59718 Findings reports on ongoing operational, economic and sector work carried out by the World Bank and its member governments in the Africa Region. It is published periodically by the Knowledge, Information & Technology Center on behalf of the Africa Region. Best Practice in Participation Planning and Development of the Mali Pilot Participation Project Background and objectives To improve upon the traditionally weak relationship between the NGOs and the government, and to build a basis for partnership in the delivery of services to the poor. The Mali Pilot Project has been chosen, due to its innovative nature and successful planning process, as one of 5 Participation Presidential Flagship Operations in the Africa Region of the World Bank. The Project maintains an iterative dialogue with communities, implementors (NGOs and local authorities), and institutions (local and central government) in supporting multi-sector interventions in capacity-building and in policy decision-making. Impact on the ground A steering committee composed of Government and NGO representatives has been a key player in developing the project. A 3 -day Planning-By-Objectives (ZOPP) Workshop brought members of this committee together to design the framework of the proposed project. Participants included communities, community-based associations, womens' groups, Malian and international NGOs, central, regional and local government authorities. A 6-week community needs and capacity survey was conducted by a local NGO in 31 villages that identified community priorities that could be implemented during the pilot phase of this project. · NGO capacity assessments and field visits to local authorities, local NGOs and villages by steering committee members and World Bank staff have contributed to progress in project development by ensuring continuous consultation and information-sharing. Lessons learned The World Bank's notions of what constitutes a project, its development cycle and budgetary allocations may not be consistent with the innovative nature, pace and goals of this project. Therefore, the Project's success depends on the following: (a) a strong commitment from all stakeholders, particularly influential government actors; (b) a clearly participatory process from the project design stage forward; (c) availability of resources up front to begin project preparation (i.e., funds allotted specifically for this purpose such as the Client Consultation Fund); and (d) a full-time contact point in the Bank's Resident Mission to reinforce the partnerships. For more information on Best Practices in Participation, contact Paul Francis, Rm. J2-125, World Bank, 1818 H Street, Washington D.C. 20433. Tel.no.: (202) 4738486. E-mail address: Pfrancis@worldbank.org World Bank staff can access more examples of Best Practice through the Participation Home Page. To access this page, click on Netscape. Under "location" type http://afr to get to the Africa Region's Home Page. Then click on Best Practices and select Participation. Community Level Institutions and Poverty Alleviation in Nigeria: Consultative Surveys in Thirty-six Communities, Francis, 1995. Ghana Participatory Poverty Assessment. Consolidated Report on Poverty Assessment in Ghana Using Qualitative and Participatory Research Methods. Draft Report, Norton, Bortei-Dorku, Kroboe and Dogbe, 1995. Participation and Indigenous Peoples, Davis and Soeftestad, 1995. Participation in Education, Colletta and Perkins, 1995. Participation in Irrigation, Meinzen-Dick et al, 1995. Participation in Poverty Assessments, Norton and Stephens, 1995. Participation in Social Funds, Schmidt and Marc, 1995. Participation in Water and Sanitation, Watson and Jagannathan, 1995. The Contribution of People's Participation: 121 Rural Water Supply Projects, Narayan, 1995. World Bank Participation Sourcebook, 1995. A Study of Popular Participation in Brazil: Northeast Rural Development Program, Kottak et al, 1994. Assessment of Beneficiary Participation in Health Program Management: Case Study of Benin and Guinea, Azefor and Bradley, 1994. Community Management in Rural Water Supply: Some Lessons from Indonesia, Smith, 1994. Community Participation in Mexico's Municipal Funds Program: The Case of Oaxaca, Fox and Aranda, 1994. Development Support Communication and Participatory Development, Campbell, 1994. Evolving Participation: Institutional Issues in Participatory Development. Case Study: Burkina Faso, McMillan et al, 1994. Gender Issues in Participation, Bamberger et al, 1994. Participation and the World Bank: Lessons From 48 Case Studies, Schmidt, 1994. Participation in the PRONADER Project, Ecuador, Carroll, 1994. Participatory Poverty Assessments: Incorporating Poor Peoples'Perspectives into People's Participation in Environmental Assessment in Latin America: Best Practices, Partridge, 1994. Popular Participation in Zimapan Hydroelectric Project, Mexico, Mejia et al, 1994. Public Sector Management and Participation Issues, Holmes and Krishna, 1994. Stakeholder Participation in the Design of a Structural Adjustment Program: Ghana Case Study, Obeng, 1994. Strengthening Public Accountability Through Participation, Paul, 1994. Study of Procurement and Disbursement Issues in Bank-Financed Projects with Participation, 1994. The Potential Use of Information Technology for Promoting Stakeholder Participation: A Case Study of the Philippine Health Development Project, Annis et al, 1994. Zambia Poverty Assessment: Volume 5: Participatory Poverty Assessment, Norton, Owen and Milimo, 1994.