Latin America & Caribbean | World Bank

Brazil - Third VIGISUS Project : disease surveillance and control

Andean Countries - Additional Financing for the Adaptation to the Impact of Rapid Glacier Retreat in the Tropical Andes Project

Brazil - Third VIGISUS Project : disease surveillance and control

Nicaragua - Health System Strengthening and Response to Epidemiological Emergencies Project

Paraguay - Biodiversity Conservation Project

Peru - Safe and Sustainable Transport Project

Colombia - Integrated National Adaptation Program Project

Argentina - GEF Sustainable and Transport and Air Quality Project

Brazil - Additional Financing for the Sao Paulo Trains and Signaling Project

Female-owned firms in Latin America : characteristics, performance, and obstacles to growth

This paper examines the characteristics and performance of female-owned firms in Latin America. Data from firm surveys show that female-owned firms tend to be smaller than male-owned firms in terms of employees, sales, costs, and physical capital. Female-owned firms also have lower profits than male-owned firms, but for larger firms this difference disappears after controlling for labor and capital inputs. Medium-size and large female-owned firms are as productive as male-owned firms of the same size, although micro and small female-owned firms are less productive than male-owned firms. There is no evidence that the differences between female and male-owned firms are due to differences in access to finance or regulatory burdens. However, this paper finds a negative correlation between child care and household obligations and female-owned firm size and performance.

Nicaragua - Additional Financing for the Land Administration Project (PRODEP)

Brazil - Second Bolsa Familia Project

Andean Countries - Additional Financing of the Adaptation to the Impact of Rapid Glacier Retreat in the Tropical Andes Project

Colombia - Development Policy Loan (DPL) on Promoting an Inclusive, Equitable and Efficient Social Protection System Project

Brazil - Second Bolsa Familia Adaptable Program Loan Project : social assessment and indigenous peoples plan

The Second Bolso Familia Project in Brazil is targeted to address social exclusion by making cash transfers to women in extremely poor households, to provide an income floor and it is used as an incentive for their children to attend school and health programs. Conflicts with local governments may be pervasive, especially around land tenure issues. Hence, the importance of early involvement of the communities in the first planning steps. When conflicts are too acute, the registration was delegated to third parties such as trained local Non-Government Organizations (NGOs). Given the lack of identification (ID), the program has simplified its ID requirement to the presentation of any one of birth certificate, marriage certificate, voting card or any nationally recognized ID. In addition, the program managers are encouraged to work in collaboration with Ministry of Justice, Funda O Nacional Do Dio (FUNAI) and the civil registry. When families are not nuclear, the program seeks to identify women as the beneficiaries. In all cases, after discussion with community leadership, the leaders accepted that women receive the benefit. When adequate health or education services are not available, the program acknowledges their absence and the difficulty/impossibility to comply with conditionality's. Additional consultations are necessary to identify who are the most vulnerable families, who really need cash transfers (i.e. those living close to urban centers or who cannot produce their own food or who are facing high vulnerability situations such as acute malnutrition). In areas which function on barter system, income-based poverty as defined by the Cadastro Unico may need to be revised so as to not contradict the organization of these groups. FUNAI can help local managers to identify most vulnerable ethnic groups. Communities with high levels of infant mortality and child malnutrition will receive priority. Program managers need to understand inter-ethnic conflicts (often because of land tenure issues) before entering communities so as to register the neediest families and not only the best articulated and organized.

Guatemala - Expanding Opportunities for Vunerable Groups Project

The objective of the Expanding Opportunities for Vunerable Groups Project for Guatemala is to improve use of education, health, and nutrition services by the extreme poor in targeted municipalities. There are four components to the project: (a) strengthening management processes, monitoring and control mechanisms of Mi Familia Progresa (MiFaPro), and creating mechanisms to gather information, generate knowledge and define a mid-term social protection strategy; (b) ensuring access to a basic package of health and nutrition services to vulnerable households in 70 prioritized municipalities; (c) improving key rural roads in 46 municipalities to connect families to services and markets and promoting productive infrastructure through irrigation and water subprojects, enhancing the management capacity of FONADES (National Development Fund - Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo), and enhancing municipal capacity to implement and maintain rural infrastructure; and (d) supporting the Government in coordinating the proposed operation and improve its capacity to oversee foreign investment operations.

Mexico - Economic Policies in Response to the Global Crisis Development Policy Loan Project

Brazil - Second Bolsa Familia Project

Guatemala: US$114.5 Million to Expand Opportunities for Most Vulnerable Groups

2009-11-23T22:47:15.000Z

Contacts:

In Washington:

Gabriela Aguilar

(202) 473-4019

gaguilar@worldbank.org

Washington, D.C., 23 November 2009 – The World Bank’s Board of Directors approved a US$114.5 million loan to expand opportunities for Guatemala’s most vulnerable groups and contribute to improving the quality of life for people living in 130 municipalities (mostly rural), which are to benefit from a cash transfer program called My Family Makes Progress (Mi Familia Progresa, MiFaPRo) during 2010.

The loan supports the Guatemalan government’s efforts to reduce extreme poverty and inequality in the country, optimizing MiFaPRo’s effectiveness through greater attention to educational, sanitary and nutritional services in the country’s poorest communities, which harbor some 960,000 homes.

The Project also contemplates improvements to key rural roads in 46 poor municipalities, in order to connect families with services and markets, and to promote productive infrastructure through irrigation and water sub-projects. Aid will mostly focus on improving nutrition and health services in 70 vulnerable communities.

“Within the last decade, Guatemala has managed to make progress. However, challenges still remain and the government is tackling them in a scenario of global crisis. This loan is aligned with government priorities and needs, contributes to improving the quality of life of the poorest people and to human capital formation; it will also strengthen the government’s capacity to coordinate programs”, Laura Frigenti, World Bank Director for Central America, indicated.

This multi-sector project aids the government in areas where the World Bank has ample experience, such as conditional cash transfers and rural development. It will also contribute to strengthening MiFaPRo’s administrative and monitoring processes, as well as its control mechanisms, and to the creation of mechanisms to gather information, generate knowledge and define a mid-term social protection strategy.

The fixed term loan has a 23.5 year maturity period. The grace period is 8.5 years.

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To obtain more information on the World Bank’s work in Guatemala, please visit:

http://www.bancomundial.org.gt

For more information, please visit the Projects website.

The project Expanding Opportunities for Vunerable Groups has changed to Active

2009-11-22T05:00:00.000Z

The project Expanding Opportunities for Vunerable Groups has changed to Active. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

World Bank’s Fund for Poorest Countries Delivers Record Support during Global Crisis

2009-11-20T20:02:50.000Z

Contact:

In Washington: Angela Furtado (202) 473-1909

Afurtado@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, November 20, 2009 – World Bank management and representatives of 45 donor and 12 borrowing countries today concluded a three-day review of the performance of the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s fund for the 79 poorest countries, that has delivered record support during the global economic crisis.

The three-day review of the 15^th replenishment period (IDA15), which covers funding from July 2008 to June 2011, included discussions on IDA’s policy and financial framework, the impact of the crisis on low-income countries, and measures to ensure swifter and more effective support to countries affected by crises. In particular, the group advanced a proposal for the creation of a Crisis Response Window in IDA15.

“We are very encouraged by donors’ and partners’ recognition of IDA’s overall performance and effective response to the global economic crisis,” said World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick. “Although IDA operates under a fixed, three-year financial envelope, we have leaned forward, including through front-loaded and fast-tracked assistance, to scale up support to poor countries severely hit by the crisis. As a result, IDA’s lending commitments in the course of IDA15 have hit record levels.”

Following recent calls from the G-20 and the Development Committee, the Mid-Term Review of IDA15 advanced a proposal for the creation of a dedicated crisis response window in IDA to assist low income countries mitigate the impact of the global economic crisis.

“The financial gap created by the global crisis not only jeopardizes the progress made by countries, such as Rwanda, whose governments have been working hard to implement important reforms, it also reduces our chances of achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. A crisis response window in IDA15 will help us mitigate the short-term impacts of crises without sacrificing long-term efforts,” said James Musoni, Rwanda’s Finance and Economic Planning Minister, who participated in discussions about the impact of the crisis on low-income countries.

