A Case Study of Romanian Experience
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A Multi-Partner Evaluation of the Comprehensive Development Framework Implementation of CDF Principles in a Transition Economy A Case Study of Romanian Experience The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank or the governments they represent. The World Bank cannot guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply on the part of the World Bank any judgment of the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. Contact: Operations Evaluation Department Partnerships & Knowledge Programs (OEDPK) e-mail: [email protected] Telephone: 202-458-4497 Facsimile: 202-522-3125 http:/www.worldbank.org/oed iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Abbreviations and Acronyms ......................................................................................................vi Foreword ......................................................................................................................................vii Executive Summary....................................................................................................................... x Main Findings: the “CDF Consultations” of 1999-2000................................................. xii Main Findings: The CDF Experience in Romania since 2000........................................xiii 1. Introduction..................................................................................................................1 2. The Romania Experience ............................................................................................3 Current Socioeconomic Context and Trends...................................................................... 3 Composition and Significance of Development Assistance to Romania............. 10 Watersheds in the Evolution of CDF in Romania ............................................... 11 3. The Evidence: Progress, Constraints, Issues...........................................................16 3.1 Holistic, Long-Term Development Framework.......................................................... 16 Romania’s Overarching Long-Term Vision for Development............................ 16 Romania’s Strategic Planning Process, 1998-2000 ............................................. 17 Present State of Long-Term Planning in Romania .............................................. 20 3.2 Country Ownership .................................................................................................... 21 Progress in Building Consensus for the Long-Term Vision................................ 21 Issues Regarding Consultative Processes ............................................................ 24 Future Challenge Regarding Consultative Practices ........................................... 28 3.3 Country-Led Partnership ........................................................................................... 28 Progress and Issues in Moving toward Country-Led Partnership ....................... 29 Aid Coordination Mechanisms and Processes..................................................... 30 Strategic Alignment and Donor Comparative Advantage ................................... 34 Harmonization of Donor Procedures and Practices............................................. 35 Analytical and Diagnostic Work ......................................................................... 36 Aid Delivery Modes and Country Capacity ........................................................ 36 Challenges for Country-led Partnership .............................................................. 37 3.4 Results Orientation..................................................................................................... 38 Progress in Establishing a Results Orientation.................................................... 38 Challenges Ahead................................................................................................ 46 iv 4. CDF Interrelationships..............................................................................................48 5. Main Conclusions and Challenges Ahead ...............................................................49 A Stream with Multiple Tributaries .................................................................................. 49 The Four CDF Principles: Conclusions, Issues, and Challenges ................................................. 49 Long-term Holistic Development Framework..................................................... 49 Country Ownership.............................................................................................. 50 Country-led Partnership....................................................................................... 51 Results Orientation .............................................................................................. 52 Tables Table 1: Macroeconomic Indicators........................................................................................ 3 Table 2: Comparative Economic Performance Indicators ...................................................... 4 Table 3: Romania's Unemployment Rates .............................................................................. 5 Table 4: Poverty in Romania, 1995-2001 ............................................................................... 6 Table 5: Social Indicators for Five Central and Eastern European Countries......................... 7 Table 6: Trends in Selected Socioeconomic Indicators in Romania: 1998-2000/2002 .......... 8 Table 7: Romania's Top Ten Donors of Development Assistance........................................ 12 Table 8: Governing Program Action Plan Examples............................................................ 42 Table 9: National Anti-Poverty and Social Promotion Inclusion Action Plan Goals ........... 44 Table 10: Comparison of Millennium Development Goals and Targets with National Anti-Poverty and Social Inclusion Promotion Action Plan .................................... 45 Boxes Box 1: Entrepreneurial Responses to Transition Challenges ....................................................... 11 Box 2: Emergence of the Regional Development System as a CDF-like Process ....................... 14 Box 3: Survey Questionnaire Findings on CDF Implementation at the Regional Level ............. 16 Box 4: CDF Challenges for the World Bank Country Team........................................................ 16 Box 5: Business Environment Action Plan .................................................................................. 23 Box 6: Public Information Access Initiative ................................................................................ 23 Box 7: Jiu Valley Consultative Process........................................................................................ 24 Box 8: Civil Society: Progress and Challenges............................................................................ 26 Box 9: Donor Consultation: A Private Sector View..................................................................... 28 Box 10: Stakeholder Views on Country-led Partnership in Romania ............................................ 30 Box 11: World Bank-GOR Joint Portfolio Review Exercises: Bimodal Participation and Partnership........................................................................................................................ 31 Box 12: The Child Protection Group: Good Practice in Country-led Partnership ......................... 32 Box 13: A New Potential Good Practice Example: The National Intersectoral HIV/AIDS Commission ...................................................................................................................... 32 Box 14: Stakeholder Views on Partnership at the Project Level: Results from a Questionnaire Survey............................................................................................................................... 33 Box 15: A Spurned Country Proposal for Coordination at the Macro Policy Level...................... 33 Box 16: Putting Romania in the Aid Coordination Driver's Seat: Desires and Frustrations.......... 34 Box 17: A Cacophony of Consultants............................................................................................ 38 v Figures Figure 1: Prevalence of Optimism in Romania, 1991-2000 ...................................................................... 9 Figure 2: Trust in Public Institutions in Romania, 1990-2001.................................................................... 9 Figure B-1. Frequency of Information Access on Development Programs/Projects ..................... 71 Figure B-2. Quality of Information on Development Programs/Projects in Romania .................. 71 Figure B-3. Assessment of CDF-like Characteristics for Selected Programs/Projects ................ 74 Figure B-4. The Key Concerns/Interests of Respondents about Improving CDF Implementation in Romania ............................................................................................................................................... 84 Figure B-5. CDF Country Progress: Stakeholder Assessments as of March 2002.................................... 85 Annexes Annex A. Interview and Questionnaire Methodology.............................................................. 55 Strengths and Limitations of the Case Study Approach