September 2023 FY 2023 Honduras Country Opinion Survey Report ECR Business Intelligence Team Acknowledgements The Honduras Country Opinion Survey is part of the County Opinion Survey Program series of the World Bank Group. This report was prepared by the Business Intelligence (BI) team, led by José De Buerba (Senior External Affairs Officer) and Svetlana Markova (Senior External Affairs Officer). Yulia Danilina, Jessica Cameron, Nan Lin, and Sofya Gubaydullina oversaw the design, reporting, and analysis. Noreen Wambui and Irina Popova provided data support. BI acknowledges the significant contribution from the Honduras country team and independent fielding agency, Le Vote. In particular, BI is grateful for the support from Cesar Armando Leon Juarez (External Affairs Officer) and Carlos Roberto Aguirre Larios (Senior Operations Officer) who coordinated the survey related activities from Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Contents Objectives Overall Context World Bank Group’s Support in Development Areas Overall Attitudes Toward the World Bank Group World Bank Group’s Work and Engagement on the Ground World Bank Group’s Knowledge Work and Activities The Future Role of the WBG in Honduras Communication and Outreach Demographics of the Sample Methodology 3 Objectives This survey was designed to assist the World Bank Group (WBG) in gaining a better understanding of how stakeholders in Honduras perceive the WBG. The survey explored the following questions: 1. What areas of development are perceived to be the most important? Have the priorities changed over the past three years? 2. What opinion do key stakeholders have of the WBG regarding its effectiveness, relevance, alignment with Honduras’s development priorities, and other key indicators? Are opinions improving or declining? 3. How is the WBG perceived as a development partner? Are opinions improving or declining? 4. What do key stakeholders value the most and the least when it comes to the WBG’s work at the country level? What are the priorities looking forward? 5. What opinion do key stakeholders have of the WBG knowledge products and their quality? Are opinions improving or declining? 6. What are the preferred communication channels and which channels are reported to be used the most? Are there differences among stakeholder groups in terms of preferred channels? 7. What key topics that the WBG communicates do stakeholders recall? Is there a relationship between message recall and views of the WBG’s work? 4 Overall Context “[The WBG] should maintain the programs and projects promoted for human development and the application of adequate accountability focused on management for results.” Civil Society Respondent “Honduras will only be a better country when its population is educated, therein lies the challenge for the country and organizations such as the World Bank.” Media Respondent Q In your opinion, what is the most important thing the World Bank Group could do to help increase its effectiveness in Honduras? 5 Nearly Half of Respondents Think Honduras is Moving in the Wrong Direction Roughly half (48%) of respondents say Honduras is Country direction headed in the wrong direction, and just 20% say that 2023 Honduras is in the right direction. 20% Respondents from the private sector express especially negative assessments, with 80% believing The right direction the country is on the wrong track. In FY19, on the contrary, most respondents indicated that they were “very optimistic” (19%) or “somewhat 48% The wrong direction optimistic” (40%) about the country’s future. Not sure 32% FY23: In general, would you say that Honduras is headed in ... ? (N=143) FY19: When you think about the future in Honduras, are you … ? Q (Very pessimistic, Somewhat pessimistic, Somewhat optimistic, Very optimistic, Not sure) (N=140) 6 Familiarity with the World Bank Group Mean Familiarity Rating Year comparison: Respondents in this year’s Country 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Survey reported statistically similar levels of familiarity with the World Bank Group as in FY19: All Respondents 6.4 Mean familiarity: FY23 = 6.4; FY19 = 6.7. Civil Society 7.4 Collaboration: Respondents who collaborate with the National Government 6.9 WBG reported significantly higher levels of familiarity with the institution’s work: Bilateral / Multilateral Agency 6.9 Mean familiarity: Collaborate with the WBG = 8.1 Do not collaborate with the WBG = 6.2 Private Sector 6.9 Academia 6.9 Media 5.4 Local Government 4.4 Significantly different between stakeholder groups How familiar are you with the work of these organizations in Honduras: Q The World Bank Group? 7 Scale: 1-10 (1: Not familiar at all – 10: Extremely familiar) Familiarity with the World Bank Group and Regional Development Banks Respondents reported significantly higher levels Mean Familiarity Rating of familiarity with the Central American Bank for 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Economic Integration and the Inter-American Development Bank than with the World Bank Group. 7.0 The Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI/BCiE) 6.8 FY23 6.7 The Inter-American Development Bank FY19 (IDB/BID) 7.2 6.4 The World Bank Group 6.7 How familiar are you with the work of these organizations in Honduras? Q Scale: 1-10 (1: Not familiar at all – 10: Extremely familiar) 8 Trust in Institutions Mean Trust Rating 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Academia and regional development banks were 6.9 Academia/think tanks/research institutions the most trusted institutions in Honduras among those studied. Regional development banks (e.g., CABEI, IDB) 6.8 7.0 Ratings of trust in civil society and the private 6.6 sector increased since the last survey effort in The United Nations (UN) 7.0 FY19, significantly so for civil society. 6.6 The World Bank Group 6.9 Respondents rated Congress/legislative branch, the national government, and the media as the 6.4 Civil society (e.g., NGOs, CBOs)* least trusted of all institutions surveyed. 