“We are delighted by the support of donors and partners for the creation of a crisis window within IDA15,” said Zoellick. “We will now be submitting the proposal to the IDA Board of Directors for approval.”

“While there are signs of recovery in developed countries, the risk of deepening poverty remains real in IDA countries.” said Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, World Bank Managing Director and Chair of the IDA15 Mid-Term Review. The crisis response window in IDA15 would provide additional funding for the protection of core spending on health, education, safety nets, infrastructure and agriculture in IDA-only countries.

Record Lending and Effective Response to the Crisis

In the first 15 months of IDA15 (July 2008-October 2009), IDA commitments reached a record level of $16.9 billion; a 50 percent increase over the comparable period in IDA14. This reflects a strong IDA15 replenishment size (which increased by 30 percent to $42 billion) as well as IDA’s front-loading and fast-tracking of operations in response to the financial crisis. IDA’s disbursements in the same period were close to $14 billion, with a sharp increase in the first four months of FY10 (July 2009-October 2009) when they reached $4.6 billion compared to $2.4 billion a year earlier.

Africa continued to be IDA’s largest recipient, with 55 percent of total commitments and 46 percent of total disbursements. South Asia came in second, accounting for about a third of commitments and disbursements.

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For more information on IDA and access to the technical papers prepared

for the IDA15 Mid-Term Review, please visit: www.worldbank.org/ida

The project CO DPL on Promoting an Inclusive, Equitable and Efficient Social Protection System is now in the pipeline.

2009-11-20T05:00:00.000Z

The project CO DPL on Promoting an Inclusive, Equitable and Efficient Social Protection System is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

Guatemala: Expanding Opportunities for Vulnerable Groups Project

2009-11-19T21:49:42.000Z

WASHINGTON, November 19, 2009 - The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved the following project:

IBRD Loan: US$114.5 million equivalent

Terms: Maturity = 23.5 years; Grace Period = 8.5 years

Project ID: P107416

Project Description: The Expanding Opportunities for Vulnerable Groups Project aims to improve the use of education, health, and nutrition services by the extreme poor in targeted municipalities.

Media Contact

Gabriela Aguilar

202-473-6768

gaguilar2@worldbank.org

For more project information, please visit:

http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=40941&menuPK=228424&Projectid=P107416

The project Access to Finance has changed to Dropped

2009-11-18T05:00:00.000Z

The project Access to Finance has changed to Dropped. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project First Programmatic Development Policy Loan for Sustainable Environmental Management has changed to Closed

2009-11-18T05:00:00.000Z

The project First Programmatic Development Policy Loan for Sustainable Environmental Management has changed to Closed. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

This development policy loan (DPL) is the first operation in a series of two loans which span the period 2008-2010 and aim to support the Government of Brazi (GoB) efforts to (i) improve the effectiveness and efficiency of policies and guidelines of the Brazilian environmental management system; and (ii) further integrate principles of environmentally sustainable development in the development agenda of key sectors. By focusing on these sectors, the Sustainable Environmental Management (SEM) DPL series will support the GoB commitment to implement a model of accelerated competitiveness and growth while assuring improved environmental and poverty outcomes, which are pillars of the 2008-2011 Country Partnership Strategy (CPS). In this way, the SEM DPL series supports the GoB concerted efforts to promote the sustainable management of agricultural lands, forests, and water resources; reduction of deforestation in the Amazon; reduction of the environmental degradation of land, water, and other resources which are key determinants of the well-being of the poor; and promotion of renewable.

World Bank Announces Landmark Policy on Access to Information

2009-11-17T22:22:13.000Z

Contacts:

Geetanjali Chopra

1 (202) 473-0243

gchopra@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17, 2009 – The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved the Bank’s new policy on access to information which positions the Bank as a transparency leader among international institutions. The policy was informed by extensive external and internal consultations held in 33 countries and through the Bank’s external website. It reflects the views of member countries, civil society organizations, academia, parliamentarians, media, the private sector, international organizations, donor agencies, and Bank staff.

The new policy represents a fundamental shift in the Bank’s approach to disclosure of information – moving from an approach that spells out what documents it can disclose to one under which the Bank will disclose any information in its possession that is not on a list of exceptions. The policy statement will be finalized in December 2009 and become effective on July 1, 2010. A progress report will be presented to the Board by the end of 2011.

“This paradigm shift underscores the Bank’s commitment to transparency and accountability and recognizes their fundamental importance to development and to achieving the Bank’s mission of overcoming poverty and improving development effectiveness,” said World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick.

“I am personally grateful to all of the civil society organizations, government officials, and citizens of our member countries who contributed their ideas and perspectives as we developed this new policy through a global consultation process. We have collectively come up with a policy that is in line with international best practice and opens up the development process by fostering public ownership, partnership, and participation in World Bank-supported operations from a wide range of stakeholders,” he added.

The policy on access to information provides for the disclosure of more information than ever before – on projects under preparation, projects under implementation, analytic and advisory activities (AAA), and Board proceedings. This information will be easily accessible on the World Bank’s external website and available through the InfoShop, public information centers, and the World Bank Group Archives.

At the same time, the policy strikes a balance between maximum access to information and respect for the confidentiality of information pertaining to its clients, shareholders, employees, and other parties.

Recognizing that the sensitivity of some information declines over time, the policy provides for the eventual declassification and disclosure of restricted information over a period of five, 10 or 20 years, depending upon information type.

“Openness promotes inclusiveness, engagement with stakeholders and public oversight of Bank-supported operations,” said Jeff Gutman, Vice President, Operations Policy and Country Services Vice Presidency. “This in turn will strengthen participation in the design and implementation of projects and policies and improve development outcomes,” he added.

The new policy includes clear procedures for responding to requests for information, as well as an appeals mechanism for requesters who believe that the Bank has unreasonably denied access to information that should be publicly available. This appeals mechanism includes review by an independent body consisting of international experts.

Over the next several months, the Bank will put in place measures that will enable effective and efficient implementation of the new access to information policy. Such measures include staff training; improving information management and technology systems; developing an effective document tracking system; strengthening the Archives Unit, the InfoShop, and the public information function in country offices; and establishing associated service standards.

The final policy statement incorporating comments from the Board will be issued in December 2009.

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Background

Over the past 15 years, the Bank’s policy on information disclosure has evolved in response to changes in the Bank’s business, the growing expectations of stakeholders, and the Bank’s continued commitment to enhancing transparency about its operations. The Executive Directors and Bank Management have periodically reviewed the policy and expanded its scope: for example, in 1993, 2001, and 2005.

For more information, please visit: www.worldbank.org

Dominican Republic: First Programmatic Public Finance and Social Sector Development Policy Loan

2009-11-17T18:44:44.000Z

WASHINGTON, November 17, 2009 - The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved the following project:

IBRD Loan: US$150 million equivalent

Terms: Maturity = 23 years; Grace Period = 12.5 years

Project ID: P115145

Project Description: The First Programmatic Public Finance and Social Sector Development Policy Loan for the Dominican Republic aims to improve the quality and efficiency of public spending, especially for poverty reduction and human development. Objectives include improving the efficiency and quantity of public services; and providing the fiscal space to fund priority social and investment programs.

Media Contact

Gabriela Aguilar

202-473-6768

gaguilar2@worldbank.org

For more project information, please visit:

http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=40941&menuPK=228424&Projectid=P115145

Dominican Republic: First Performance and Accountability of Social Sectors (PASS) Development Policy Loan

2009-11-17T18:43:48.000Z

WASHINGTON, November 17, 2009 - The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved the following project:

IBRD Loan: US$150 million equivalent

Terms: Maturity = 23 years; Grace Period = 12.5 years

Project ID: P116972

Project Description: The First Performance and Accountability of Social Sectors (PASS) Development Policy Loan for the Dominican Republic aims to improve results in social sectors (mainly social protection, education, and health), preserving in the short term, and enhancing in the medium term, the human capital of the poorest citizens. Objectives include: 1) enhancing the performance of social sectors to promote human capital (health, nutrition, education) for the poorest citizens through a fundamental redesign of the Government's Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT) program, and its articulation with critical actions in health and education; (ii) improving budget management to support the joint performance of the social sector within the CCT program, as part of the interim measures to protect critical aspects of social spending and support the required improvements in the supply of health, nutrition, and education services; (iii) supporting the gradual introduction of performance agreements in key social sector agencies; and (iv) enhancing transparency and oversight in social sectors.

