Addressing the Challenges of Globalization : An Independent Evaluation of the World Bank's Approach to Global Programs

This report completes the second phase of the Operations Evaluation Department's independent evaluation of the World Bank's involvement in global programs. This Phase 2 report is based on case studies of 26 (of a total of 70) Bank-supported global programs that accounted for 90 percent of the Bank's global program expenditures in 2002. It follows on the phase 1 report completed in 2002 and the meta-evaluation of the CGIAR completed in 2003 that evaluated Bank involvement in global programs. The phase 2 report's recommendations stress two key elements: 1) The need for a global strategy for the Bank that will focus Bank support on high-priority, well-funded global public goods programs and that will be based on a consultative process involving key partners; 2) Better routine management of the global portfolio in order to set international standards for quality, add value, and enhance returns to Bank country operations and clients. The study points out that some key elements of a Bank global strategy would likely include an understanding and exploitation of the comparative advantage of the Bank and its key partners, including U.N. agencies; a clear focus on key global public goods and global policies that adversely affect developing countries' prospects for growth and poverty alleviation; and support of poverty reduction activities that complement rather than compete with Bank country operations. With respect to the improvement in the portfolio, OED recommends that the Bank: a) Separate oversight from management; b) Improve standards of governance and management of individual programs; c) Revisit selection and exit criteria; and d) Strengthen evaluations of global programs and their review within the Bank.