Malawi - Lessons Learned From Public Works Programs
In designing Public Work programs (PWPs), it is important to clarify whether the objectives are developmental or to deal with short-term shocks. PWPs make a significant contribution to sustained poverty reduction only when carefully designed to inc...
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| Format: | Brief |
| Language: | English |
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World Bank, Washington, DC
2012
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| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2003/06/2489009/malawi-lessons-learned-public-works-programs http://hdl.handle.net/10986/9731 |
| Summary: | In designing Public Work programs
(PWPs), it is important to clarify whether the objectives
are developmental or to deal with short-term shocks. PWPs
make a significant contribution to sustained poverty
reduction only when carefully designed to include a
graduation strategy (e.g., economic activities training,
savings and life skills training) or where continuity of
employment is viable (e.g., financed through routine
maintenance budgets). Programs lasting twelve months or more
can allow for asset acquisition, training and higher risk
economic activity. In this way, beneficiaries can begin to
graduate out of PWP employment. Valuable assets have been
created under PWPs, contributing to economic growth
(environmental protection, access routes etc.). In Malawi,
full cost recovery will not be possible for some time. It is
therefore essential that PWPs budget for maintenance of such
assets. PWPs are a valuable vehicle for developing capacity
and empowering local government bodies in Malawi. Adequate
provision must be made however, for local government
administrative and supervision costs. PWPs are a means of
skills transfer in participating communities. As a result,
follow-on programs find residual knowledge and
organizational capacity in place. |
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