Media Contact

Gabriela Aguilar

202-473-6768

gaguilar2@worldbank.org

For more project information, please visit:

http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=40941&menuPK=228424&Projectid=P116972

Dominican Republic: World Bank Approves US$300 Million to Support Social Sectors and Public Finance

2009-11-17T18:24:38.000Z

Contacts:

In Santo Domingo: Alejandra De La Paz (809) 566-6815

adelapaz@worldbank.org

In Washington: Gabriela Aguilar (202) 473-6768

gaguilar2@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, November 17, 2009— The World Bank Board of Directors today approved two loans totaling US$300 million to support reforms aimed at improving results in social sectors- mainly social protection, education and health- as well as the quality and efficiency of public spending, while mitigating the impact of the global downturn on Dominican Republic’s public finances.

“These operations will contribute to the Government’s efforts to reactivate the economy by helping to cover the fiscal gap for this year and by raising public investment, according to what is established in the budget approved by the National Congress,” said Vicente Bengoa, the Dominican Republic Minister of Finance.

The Public Finance and Social Sector and the First Performance and Accountability of Social Sectors Development Policy Loans (DPLs) are part of the World Bank’s 2010-2013 Country Partnership Strategy for the Dominican Republic and will support Government reforms in three main policy areas: quality and efficiency of public spending, fiscal sustainability, and social protection.

“The projects will help reduce the country’s vulnerability to future shocks by minimizing inefficient subsidies, recovering costs in the energy sector and improving tax and revenue administration,” said Yvonne Tsikata, World Bank Director for the Caribbean. “In addition, these projects will provide poor families better access to education, health and nutrition while enhancing results, transparency and accountability in social spending,” she added.

The First Performance and Accountability of Social Sectors DPL will support the following activities:

(a) Redesign the conditional cash transfer Solidaridad program to improve its focus on health and education benefiting the poorest citizens.

(b) Improve budget management to support the new Solidaridad program.

(c) Support the gradual introduction of performance-based budget management in social sectors, which will support better decision-making, including managerial flexibility, transparency and accountability.

(d) Upgrade the Financial Management Information System (SIGEF) to provide public access to timely and comprehensive budget information.

The Public Finance and Social Sector DPL will support a set of institutional reforms and specific development outcomes among them:

(a) Update the Dominican targeting instrument, (Sistema Unico de Beneficiarios, SIUBEN), to improve targeting of social spending benefiting the poorest.

(b) Adjust electricity subsidies so they are SIUBEN-based and not geography-based.

(d) Review tax exemptions and improve tax administration to improve fiscal sustainability.

“These new operations are aimed at supporting a series of reforms very necessary to promote greater competitiveness levels, foster a results-based public administration and protect the poorest citizens during this international crisis,” said Roby Senderowitsch, World Bank Country Manager for the Dominican Republic. “It is urgent for the Dominican Republic to preserve the human capital of the poor, especially through the protection of education and primary health care services and the Solidaridad Program, which already covers about two million people,” he added.

The two loans of US$150 million each will be directly disbursed to the national budget in one single tranche. The loans are fixed-spread, payable in 23 years, including a 12.5-year grace period.

For more information on the Public Finance and Social Sector DPL please click here

and on the First Performance and Accountability of Social Sectors DPL please click here

For more information about the World Bank in the Dominican Republic, please visit: www.worldbank.org/do

The project BZ Influenza Detection and Response (Stand alone Trust Fund) is now in the pipeline.

2009-11-17T05:00:00.000Z

The project BZ Influenza Detection and Response (Stand alone Trust Fund) is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project VIGISUS III Project - Disease Surveillance & Control is now in the pipeline.

2009-11-17T05:00:00.000Z

The project VIGISUS III Project - Disease Surveillance & Control is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Biodiversity Conservation - Dhekuana Nonoodo (GEF-MSP) has changed to Closed

2009-11-17T05:00:00.000Z

The project Biodiversity Conservation - Dhekuana Nonoodo (GEF-MSP) has changed to Closed. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Adaptation to the Impact of Rapid Glacier Retreat in the Tropical Andes Additional Financing is now in the pipeline.

2009-11-14T05:00:00.000Z

The project Adaptation to the Impact of Rapid Glacier Retreat in the Tropical Andes Additional Financing is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Sergipe Water Project is now in the pipeline.

2009-11-14T05:00:00.000Z

The project Sergipe Water Project is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

World Bank and Partners Award $4.8 Million to 26 Innovative Ideas to Save the Planet

2009-11-13T16:30:32.000Z

Contacts:

In Washington:

Edith Wilson, +1-202-473-1104

ewilson1@worldbank.org

Jonathan Daly, +1-202-458-2624

jdaly1@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, November 13, 2009—Close to $5 million in grant money has been awarded to 26 innovative climate adaptation projects, through the 2009 Global Development Marketplace, a global competitive grant program to fund innovation in development.

This year’s contest—‘100 Ideas to Save the Planet’— set a simple challenge: come up with one idea from your own community to help save the planet and its people from the effects of climate change. This ninth annual Development Marketplace was co-sponsored by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the World Bank.

This year’s event, which ran from November 10-13, featured 100 finalists from 47 countries selected from over 1,700 project proposals. The winning concepts announced today will be implemented in East Asia and the Pacific (5), Europe and Central Asia (2), Latin America (13), the Middle East, North and Sub-Saharan Africa (4) and South Asia (2).

“The Development Marketplace is an important part of our mission to break down funding barriers and promote innovative entrepreneurial ideas at the grass-roots level." said Monique Barbut, CEO and Chairperson of the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

Winning ideas receive up to $200,000 in seed money, as well as guidance, and technical support as projects move into implementation. More than this though, all participants benefit from being able to hone their project design skills; by participating in knowledge and skills development sessions designed to help make them better development practitioners on their return home—win or lose.

"Managing risks from climate change will require not only one hundred, but thousands of ideas from communities all over the world," said Katherine Sierra, Vice President of Sustainable Development at the World Bank. "This year’s contest was an opportunity to showcase the kind of creative thinking that can deliver tangible results in our work on climate adaptation. We will be watching how this year’s winners put their ideas into action."

Stand-out ideas from this year’s contest included:

· From Serbia: SZTR Sunce’s initiative to mitigate the effects of climate change induced bacterial blooms on commercial fishponds;

· From the Philippines: The University of the Philippines’ (Los Baños) ‘Bell and Bottle’ initiative – providing a low cost, high efficacy flood and landslide warning system;

· From Ecuador: International Network for Bamboo and Rattan’s idea to build elevated bamboo houses, essentially lifting communities in flood zones out of harm’s way

This year’s contest took place amid a wider pre-Copenhagen international discussion around climate change and its effects on developing countries. Many ideas combined traditional knowledge with 21st-century technology, as participants found creative ways to innovate, taking cues from both the ancient and the modern. Ideas included painting rocks around glaciers white to slow melting, to leveraging mobile telephony and SMS technology to strengthen disaster preparedness.

“Agriculture is where climate change, food security and poverty reduction intersect.” said Kanayo F. Nwanze, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). “The Development Marketplace is an excellent platform for scouting and collecting new ideas from diverse sources, fostering innovative solutions, and developing partnerships in support of climate change adaptation.”

Past winners have gone on to address pressing needs in their home communities. Many have seen their project concepts replicated elsewhere. The Kanchan Arsenic Filter project, a 2003 winner sponsored by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has been scaled up with compelling results. The project, first implemented in Nepal, has been expanded to Cambodia, Vietnam and Bangladesh. To date, over 7, 000 filter units have been distributed, serving 30,000 people in the region. Pump Aid, a 2006 winner of a $120,000 grant, went on to secure an additional $25 million to expand water and sanitation services to reach eight million people in Zimbabwe and Malawi over five years.

“I believe that Development Marketplace is a very good example of how to facilitate innovation – giving us tangible solutions on complex development issues like climate change adaptation,” said Ulla Toernaes, Danish Minister for Development Cooperation. “We have through our own experience seen how innovation has helped transform Denmark’s energy consumption patterns and created new business opportunities like wind energy.”

