Learning from Experience explores how the Poverty Reduction Strategy Initiative (PRSI) process is working, as seen from the perspective of four recipient countries. This initiative of the World Bank and IMF was introduced in 1999, with the aim of making aid more effective. It has been implemented in over forty low-income countries. Support for it from international institutions, donors and others, has ranged from enthusiastic to hostile. The four country studies in this volume, from Tanzania, Ghana, Malawi and Bangladesh, consider the PRSI process under six headings: design of the strategy; the extent of country ownership and how to strengthen it; implementation; accountability; alignment of development partner support; and improving donor practices and procedures and cutting transactions costs. Learning from Experience presents the effects of the PRSI process as they are experienced from recipient countries themselves, and will help international and national economic planners improve the way in which future Poverty Reduction Strategy plans are developed and implemented.

Foreword Acronyms 1. Introduction Overall picture 2. Monitoring Donor and IFI Support Behind Country-owned Poverty Reduction Strategies in the United Republic of Tanzania I. Introduction II. Evolution of the PRS process in Tanzania III. Quality of the PRS and its implementation IV. Quality of support given by development partners V. Main findings and recommendations 3. Monitoring Donor and IFI Support Behind Country-owned Poverty Reduction Strategies in Ghana I. Introduction II. Evolution of the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy III. Preparation and content of the GPRS IV. Quality of the GPRS and its implementation V. Quality of support given by development partners VI. Main findings and recommendations 4. Monitoring IFI and Donor Support for Poverty Reduction Strategies: Malawi I. Introduction II. Evolution of the PRS process in Malawi III. Quality of the strategy and its implementation IV. Quality of support given by external partners V. Main findings and recommendations 5. Monitoring Donor Support for the Poverty Reduction Strategy in Bangladesh: Rethinking the Rules of Engagement I. Introduction II. Quality of the Poverty Reduction Strategy III. Implementation and monitoring of the PRS: the government's initiatives and donor responses IV. What can donors do differently and how? V. Concluding remarks Annex: Summary of 2002 report of the Independent Monitoring Group (IMG): enhancing aid relationships in Tanzania References Index