Participatory processes ought to build as much as possible on existing governance and political systems.
  
  
• Country Ownership: Government commitment and leadership and broad country ownership are critical for effective formulation and implementation of poverty reduction strategies.
  
  
• Transparency: Transparency of participation and its outcomes at the national and local government levels builds trust, ownership, and support among all stakeholders
  
  
• Sustainability: Participatory processes that build on existing mechanisms are more likely to be institutionalized and sustained over time. Similarly, policy reforms are more likely to be adopted if they are informed by a widely shared understanding of poverty and its causes.
  
  
• Continuous improvement: The PRS process is an iterative process of participation, planning, implementing, assessing set targets and indicators, and feedback. Regular participation will play a key role in continuously improving poverty reduction strategies.