Speaking at the Development Marketplace award ceremony, Sanjay Pradhan, Vice President of the World Bank noted, “Among the World Bank's most important roles is scanning the horizon for innovative emerging ideas. Then our job is to identify, select and help scale up those innovative solutions. Development Marketplace winners over the years have proved the value of bringing fresh voices and ideas to the development discussion, and that it is possible to turn good ideas into tangible results.”

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About the Development Marketplace

The Development Marketplace is a competitive grant program that identifies and funds innovative, early-stage development projects with high potential for impact and replication. The program is supported by a consortium of partners including the World Bank.

This year’s contest gathered ideas around climate adaptation in developing countries, placing special focus on indigenous communities dealing with climate risks, climate adaptation and disaster risk management, and managing climate risks in ways that provide multiple benefits—eliciting ideas to help people deal with the effects of climate change, especially those living in some of the earth’s most vulnerable ecosystems.

A rigorous assessment by 200 specialists from within and outside the World Bank Group narrowed the list of 1,700 proposals to 100 finalists who were invited to present their ideas in Washington, D.C. this week. Since 1998, the Development Marketplace has awarded more than $61 million to initiatives identified through global, regional, and country competitions.

For more information about the Development Marketplace visit: http://www.developmentmarketplace.org

Visit our blog: http://blogs.worldbank.org/dmblog

Follow us on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/WorldBankDM

Visit our YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/DevMarketplace2009

Peru: Third Programmatic Fiscal Management and Competiveness Development Policy Loan

2009-11-12T22:54:57.000Z

WASHINGTON, November 12, 2009 - The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved the following project:

IBRD Loan: US$150 million

Terms: Maturity = 21 years; Grace Period = 8 years

Project ID: P106720

Project Description: The Peru Programmatic Fiscal Management and Competiveness Development Policy Loan was designed in close collaboration with the Government of Peru to help it deal with the short-term effects of the global financial crisis, while the administration continues to move forward with its medium-term economic and social agenda. The loan thus helps underpin economic growth and poverty relief in Peru, usually the first victims of an economic setback.

Media Contact

Stevan Jackson

(202) 458-5054

Sjackson@worldbank.org

For more project information, please visit:

http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/LACEXT/PERUEXTN/0,,menuPK:343629~pagePK:141159~piPK:141110~theSitePK:343623,00.html

Peru: US$ 150 Million to Bolster Fiscal Management and Competitiveness

2009-11-12T18:36:52.000Z

Contacts:

In Lima: Sandra Arzubiaga (511) 615-0660

sarzubiaga@worldbank.org

In Washington: Gabriela Aguilar (202) 473-4019

gaguilar@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, November 12, 2009 – The World Bank’s Executive Board approved a US$ 150 million loan today to bolster Peru’s fiscal management and competitiveness as part of its commitment to assisting the country during the post-financial crisis scenario.

This financial tool –the third installment in a series of four– was designed in close collaboration with the Government of Peru to help it deal with the short-term effects of the global financial crisis, while the administration continues to move forward with its medium-term economic and social agenda.

The loan thus helps underpin economic growth and poverty relief in Peru, usually the first victims of an economic setback. From 2003 to 2008, 60 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean were lifted out of poverty, but the financial crisis threatens to undo those advances.

“The government has not lost sight of the medium term goals in its agenda, continuing to improve the effectiveness of its fiscal management and supporting the competitiveness and integration of the country into the global economy,” noted Felipe Jaramillo, World Bank Regional Director for Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela.

Jaramillo added that the Peruvian government “has also made great strides towards the implementation of its Economic Crisis Plan, has improved legislation concerning state acquisitions, and has continued its policy of expanding international trade, which greatly contribute towards the fulfillment of the aforementioned goals”.

The objectives of the World Bank program include:

Strengthen the sustainability and transparency of the Peruvian government’s fiscal policy;
Simplification of the tax system geared towards small and medium enterprises;
Consolidation of advances made by the Regional and Local Public Investment Promotion Fund (FONIPREL, in Spanish);
Improve the efficiency and quality of public expenditure;
Strengthen the government’s e-government agenda;
Expand international trade and improve business environment, emphasizing small and medium enterprises, which are crucial for job creation.

The US$ 150 million in funding approved on Thursday will help cover the government’s financing needs. Conditions for the loan include a Libor + fixed margin rate, a 21 year maturity period and an 8 year grace period.

To obtain more information on the World Bank’s work in Peru, please visit:

http://www.bancomundial.org.pe

WB: Metrobus Wins Harvard University Award for Sustainable Transit Project in Mexico City

2009-11-12T14:53:31.000Z

Contacts:

In Washington: Patricia da Camara (202) 473-4019

pdacamara@worldbank.org

In Mexico City: Fernanda Zavaleta

(52 55) 5480-4252

fzavaleta@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, November 12, 2009 – Mexico City’s Metrobus project received today the 2009 Roy Family Award for Environmental Partnership from Harvard University. The award, presented every two years by the John F. Kennedy School of Government, celebrates outstanding public-private partnerships that enhance environmental quality through the use of novel and creative approaches. Metrobus is a sustainable transit project in one of the world’s most populated and congested cities.

The World Bank and its partners were also congratulated for their participation in the project. The partners include The Global Environment Facility (GEF)*, World Resources Institute, EMBARQ - The World Resources Institute Center for Sustainable Transport, Center for Sustainable Transport in Mexico, CEIBA, Shell Foundation, Caterpillar Foundation, and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

“Metrobus, which focuses on massive transport systems and better vehicle fuel efficiency, has shown to be a viable and economically efficient way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Gloria Grandolini, World Bank Director for Mexico. “Mexico is at the forefront when it comes to implementing this type of projects and once again demonstrates its willingness to improve the environment,” she added.

Metrobus is a 50-kilometer bus rapid transit system that runs through the main transport arteries of Mexico City.

It is estimated the new buses make more than 450,000 trips per day. By introducing cleaner, more efficient buses, and convincing many commuters to leave their cars at home, Metrobus has reduced carbon dioxide emissions from Mexico City traffic by an estimated 60,000 to 80,000 tons a year. In addition, the project removed 800 polluting minibuses from the road and encouraged greater use of sidewalks and bicycles throughout the city.

“The Metrobus project was the first climate and transport project implemented by the World Bank with GEF funding. It was also the first carbon finance project to receive actual payments for emission reductions through carbon funds,” said Walter Vergara, the World Bank’s project task manager. “This award recognizes the pioneering nature of the project and offers hope and very practical lessons for a low carbon future of the transport sector at a global level,” he added.

Metrobus was supported by two World Bank projects (Introduction of Climate Friendly Measures in Transport Project and Mexico City Insurgentes Bus Rapid Transit System Carbon Finance Project) financed with GEF grants totaling US$8.2 million and carbon finance purchases in the amount of US$2 million until 2013.

According to a recent World Bank study entitled “Low Carbon Development for Mexico,” transport is the country’s fastest growing sector in terms of energy consumption and gas emissions –around 90 percent of the total. Therefore, actions supported by Metrobus are a major contributor to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the country.

Metrobus was selected from a group of 30 projects from around the world. More than 20 experts from and outside Harvard reviewed the nominations.

The World Bank has supported Mexico’s efforts to attain a sustainable environment with loans totaling US$2.7 billion for the 2008-2009 period. The projects seek to integrate environmental considerations into public policies, in order to increase competitiveness and economic and social development while simultaneously protecting the environment. The program aims to reduce air and water pollution, promote efficient use of water and energy as well as land conservation and forest resources.

About the Global Environment Facility (GEF)

GEF unites 179 countries in partnership with international institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector to address global environmental issues while supporting national sustainable development initiatives. Today the GEF is the largest funder of projects to improve the global environment. An independent financial organization, the GEF provides grants for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and persistent organic pollutants. Since 1991, GEF has achieved a strong track record with developing countries and countries with economies in transition, providing US$8.6 billion in grants and leveraging US$36.1 billion in co-financing for more than 2,400 projects in over 165 countries. www.thegef.org

For more information on the Introduction of Climate Friendly Measures in Transport Project, please click here.

For more information on the Mexico City Insurgentes Bus Rapid Transit System Carbon Finance Project, please click here.

