The role of donors in PRS monitoring systems: advantages and disadvantages of the different forms of involvement

Henry Lucas and Monika Zabel for the World Bank, December 2005

There has been insufficient recognition by both donors and national governments of the challenges that poverty reduction strategy (PRS) monitoring poses to national statistics and information systems, and the serious resource constraints under which those systems operate.

To what extent should donors seek engagement with the monitoring of PRS implementation? If partner countries are genuinely interested in using PRS monitoring to support effective policy implementation, there is a potential for a mutually beneficial relationship with the donor community in this area.

Based on a review of donor experiences in PRS monitoring, these papers by Monika Zabel (Lead M&E Specialist, HLSP) and Henry Lucas (Institute for Development Studies) seek to assess the current position and to provide some guidance as to possible ways forward.

The papers are based on work contracted by the Poverty Reduction Group of the World Bank, and their findings are integrated in recent WB publications on poverty reduction strategies.