POVERTY REDUCTION STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT PROCESS, MPLEMENTATION AND REVIEW TANZANIA EXPERIENCE SUSTAINING PARTICIPATION IN POVERTY REDUCTION STRATEGIES WORKSHOP, MAY 2, 2005 ACCRA, GHANA

BACKGROUND Tanzania has long history in fighting poverty since our independence 1961. Various Poverty related Policies were developed at different time. Significant achievements have been made, however we also experienced some challenges which have led to reviews of those policies

Recent initiatives in fighting poverty Various reform programmes PRS I (2000-2003) PRS Review Process Launching (2003) Stakeholders Consultations.

PRS IMPLEMENTATION AND REVIEW OF THE PERFORMANCE The Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS-I) provided for priority sectors and cross cutting issues, namely agriculture, education, health, water, rural roads, judiciary, and HIV/AIDS. The activities were set within these priority sectors to achieve a number of targets. Recent review of sector performance has shown positive encouraging results, whereby significant progress has been recorded for a number of targets and modest progress recorded on others.

Summary of lessons drawn from the implementation of PRS PRS focused on few priority sectors which did not fully meet the aspired development programme objectives; Implementation of PRS is not sufficient in ensuring sustained long term growth, so there is need for strategic investments that can make the economy grow and reduce poverty; Successes and benefits recorded in macro-economic performance and reforms laid foundation for addressing poverty reduction There is a need to strengthen LGAs in monitoring poverty reduction;

Summary of lessons drawn from the implementation of PRS (Cont.) PRS provided an opportunity for linkages between sectoral strategies and poverty reduction; PRS enhanced transparency and accountability in the management of public resources released for poverty reduction interventions; PRS approach has facilitated the implementation of government policy of fiscal decentralisation by channelling more funds to LGAS; PRS provided a platform for stakeholder consultations; and PRS has demonstrated the need to have clear link between the national policies and the budgetary resource allocation.

Objectives and issues which were considered during the Review process The overall objective was to update the original PRSP in a manner that will create more commitment, ownership and rally all the stakeholders behind it Specific objectives were;- To make PRS more comprehensive and pro poor To expand and deepen interventions to reduce poverty To create commitment and build consensus on the priority outcomes for poverty reduction

Principles which were considered during the Review process Be nationally owned and driven by national interests and the national agenda Be developed through a participatory/consultative process Build on what we have and not start a completely new PRS Set realistic and achievable operational outcomes Harmonize NSGRP with other Government Processes

Levels of Consultations Village and community Level District Level Regional Level National Level

The current NSGRP strategy framework Three broad clusters Broad outcomes Goals Operational targets Sub categories Cluster strategies Intervention Package Areas of collaboration Actors

MEDIUM TERM PLAN OBJECTIVES AND NSGRP FOCUS Consolidate macroeconomic stability by pursuing and sustaining pro-growth strategies and interventions that will yield sustainable and broad-based economic growth required in fighting poverty; Create conducive environment for private sector development; Improve and sustain quality of life and social well-being by paying more attention on equity and quality issues in the delivery of social services;

Medium Term Plan Objectives (Cont.) Foster and sustain good governance and accountability through combating crimes/corruption/insecurity and integrating future needs of peace enforcing organs into planning and budgeting process; Mainstream cross-cutting issues including gender equity, HIV/AIDS control, environmental protection and good governance actions into sector strategies and activities; Implement public sector reforms to entrench public accountability, transparency and efficiency in conducting government business, and enhancing broad-based participation in decision-making process;

Medium Term Plan Objectives (Cont.) Implement Pay Reform Programme in order to promote efficiency in the delivery of services in the public sector; Create employment opportunities through increased investment in the productive sectors, strategic economic infrastructure, and social services;. Increase resource allocation to identified poverty reduction cluster interventions.; and Allocate resources taking into account the needs of vulnerable groups.

NSGRP focus Major clusters strategies Growth and reduction of income poverty Improvement of quality of life and social well being Good governance and Accountability

NSGRP Departure from PRS NSGRP Focus on RESULTS/OUTCOME Inter-sectoral linkages, cross-sectoral collaboration & synergies Attention to mainstreaming cross-cutting issues More Attention to Governance & Accountability

NSGRP Depature from PRS (Cont.) Further aligned with MDGs, NEPAD NSGRP has five year framework Prioritization in terms of three clusters, broad outcomes, goals and cluster strategies

NSGRP STATUS AND WAYS FORWARD NSGRP preparation was launched in October 2003 during the Poverty Policy Week October 2003. The first round of consultations at different levels was completed in April 2004. The consolidation of stakeholders inputs and development of first draft was completed in August 2004. The second round of consultations on the first draft was completed in September 2004. The second draft of NSGRP was completed and availed in October 2004, and refined more in Nov. 2004 during PPW

Challenges Implementation Monitoring Financing

Implementation Challenges Link with/align with the Government budget Coherence of sector strategic plans with NSGRP Review of sector and District development plans in line with NSGRP

Implementation Challenges (cont.) Further mainstreaming of the cross cutting issues in sector and district plans Capacity Development Skills and knowledge under new outcome based approach. Coordination of implementing actors Implementation Mechanism

Monitoring challenges PMS review to reflect NSGRP PMS review to reflect the global commitment including MDGs Monitoring capacities Monitoring Skills and knowledge Systems of Monitoring (RDS,R&A, C&S, DSA) Monitoring systems coordination Capacity to collect, process, analyse and disseminate data Community participation in monitoring

Monitoring challenges ..cont. Deepening and institutionalization of stakeholders’ consultations. Link sector M&E to the PMS Monitoring indicators Determine both quantitative and qualitative indicators Determine accuracy, relevance, frequency and availability of data

Financing Challenges Domestic sources Improved measures of revenue collections External source (Borrowing, Grants, Aid) Predictability of external sources Reliability (honoring pledges) Resources allocation Budget for NSGRP versus Non NSGRP

Financing Challenges (cont.) Resources utilization Effectiveness and efficiency in resources utilization (absorption capacity) Accountability and transparency of resources utilization to stakeholders

The Way forward for NSGRP Training on skills enhancement for key stakeholders in poverty and policy related areas and changing the mind set; Translate NSGRP in Swahili language and prepare popular versions, posters, leaflets etc., in order to strengthen dissemination, advocacy and sensitization of NSGRP; Review the PMS and develop PMMP in line with NSGRP;

Way forward for NSGRP (Cont.) Develop implementation framework for NSGRP to guide preparations of MDAs and LGAs implementation plans; Prepare Communication Strategy and its implementation plan; Strengthening capacity to implement the NSGRP, to collect, process, analyse and disseminate data for policy making; and Prepare Annual NSGRP Progress Reports (annual review), to evaluate annual performance and for annual budgeting process.

Way forward for NSGRP (Cont.) Series of meetings to enhance intersectoral collaboration Looking the ways and means to enhance inter sectoral linkages and tapping the synergies and cross sectoral collaboration. Thematic discussion among the stakeholders in order to enhance the understanding of opportunities and challenges. Support sectors to align SDPs with NSGRP

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