For more information on the World Bank’s work in Mexico, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org/mexico.

The project Social Protection TA Additional Financing has changed to Active

2009-11-06T05:00:00.000Z

The project Social Protection TA Additional Financing has changed to Active. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

This project paper concerns to provide additional financing to the Republic of Chile for the scaling-up of the Social Protection Technical Assistance Project. The additional financing will help finance the costs associated with the scale-up of the project's impact and development effectiveness. The additional activities to be financed are related to the further strengthening of the system of social protection in Chile through: (1) the continued operation and improvements in Chile Solidario, designed to support extremely poor families and other vulnerable individuals (including to date older adults living alone, the homeless, and children of prisoners); and (2) the recent extension of the system to cover young children through Chile Crece Contigo (integrated system of protection for young children).

Argentina Supports World Bank’s Capital Increase

2009-11-05T20:43:00.000Z

Contacts:

In Argentina: Yanina Budkin

ybudkin@worldbank.org

011-4316-9724

In Washington: Sergio Jellinek

sjellinek@worldbank.org

+1(202) 458-2841

BUENOS AIRES, November 5, 2009. Closing a four-day visit to Argentina, the World Bank Vice-president for Latin America and the Caribbean, Pamela Cox, expressed the multilateral institution’s support for the Argentine government’s efforts in social areas and investments in public works and infrastructure, as a way to strengthen the country’s prospects in the post global economic crisis scenario.

After a meeting with Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, the head of state of Argentina made clear her support for a capital increase of multilateral development organizations active in the region, among them the World Bank (WB), that would allow them to continue providing the financial resources needed by Latin American countries to consolidate their economic recovery after being impacted by the global financial crisis.

“Multilateral development banking institutions –both regional organizations and the World Bank – have contributed resources that were vital in alleviating the impact of a crisis that came from abroad. It is critical that these efforts continue in time, and it is therefore imperative that they be adequately capitalized,” said President Fernandez de Kirchner.

Between July 2008 and June 2009 the World Bank committed US$15 billion in lending to Latin America and the Caribbean -almost tripling its volume of funding to the region. More than 40 percent of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s (IBRD) resources – the WB facility devoted to medium income countries– were assigned to Latin America and the Caribbean. A similar level of cooperation is expected this year.

The World Bank’s Cox emphasized the effort undertaken by Argentina to build an institutional architecture that is more in line with the realities of today’s world, underlining that “Argentina’s role in the G-20 has been key in elevating the voice of Latin America at the global level. It is acknowledging the 21^st century’s new reality, where emerging economies are no longer part of the problem, on the contrary, they are part of the solution to problems that affect everyone, from a financial crisis that they did not cause, to climate change.”

Cox, accompanied by Pedro Alba, World Bank Director for Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay, also met Finance Minister Amado Boudou; Infrastructure Minister Julio de Vido and Health Minister Juan Luis Manzur; as well as Governors José Luis Gioja and Daniel Scioli.

As part of her trip, Cox also visited projects financed by the World Bank in the provinces of San Juan and Buenos Aires.

In San Juan, Cox and Governor Gioja looked at developing a World Bank program in the province aimed at promoting social inclusion. She also visited projects within the Additional Financing Small Farmer Development Project (PROINDER, in Spanish)[1] and the Argentina Rural Education Improvement Project (PROMER, in Spanish)[2].

In Buenos Aires province, she met Governor Scioli to assess the implementation of the Bank’s projects in the province and visit the Infrastructure Project for the Province of Buenos Aires, which, through a two-stage World Bank financing program of US$470 million, will contribute towards improving the provision of public service infrastructure in the province, promoting an increase in social equity through the improvement of infrastructure services.

The World Bank has a portfolio of 33 operations in Argentina, totaling US$5.5 billion, in the social, infrastructure, environment and economic development areas. As a global development institution, the World Bank offers a wide array of programs, innovative financing and knowledge exchange, all adapted to Argentina’s priority needs.

For more information on the World Bank’s work in Argentina, please visit: www.bancomundial.org.ar

[1] The PROINDER supports the improvement of the productive and organizational capacity of poor rural communities and the strengthening of the national and provincial rural development policies. The Bank supports the program through a US$75 million investment loan, granting a US$ 45 million renewal to enable the extension of the program to cover 72,000 households, from the 30,000 originally contemplated.

[2] The PROMER, financed with a US$ 150 million World Bank loan, supports the national government’s policy for rural education school materials, a priority area in the government’s educational policy that seeks to generate equal opportunities for all Argentines. The PROMER finances adequate training for rural teachers, school material and equipment supplies for students and teachers, and the improvement of rural school facilities.

Africa to Receive $1.1 billion in New Financing for Climate Action

2009-11-05T17:26:11.000Z

Contacts
In Barcelona: Robert Bisset +1 202 415 9646
rbisset@worldbank.org
In Washington: Roger Morier (202) 473-5675
rmorier@worldbank.org
Jeff Brez (202) 458-7628
jbrez@worldbank.org

Barcelona, 5 November, 2009— African efforts to invest in clean energy and prepare for the devastating consequences of climate change have received a boost with six countries set to receive $1.1 billion in new financing for climate action. From solar water heaters to wind power development and development policy planning, a range of new, scalable investments were given the green light at Trustee meetings of the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) in Washington.

Mozambique, Niger and Zambia will each receive up to $50-70 million in additional resources to help transform their economies through climate resilience. While, Morocco and South Africa will join Egypt in receiving very low-interest loans for $150 million, $500 million, and $300 million respectively, to strengthen their investments in clean energy in support of national priorities for low carbon development.

“The CIF support for Africa is coming at a critical time. Climate change has the potential to turn back the clock on hard won development gains across the continent,” said Katherine Sierra, Vice President of Sustainable Development at the World Bank. “CIF financing is teaching us how to work together with governments, civil society and the private sector to make truly transformational investments a reality. Each CIF dollar so far is leveraging an additional ten dollars in private and public investments,”she said.

The Climate Investment Funds are a unique pair of financing instruments designed to test what can be achieved to initiate transformational change towards low-carbon and climate-resilient development through scaled-up financing channeled through the Multilateral Development Banks. The two funds are the Clean Technology Fund (CTF), financing scaled up demonstration, deployment and transfer of low-carbon technologies for significant greenhouse gas reductions within country investment plans; and the Strategic Climate Fund (SCF), financing targeted programs in developing countries to pilot new climate or sectoral approaches with scaling-up potential.

In Africa, where access to energy is critical for economic growth and, therefore, poverty alleviation, the challenge is to help countries obtain the energy they need, without aggravating climate change.

South Africa will receive $500 million from the CTF to support its goals of generating four percent of the country’s electricity needs from renewable energy by 2013, improving energy efficiency by 12 percent by 2015 and providing 1 million households with solar water heating over the next five years. In support of the government’s strategies, the CTF financing will focus on scaling up grid-connected solar thermal power, utility-scale wind power development, solar water heaters, and demand-side energy efficiency. It is expected that the new investments will mobilize additional financing of about 1$ billion from bilateral and multilateral funders, as well as the private sector.

Morocco will receive $150 million from the CTF to help establish a national “Fond de Developpement de l’Energie (FDE - Energy Development Fund), a funding mechanism which will serve as a central pillar of the government’s strategy to enhance energy security and pursue low-carbon growth. With CTF support, it is expected that the FDE will mobilize additional financing in the range of $1.5 - 2 billion to help meet the country’s goals, including a 600% increase in wind power and a 15% reduction in energy use in buildings, industry, and transport by 2020.

Egypt will use the $300 million from the CTF to support relevant sector development policies and strategies, such as the Power Sector Strategy and Greater Cairo Urban Transport Strategy. In particular, the financing, endorsed by the CTF Trust Fund Committee earlier this year, will be used to develop wind power and low carbon urban transport systems.

Mozambique, Niger and Zambia all share dramatic risks in potential loss of land, life and livelihoods as a result of climate change. They will each receive up to $50-70 million in grants and/or very low interest loans to help integrate climate risk and resilience into their core development planning. They have been selected as pilot countries for the SCF’s Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR), which is still in early stages of implementation. Each country has demonstrated both the urgent need for resilience strategies and the commitment to rigorously integrate such strategies into their overall poverty reduction and development plans, including through national adaptation program of actions.

