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THE WORLD BANKInternational Bank for Reconstruction and Development |
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Type
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Multilateral organization providing funding and technical assistance throughout the major regions of the world.
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Brief Overview
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The World Bank, established in 1946, is an international development agency providing loans, advice, and other services to over 100 countries. It is owned and operated by its 180 member countries. Its funds are raised through world markets and contributions from member governments. Its divisions include the International Bank for Reconstruction & Development, The International Development Association, The International Finance Corporation, The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, and The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes. The World Bank offers more development assistance than any other organization worldwide, at US $20 billion annually. The World Bank seeks ”to reduce poverty and improve living standards through sustainable growth and investment in people.”
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Contact Information
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website: http://www.worldbank.org/
address: The World Bank Headquarters 1818 H Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20433 USA telephone: (+1) (202) 477 1234 (call 473 0000 if outside USA) fax: refer to website for fax number of specific contact person e-mail: via the website |
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Stated Goals
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1. Investing in people, particularly through basic health and education
2. Protecting the environment 3. Supporting and encouraging private sector development 4. Strengthening the ability of the governments to deliver quality services, efficiently and transparently 5. Promoting reforms to create a stable macroeconomic environment, conducive to investment and long-term planning. |
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Regions of Work
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Africa, East Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East and North Africa, and South Asia
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| Areas of Work | The World Bank works in 21 development areas, including:
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Methods
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The World Bank works through its partnerships with government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and businesses to establish its goals and programs. Its assistance usually takes the form of loans to partner groups. Since the 1970s, the World Bank has become increasingly focused on collaborations with NGOs. In 1994, NGOs were involved in 50% of the Bank’s newly funded projects.
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Examples of Upgrading Project
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The Kampung Improvement Project in Jakarta, Indonesia, often referred to as the “grandfather” of urban upgrading programs, started in 1969 with phases I and II which emphasized physical development while phase III emphasizes not only physical development but also social and economic development. The project established a single multi-disciplinary agency, the KIP Unit, to design and implement all project components under the same umbrella. Each government agency contributes one full-time staff member to the KIP Unit. KIP Units are formed to implement improvements on at least 1000 ha of kampung, with a population of more than 400,000 people. This program is considered to be one of the best urban poverty relief programs in the world for several reasons - one being the low level of investment needed per person (US$118 in Jakarta to US$23 in smaller cities), another being its sustainability. Since its inception in 1969, the concept has spread to 800 cities in Indonesia to benefit almost 30 million people and is among the best urban poverty relief programs in the world. |
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Project Selection Process
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