Corporate Policy Papers
UNCDF Strategy
for
Policy Impact and Replication
in Local Governance and Microfinance
Foreword is provided below.
Full text available as a pdf file. [ pdf (Français) ]
Foreword
As a small-scale
investment organization, our direct impact on poverty reduction is a
must. However, even under the best circumstances, this would be far
from sufficient for us to claim success. Our raison d’etre will
largely depend on the extent to which our pilot operations in the areas
of local governance and microfinance can exert wider influence and leverage
– in other words, on the extent to which they can impact policy
and provide a viable, tried and tested model for replication by national
governments and other development-assistance organizations.
In this context,
national and local ownership combined with quality of the results produced
on the ground are indispensable. The critical importance of policy impact
and replication (PI&R) is addressed prominently in the 2001/2002
UNCDF Business Plan.
This paper, which
represents the UNCDF corporate strategy for achieving this wider
leverage, is thus an important document for us. It develops an overall
analytic framework for looking at the twin objectives of policy impact
and replication, at the mechanisms and instruments to achieve these,
and at the likely conditions of success. Building on this framework,
it then sets out specific strategies for PI&R in both local governance
and microfinance.
This document should
also be of wider interest within the UN Development Programme,
given the focus on A2 P2 (advocacy, advice, pilots, & partnerships)
announced by the UNDP Administrator.
I would like to recognize the work and contributions of my colleagues in UNCDF for the time and dedication that went into producing this publication, especially that of Heather Clark and Roger Shotton, who worked tirelessly coordinating inputs and refining content.
I expect that this paper will guide UNCDF operations in our two areas of focus. But beyond that, I also expect that this paper will help stimulate, within the international development community at large, an action-oriented exchange and debate on this important issue.
Normand Lauzon
Executive Secretary