In Africa, the African Development Bank and the World Bank Group jointly implement the CIF, in cooperation with governments, United Nations and other partners.

Agreed in 2008, donor countries have pledged over US$6 billion to the CIF. The CTF and SCF trust fund committees have equal representation from developed and developing countries. Recognizing the imperative of climate change deliberations underway in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the CIF were designed as an interim measure to strengthen the global knowledge base for low-carbon and climate-resilient growth solutions.

The CIF, implemented jointly by the African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Inter-American Development Bank, International Finance Corporation, and World Bank, is comprised of the CTF to provide scaled up financing for the demonstration, deployment and transfer of low carbon technologies that have a significant potential for long-term greenhouse gas emissions savings; and the SCF, a suite of three targeted programs to pilot new approaches to climate action, each with potential for scaled up, transformational action: the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR), the Forest Investment Program (FIP) and the Program for Scaling Up Renewable Energy in Low Income Countries (SREP).

For more information, please visit www.climateinvestmentfunds.org

The project Land Administration Project (PRODEP) Additional Financing is now in the pipeline.

2009-11-04T05:00:00.000Z

The project Land Administration Project (PRODEP) Additional Financing is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Biodiversity Conservation Tabuleiro State Park (GEF-MSP) has changed to Closed

2009-11-02T05:00:00.000Z

The project Biodiversity Conservation Tabuleiro State Park (GEF-MSP) has changed to Closed. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

Chile: WB approves US$3 million for technical assistance to social protection

2009-10-30T13:40:42.000Z

Contacts:

In Buenos Aires: Yanina Budkin (54-11) 4316-9724

ybudkin@worldbank.org

In Washington: Gabriela Aguilar (202) 473-6768

gaguilar2@worldbank.org

Washington DC, October 29, 2009 – The Board of Directors of the World Bank today approved an additional financing of US$3 million to increase the effectiveness of the Social Protection Technical Assistance Project, approved in 2003. The new loan aims to strengthen the system of social protection in Chile through two programs: Chile Solidario, that reaches extremely poor families and other vulnerable individuals, and Chile Crece Contigo, that covers young children.

Between 2000 and 2006, the share of the population below the poverty line dropped from 20.2 percent to 13.7 percent, while the share of the extremely por population fell from 5.6 percent to 3.2 percent. Nevertheless, Chile continues to struggle with high inequlity and low social mobility. Consequently, the new project seeks to reduce poverty in the share of households below the poverty line.

In particular, the activities to be financed by the World Bank will support the extension and improvement of Chile Solidario, a program that reached 328,000 poor families as of June 2009; and will also include the program Chile Crece Contigo, that targets children under 4 year of age.

The Project consists of the following components:

1. Design, upgrading and implementation of the Integrated System of Social Information (SIIS), that would be extended to incorporate the programs of Chile Crece Contigo;

2. Staff training to strengthen the capacities of MIDEPLAN and other agencies involved, in order to develop, implement and monitor the system of social protection.; as well as carrying out capacity building activities in Municipalities to improve the implementation of the programs;

3. Strengthening capacities to improve the analysis, evaluation and monitoring of social programs;

4. Institutional strengthening of MIDEPLAN, in particular, of the units in charge of coordination and evaluation of the social protection system.

The US$3 million variable-spread loan has a final maturity of 4 years and includes a grace period of 18 months.

For more information about the project, please visit:

http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=40941&menuPK=228424&Projectid=P114774

For more information about the World Bank in Chile, please visit:

www.bancomundial.cl

The project Finance and Private Sector Development has changed to Closed

2009-10-30T04:00:00.000Z

The project Finance and Private Sector Development has changed to Closed. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The Financial Sector Development Policy loan Program for Colombia will support sustainable growth and alleviation of poverty by: a) strengthening the financial system to prevent disruptive and costly financial crises; and b) consolidating the securities markets as a pillar of economic growth to address the needs of individuals and the productive sector. The Government of Columbia (GoC) is facing significant macroeconomic challenges from the current global financial crisis, which has resulted in lower capital inflows and increased borrowing costs. Recent growth and poverty reduction in Colombia has been supported by a stable expansion of the financial system, following the financial crisis that Colombia suffered at the end of the 1990s. As the ongoing global crisis impacts Colombia, the GoC is committed to preserving these gains in financial sector development as part of its broader development strategy. This financing will provide support for the two pronged combined approach the government has been implementing to tackle, in the short run, the impact of the international crisis in the Colombian financial sector, while at the same time proceed with the reforms needed to further develop financial markets in the long run. GoC commitment to face these issues and the soundness of the approach as well as the overall impact of these reforms in the Colombian economy underpin the support of this loan. The request of this loan is part of the strategy of the GoC, which has increased its funding from multilateral organizations in the face of a deterioration of the external environment. In May 2009, Colombia obtained US$10.5 billion as a one-year precautionary arrangement under the International Monetary Funds (IMF's) Flexible Credit Line (FCL). Collaboration with other multilaterals is fluid. In particular, World Bank and IMF staff maintains strong coordination and cooperation on both macroeconomic issues as well as financial sector issues.

The project Pilot Community Development Additional Financing has changed to Closed

2009-10-30T04:00:00.000Z

The project Pilot Community Development Additional Financing has changed to Closed. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Pilot Community Development Project has changed to Closed

2009-10-30T04:00:00.000Z

The project Pilot Community Development Project has changed to Closed. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The Pilot Community Development Project for Paraguay will continue to support - through a decentralized, participatory and bottom-up development approach - (i) small productive income-generating and community development subprojects for poor communities, and (ii) capacity-building of local institutions and beneficiary organizations in the identification, design and implementation of these activities. The additional financing will support the following three components: (a) Community development sub-projects. Grants for small-scale demand-driven sub-projects prepared and submitted by groups of eligible beneficiaries. sub- projects will include income generating sub-project, as well as community development sub-projects for activities that will complement productive investments. (b) Capacity-building and institutional development. Strengthen local community's capacity to design, implement and monitor community development activities and to facilitate their participation in overall project implementation. This component will support services, training and organizational development, and the implementation of a participatory monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system. (c) Project management, monitoring and evaluation. Support the Project Coordination Unit (PCU) to coordinate the technical and administrative aspects, oversee implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Project, and to carry out specialized studies. These studies will include at least the following: (i) social and economic inclusion; (ii) base line studies; (iii) additional sector specific studies. The main change is an expansion of the scope of the Project, as part of the process of scaling up the poverty impacts, to include an additional five Departments - Caaguazu, Central, Cordillera, Guaira and Paraguari. The additional Departments will expand the project's reach to about 60 percent of the country's overall population, and expand his target population of the project close to 60 percent of the country's population living in extreme poverty (up from the approximately 15 percent of the country's population in extreme poverty targeted under the Ongoing Project). The Mid-Term Evaluation as well as recent social monitoring reviews indicated that the sub-projects funded during the ongoing Project increased beneficiary incomes. Existing data from a recent impact evaluation show substantial changes in outcome variables for participants. There has been a significant improvement in economic variables of participants, compared to non-participants, particularly regarding (i) wellbeing, (ii) employment, and (iii) asset ownership. Other benefits include better participation in schooling, more confidence in community and stronger measures of social capital.

Chile: Social Protection Technical Assistance Additional Financing

2009-10-29T18:21:49.000Z

WASHINGTON, October 29, 2009 - The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved the following project:

IBRD Loan: US$3 million

Terms: Maturity = 4 years; Grace Period = 1.5 years

Project ID: P114774

Project Description: Additional financing for the Social Protection Technical Assistance Project in Chile aims to strengthen the system of social protection in Chile through the continued operation and improvements in Chile Solidario, which support extremely poor families and other vulnerable individuals (including to date older adults living alone, the homeless, and children of prisoners), and the recent extension of the system to cover young children through Chile Crece Contigo (integrated system of protection for young children).

