2008年-世界发展银行全球_Learning_by_Doing___The_Japanese_PHRD_Fund_and_Capacity_Development_4页_818kb

Capacity Development Summary: Japanese PHRD Fund

Core Content

The Japanese Policy and Human Resources Development (PHRD) Fund, established in 1990, has supported capacity development through three main programs: the Joint Japan / World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program, WBI Capacity Development Grants, and PHRD Project Preparation Grants. These programs aim to enhance human resources, improve policy formulation and implementation, and strengthen institutional and organizational capacities in developing countries.

Main Viewpoints

• Graduate Scholarship Program:

  • Launched in 1987, it supports mid-career professionals in developing countries to pursue graduate studies.
  • Over 3,750 scholarships were awarded between 1987 and 2007.
  • Tracer studies show high completion rates, return to home countries, and employment in senior positions.
  • 60% of scholars reported career advancement due to the program.
  • The program is considered effective and cost-efficient, with high participant satisfaction.

• WBI Capacity Development Grants:

  • These grants support training and learning programs to build individual and organizational capacities.
  • They are part of WBI's broader initiatives and have been evaluated for their impact.
  • From 2005 to 2007, 111 WBI activities were evaluated, showing a general improvement in usefulness and satisfaction.
  • The program has a strong focus on multi-year, country-specific initiatives, especially in Asia.

• Project Preparation Grants:

  • The PHRD Fund has financed over 2,875 project preparation grants in 144 countries.
  • These grants are crucial for improving the quality and speed of World Bank lending operations.
  • Recipient countries are responsible for executing the grants, leading to strong ownership and alignment with national development priorities.
  • The grants have significantly improved development effectiveness, quality of project implementation, and institutional capacity.

Key Information

Impact of PHRD Project Preparation Grants

• Evaluation Findings:

  • PHRD-prepared investments showed better development effectiveness and quality than those without PHRD support.
  • The grants contributed to improved policies, institutions, and capacities in 143 countries.
  • A 2007 evaluation confirmed the program's effectiveness and its role in promoting best practices and stakeholder participation.

• Three Levels of Capacity Development:

  • Individual Level:
    • Increased knowledge of international standards and procedures.
    • Enhanced technical competencies through workshops and training.
    • Awareness of alternative working styles and soft investments.
  • Organizational Level:
    • Improved financial management and procurement systems.
    • Implementation of more efficient and participatory management structures.
    • Better coordination and information sharing among agencies.
  • Operational Environment Level:
    • Raised awareness of the importance of stakeholder participation.
    • Disseminated knowledge through local organizations.
    • Strengthened domestic consulting industries.
    • Encouraged adoption of best practices in project management and procurement.

Challenges and Areas for Improvement

• The program has not always fostered synergy or knowledge sharing between grants.
• Each grant is country, institution, and project-specific, limiting the transfer of lessons learned.
• The evaluation team suggested that the grant processes could be further improved to enhance outcomes.

Conclusion

The Japanese PHRD Fund has made a substantial contribution to human and institutional capacity development across 144 countries. Its project preparation grants, in particular, have been instrumental in improving the quality and speed of World Bank lending operations, while also fostering long-term capacity building. Despite some limitations, the program has demonstrated strong effectiveness and continues to be a strategic instrument for development assistance.

References

• Khattri, Nidhi. 2007. Annual Evaluation Review, FY06. Effectiveness, Outcomes, and Quality of WBI's Learning Programs: What Does Evaluation Evidence Show? WBI Evaluation Study Studies EG07-128.
• Universalia. 2008. Evaluation of the Policy and Human Resources Development Trust Fund, vols. I-IX.
• WBI (World Bank Institute). 2007. Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program, Annual Report 2006.
• World Bank. 2001. Development Impact, Japan Policy and Human Resources Development Fund.

Contact Information

• WBI Capacity Development Resource Center:
  • Mark Nelson – Program Manager
    • Tel: 202-458-8041
    • Email: mnelson1@worldbank.org
  • Ajay Tejasvi – Program Coordinator
    • Tel: 202-458-4064
    • Email: anarasimhan@worldbank.org
• Website: http://www.worldbank.org/capacity for more information and downloads.