Media Contact

Gabriela Aguilar

(202) 473-67-68

gaguilar@worldbank.org

For more project information, please visit: http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=40941&menuPK=228424&Projectid=P114774

The project Urban Transport in Metropolitan Areas has changed to Active

2009-10-29T04:00:00.000Z

The project Urban Transport in Metropolitan Areas has changed to Active. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The objective of the Metropolitan Areas Urban Transport Project is to improve the quality and sustainability of urban transport systems in Argentine metropolitan areas, through the improvement of sectoral decision making frameworks and by giving priority to public transport modes in the urban transport sector. There are five components to the project, the first component being creation of a Metropolitan Transport Agency (MTA) for the Buenos Aires metropolitan area. The objective of this component is to strengthen the capacity for transportation planning and management at the metropolitan level. This component will prepare the legal, technical, financial, and institutional conditions for the creation of a MTA. The second component is the urban transport improvements in Argentina's medium size metropolitan areas. The objective of this component is to enhance the mobility conditions of selected Argentina's medium size metropolitan areas. This component addresses sectoral issues such as the underinvestment in road maintenance and road infrastructure, increased traffic congestion in urban areas, the decreasing quality of public transport service and the limited intermodal integration. The third component is the public transport access and modal integration in Buenos Aires metropolitan area. This component provides an integral strategy to improve service quality by acting simultaneously on bus-train physical integration, accessibility to stations, railway signaling improvements, and rail-road crossings. The fourth component is the sectoral training: urban transport planning master. The objective of this component is to improve academic training in urban transport. The component will design a postgraduate program (masters) in urban transport including all the component disciplines such as engineering, planning, economics, etc. Finally, the fifth component is the project management.

The project Rio de Janeiro Public Sector Modernization is now in the pipeline.

2009-10-27T04:00:00.000Z

The project Rio de Janeiro Public Sector Modernization is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

World Bank: Green Growth is Possible in Mexico, Report Concludes

2009-10-26T13:49:24.000Z

Contacts:

In Washington: Patricia da Camara

(202) 473-4019

pdacamara@worldbank.org

In Mexico City: Fernanda Zavaleta

(52 55) 5480-4252

fzavaleta@worldbank.org

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, October 26, 2009 –Mexico could reduce its carbon (CO₂) emissions by at least 42 percent (or 477 million tons) per year by 2030 without sacrificing economic development, a World Bank study on low-carbon development in Mexico concluded.

The report was presented to 120 legislators from major economies at the GLOBE Copenhagen Legislators Forum organized by the Global Legislators Organisation (GLOBE) and the COM+ Alliance of Communicators for Sustainable Development. The Forum took place at a critical scenario ahead of the formal United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations in December in this city.

Low-Carbon Development for Mexico identifies a series of 40 actions for reducing CO₂ emissions that could be implemented in the short-term at low costs. Significant opportunities for CO₂ reduction were identified in the areas of transport, power generation, oil and gas, agriculture and forestry, and energy efficiency. Implementing these initiatives on a larger scale over the next 20 years, however, will require changes to the country’s financial, regulatory and institutional frameworks.

“Mexico has recognized it will be heavily impacted by the effects of climate change,” said Ricardo Ochoa, Head of the International Affairs Unit of Mexico’s Ministry of Finance. “The good news is it has decided to act accordingly. That means that despite not being a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions globally, it wants to send a signal that it is important to take action.”

Approximately 61 percent of Mexico’s CO₂ emissions are a result of energy consumption, especially in the transportation, industrial, and residential and commercial sectors. An additional 21 percent of emissions come from activities related to land use change, including deforestation. Solid and liquid waste management accounts for another 10 percent.

“Few countries in the world have done as much as Mexico to demonstrate a willingness to contribute to improving the environment and preventing climate change. We are confident that the areas of opportunity outlined in this study will help the country strengthen its development strategy and move toward building a low-carbon future,” said Laura Tuck, World Bank Sector Director for Sustainable Development in the Latin America and the Caribbean region.

Mexico is one of the most active participants in the international dialogue on climate change, and has demonstrated its resolve to address this issue by designing a Special Climate Change Program—the Programa Especial de Cambio Climático (PECC), which sets the country’s long-term climate change agenda, together with medium-term goals for adaptation and mitigation.

“A low-carbon development model in Mexico is a real and tangible possibility that can be implemented in the near term at relatively low economic and financial costs, but one that will require new incentives to overcome institutional, regulatory, and behavioral barriers,” stated Todd M. Johnson, a World Bank energy specialist and author of the study along with Claudio Alatorre, Zayra Romo and Feng Liu.

The most efficient way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, therefore, is through viable and economically efficient actions in the following areas:

Transport: The most cost-effective actions aim to increase the percentage of trips by public transportation and improve the efficiency of the vehicular fleet. The study recommends offering private concessions and integrating public transportation and urban planning efforts at the municipal and federal levels. Such initiatives could significantly reduce emissions in this sector while improving access to homes, schools, shopping, reducing congestion and travel times, and bringing health benefits to all Mexicans.

Agriculture and Forestry: A significant part of the CO₂ emissions in Mexico arises from deforestation and land degradation. The actions in this sector include reducing deforestation, and promoting afforestation and reforestation through improved management of forests and commercial plantations.

· Electric Power and Oil and Gas: Mexico’s demand for electric power and oil and gas is projected to increase substantially in the coming years. Fossil-fuel power plants could be replaced with cleaner and renewable technologies such as hydro, wind (especially in Oaxaca), geothermal and biomass. There is also large cogeneration potential in Pemex facilities that could provide up to 6 percent of total power capacity in Mexico.

Energy Efficiency: Promoting efficient consumption in the public, residential, commercial and industrial sectors is a priority for reducing carbon emissions. These sectors combined account for 95 percent of electricity consumption and 48 percent of the total energy Mexico consumes. The energy efficiency of industrial motors and furnaces could be improved and several industries could tap their potential for industrial cogeneration.

The study points out that these types of actions could generate important collateral benefits. All of the proposed interventions would have a positive impact on energy security, health and environmental protection and some could stimulate the transfer of financial resources from carbon credits and international programs, such as the Clean Investment Funds, that promote efforts to mitigate climate change.

Low-Carbon Development for Mexico was carried out in parallel with Low Carbon, High Growth: Latin American Responses to Climate Change, the World Bank’s most important annual publication for Latin America and the Caribbean. Many of the findings of the Mexico study were presented in this report, which analyzes the repercussions of climate change in this most diverse region of the world and suggests steps countries can take to reduce its impacts.

World Bank Support to Mexico’s Low-Carbon Development Strategy

In order to respond to the climate change challenge, the World Bank's Executive Board of Directors approved between 2008 and 2009 four loans totaling US$2.7 billion to support environmental sustainability in Mexico, with special emphasis on climate change.

The strategy seeks to integrate environmental considerations into public policies, in order to increase competitiveness and economic and social development while simultaneously protecting the environment. The program aims to reduce air and water pollution, promote efficient use of water and energy as well as land conservation and forest resources.

For more information about this study and the World Bank’s work in Mexico, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org/mx

For more information about the GLOBE Copenhagen Legislators Forum, please visit:

http://copenhagen.globeinternational.org/

Film Screening of BBC Documentary "Cash in Hand" on Wednesday, October 28th at 12 PM in J1-050 Auditorium

2009-10-23T19:53:31.000Z

Please join us for the World Bank premiere of this film and post-documentary debate with CCT experts.

Cash in Hand: A BBC Documentary

A new form of fighting poverty is sweeping the developing world. Conditional Cash Transfers (CCTs), which began in Latin America in the mid-90s, give poor families money on condition that they spend it on their children’s health and education. This two part BBC World Service series Cash in Hand investigates CCTs in social welfare, and tests the claim that it could help world’s poorest people escape the worst effects of the global recession.

Chair: Sergio Jellinek, Communications Manager, Latin America & Caribbean Region, World Bank

Opening: Pamela Cox, Regional Vice President, Latin America & Caribbean Region, World Bank

Keynote: Santiago Levy Algazi, Vice President, Sectors and Knowledge, Inter-American Development Bank

Discussant: Helena Ribe, Sector Manager, Social Protection, World Bank

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

12:00-2:00 PM

A light lunch will be served

Auditorium J1-050

World Bank J Building

18th Street and Pennsylvania, NW

RSVP infoshopevents@worldbank.org

This event is sponsored by the Infoshop, the Regional Human Development Department (LCSHD) and External Affairs (LCREA)

WB/Mexico: US$1.5 Billion to Stimulate Green Growth

2009-10-21T13:24:33.000Z

Contacts:

In Washington: Gabriela Aguilar

(202) 473 6768

gaguilar2@worldbank.org

In Mexico: Fernanda Zavaleta

(52-55) 54804200

fzavaleta@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, DC, October 20, 2009 – The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved today a US$1.5 billion loan aimed to develop public policies to support the stimulus of the economy while strengthening the framework for long-term sustainable growth. In order to achieve this, regulatory, monitoring and financial frameworks will be developed for low greenhouse emissions evolution of the urban transport and energy sectors, key to generate a low carbon growth model.

These implementations will try to create a favorable investment framework in public and private sectors in the areas of clean and renewable energy, massive transport systems and associated technologies. These investments will tend to stimulate the economy in the short term, while improvements in urban mobility and energy efficiency will increase the perspective for productive growth in the medium term.

“The World Bank’s support and close collaboration will help the government live up to its public commitment to reduce emissions in the country. Besides having ratified the United Nation’s Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol, our country is one of the first developing countries to commit to a specific reduction of emissions through the use of clean and efficient energies,” said Juan Rafael Elvira Quezada, Mexico’s Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources.

The three Policy Areas in which the Bank’s support will be centered on are:

A comprehensive policy framework for the reduction of emissions across sectors;
Enabling and monitoring framework for the reduction of emissions in urban transport and energy; and,
Establishment of financing mechanisms to facilitate the reduction of emissions in transport and energy.

"This loan supports the Government of Mexico as it implements a uniquely forward-looking set of policies. We recognize and value that even in the face of a difficult global economic situation the government set its efforts to reduce emissions in the long term and to reach sustainable growth”, said Gloria Grandolini, World Bank Country Director for Mexico and Colombia.

The project will support the Special Climate Change Program (PECC) approved this year by the Mexican government. The PECC promotes sustainable sectorial policies as well as initiatives and regulations aimed to reduce greenhouse emission gases. For example, it will support government initiatives -implemented in response to the economic crisis- to invest in infrastructure, backed by policies, that will consolidate the sustainable growth of the Mexican economy.

The World Bank recognizes that ensuring environmental sustainability and strengthening Mexican institutions in order to reach these objectives on inter sectorial levels is essential for the country’s development. Facing this challenge through measures in mitigation, as the improvements in the clean urban transport services propose, in order to reach greater levels of energy efficiency and promote the use of renewable energy will have positive effects on poverty and inequality, as they will increase accessibility and availability of these services. At the same time, these actions will have a positive effect on the country’s competitiveness, particularly in the energy sector.

The entity in charge of implementing the loan is the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, who has designated the National Savings and Financial Services Bank (BANSEFI) as the financial agent. It is a single tranche Development policy Loan with a variable-spread loan (6 month LIBOR), to be paid in 17 years with a 16.5 year grace period. A 0.25% Font end Fee (disbursement fee) has been agreed. The project is expected to be completed by May 2011 and will be supported by a wide array of technical assistance support.

For more information on the World Bank and México, please visit:

http://www.bancomundial.org.mx

Uruguay: Third Basic Education Quality Improvement Project

2009-10-20T22:09:23.000Z

WASHINGTON, October 20, 2009 - The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved the following project:

Uruguay: Third Basic Education Quality Improvement Project

IBRD Loan: US$29.9 million

Terms: Maturity = 22.5 years; Grace Period = 13 years

Project ID: P111662

Project Description: The Basic Education Quality Improvement Project in Uruguay will increase the equity, quality and efficiency of preschool and primary education in Uruguay. This will be achieved through school-level interventions to raise education quality in schools servicing socio-economically disadvantaged students, the enhancement of the teacher training systems and the introduction of new teaching and learning instruments in the classroom, and an increase in the efficiency of primary education institutions.

Media Contact

Stevan Jackson

(202) 458-5054

Sjackson@worldbank.org

For more project information, please visit: http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/LACEXT/URUGUAYEXTN/0,,menuPK:331615~pagePK:141159~piPK:141110~theSitePK:331609,00.html

For more information, please visit the Projects website.

Mexico: Framework for Green Growth

2009-10-20T22:05:37.000Z

WASHINGTON, October 20, 2009 - The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved the following project:

Mexico: Framework for Green Growth

IBRD Loan: US$1.504 billion

Terms: Maturity = 17 years; Grace Period = 16.5 years

Project ID: P115608

Project Description: The objective of the Framework for Green Growth is to support the Government of Mexico's program to further develop the regulatory, monitoring and financial framework for low emissions evolution of the transport and energy sectors. To address the challenges posed by climate change, Mexico has publicly committed to reducing its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.

Media Contact

Stevan Jackson

(202) 458-5054

Sjackson@worldbank.org

For more project information, please visit:

http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=40941&menuPK=228424&Projectid=P115608

For more information, please visit the Projects website.

The project PY Energy Sector Strengthening Project is now in the pipeline.

2009-10-14T04:00:00.000Z

The project PY Energy Sector Strengthening Project is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Second Programmatic Environmental Development Policy Loan is now in the pipeline.

2009-10-14T04:00:00.000Z

The project Second Programmatic Environmental Development Policy Loan is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The objective of the Second Programmatic Environmental Development Policy Loan (ENVDPL 2) Program is to support the government's efforts to strengthen environmental governance and institutions in Peru, and mainstream environmental sustainability in the development agenda of key sectors (mining, fisheries, and urban transport and energy). Within the scope of the ENVDPL program, this second ENVDPL is consistent with one of the key pillars of the 2006 Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) for Peru for FY07-FYI1 (and the 2009 CPS progress report) laying out a strategy to support the Government of Peru (GoP) to achieve its goals of sustained economic growth. The CPS recognizes the need to raise the profile of environmental issues in Peru by enhancing environmental public investments and strengthening the institutional framework. In support of CPS pillar one on economic growth, the ENVDPL program will contribute to making growth environmentally sustainable by supporting the environmental legal and institutional framework, biodiversity conservation, enhancing control over air and water pollution, improving the sustainability of the mining sector, and the sustainable management of fisheries resources. In addition, by supporting the policy instruments of the newly created Ministry of Environment (MINAM), the ENVDPL program will contribute to the modernization of the state institutions (CPS pillar three). The core sectors and themes to be supported by this Development Policy Loan (DPL) were selected based on the following: (a) a level of national priority identified by the Country Environmental Analysis (CEA) and agreed on by Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and MINAM; (b) supplementary support from other loans and grants; and (c) the level of sectoral support and commitment.

The project First Programmatic Public Finance and Social Sector Development Policy Loan is now in the pipeline.

2009-10-09T04:00:00.000Z

The project First Programmatic Public Finance and Social Sector Development Policy Loan is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The objective of the Public Finance and Social Sector Development Policy Loan Program for Dominican Republic (DR) is to improve the quality and efficiency of public spending, especially for poverty reduction and human development. The DR is a middle income country on the eastern part of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti. With a population of 9.8 million and a land area of 48,700 sq km, it is on both dimensions the second largest country in the Caribbean, after Cuba. Tourism, mining, and light manufacturing are the main exports. Foreign direct investment was about 3.8 percent of gross domestic product in 2007, and remittances were about 7.3 percent. For over a decade the DR has had competitive elections and peaceful alternation of parties in power. As in most middle income countries, politics play a key role in economic policy and the reduction of poverty. The Government plan for 2008-2012, calls for accelerating public sector reforms that began in the previous administration are: (a) improving the efficiency and quantity of public services; and (b) providing the fiscal space to fund priority social and investment programs, consistent with its four-year plan, the government is also preparing a longer term development program: the 'national development strategy', a comprehensive ten year plan addressing long term challenges of growth and social cohesion. The current global recession is taking a large toll on the economy by increasing debt servicing costs and weakening growth, income from tourism, and remittances. The Dominican Republic faces substantial challenges from the current global crisis. The government's reform program has become urgent, as the country's present economic and fiscal trajectory is not sustainable. Its importance is evident. External financing constraints have materialized and interest rate spreads on the DR international borrowing increased substantially since September 2008. The government also wants to avoid the reversals of social programs experienced in previous crises.