5.8 6.4 FY23 Private sector 5.9 FY19 6.1 The Central Bank of Honduras 6.0 5.9 The International Monetary Fund 6.1 5.4 Local government 5.2 Media 5.1 4.6 The national government 4.6 *significantly different 4.3 between years Congress/legislative branch To what extent do you trust each of the following groups to do what is right? Q Scale: 1-10 (1: To no degree at all – 10: To a very significant degree) 9 World Bank Group’s Support in Development Areas “Focus on an inclusive, equitable development with quality education and first -rate health systems with greater value to the land and a robust institutional framework with full respect for the rule of law.” Private Sector Respondent “Take more care of the effective use of resources and condition support to those entities that do not tolerate corrupt practices in middle and lower management.” Government Institution Respondent Q In your opinion, what is the most important thing the World Bank Group could do to help increase its effectiveness in Honduras? 10 Vs FY19 Development Areas Education Health 41% 53% +6 +14 for WBG Focus Anti-corruption 37% +23 Agriculture / food security 36% +17 Job creation / employment 33% +2 Education and health were the top areas in FY23 Crime and violence 29% +25 where stakeholders would like the WBG to focus its resources. Climate change 27% +20 Energy 24% +17 Anti-corruption, climate change, and especially crime and violence grew in prominence in FY23, with nearly Social protection 20% +11 twice as many respondents selecting them among the Transport 19% +4 top development priorities this year compared to FY19. Local governance and institutions 17% NA For the most part, the top areas selected as priorities for Public sector governance 17% +5 the WBG were consistent across stakeholder groups; Environment/Natural resource management 16% +13 however, private sector development was significantly Judiciary reform and rule of law 16% +10 more of a priority for respondents from private sector (39%) compared to respondents from other stakeholder Private sector development 14% +3 groups. Water supply and sanitation infrastructure 14% +2 Disaster risk management 12% +9 IMPORTANT NOTE: The overall increase in percentages is partially attributable to a change in methodology: In FY19, respondents could Digital development 11% +7 select up to 3 priorities, but in FY23 they could select up to 5. Also, two big cross-cutting areas, Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction Gender equity 9% +5 (#7 and #5 in FY19), were removed from the list of options in FY23. Financial markets 8% +4 Regional integration 7% +6 Trade 5% +1 FY23: Which areas should the WBG prioritize in its work in Honduras to have the most impact on development results in the country? (Choose no more than 5) (N=132) Equality of opportunity 5% -5 Q FY19: When thinking about how the World Bank Group can have the most impact on development results in Honduras, in which sectors do you believe the WBG should Urban development 5% +3 focus most of its resources (financial and knowledge services) in Honduras? (Choose no more than 3) (N=139) Fiscal and Debt sustainability 4% NA Areas the WBG Should Play a Leading Role among International Partners % of Respondents Jobs/productivity 41% Human capital (education/skills, health, social protection) 36% A plurality of respondents indicated it would be most beneficial for the WBG to play a leading role in Food security 33% jobs/productivity. Public financial management 32% Respondents from academia and civil society were more likely to indicate that the WBG should play a Resilience to disasters and adaptation to climate 32% leading role in human capital (71% and 60% supporting change it, respectively). Access to basic services 29% Local government respondents were more likely to indicate that the WBG should play a leading role in food Crime and violence prevention 19% security (69%). Capacity of state institutions 16% Access to justice systems 12% Support for tax collection to generate government revenue 12% Social cohesion 10% Social safety nets 10% Reducing gender-based violence 8% Which THREE areas below would benefit most from the World Bank Group playing a leading role among international Q partners in Honduras? (Choose no more than 3) (N=129) 12 Effectiveness of WBG’s Support in Sectoral Areas The WBG’s work in water supply and sanitation infrastructure, transport, and agriculture/food security received the highest ratings of effectiveness. However, ratings of the WBG’s effectiveness across most sectoral areas were significantly lower in FY23 compared to FY19, with public sector governance and climate change dropping most notably. Mean Effectiveness Rating Mean Effectiveness Rating 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Water supply and sanitation 5.9 5.3 infrastructure 6.6 Social protection* 6.2 Transport* 5.8 5.3 6.6 Local governance and institutions Agriculture / food security* 5.8 5.3 6.7 Education* 6.6 Private sector development* 5.6 5.3 6.4 Equality of opportunity* 6.6 Fiscal and Debt sustainability 5.6 5.2 Regional integration* 6.8 Gender equity* 5.5 5.2 6.8 Health* 6.0 Financial markets* 5.4 5.2 6.5 Public sector governance* 6.6 Environment / Natural resource 5.4 5.2 management* 6.6 Urban development* 6.5 Disaster risk management* 5.4 4.7 6.8 FY23 Judiciary reform and rule of law FY23 Energy* 5.4 FY19 4.6 FY19 6.3 Job creation / employment* 5.6 Trade* 5.4 *significantly different 4.6 6.6 between years Anti-corruption* 5.5 Climate change* 5.3 4.5 6.7 Crime and violence* 5.7 How EFFECTIVE do you believe the World Bank Group is in terms of the work it does in the following areas of development in Honduras? Q (If you have NO exposure to/experience in working in any of the sectors listed below, please respond “Don’t know”), 13 Scale: 1-10 (1: Not effective at all – 10: Very effective) Diminished Water Supply and Decreased Crop Yields were Main Climate Change Concerns The vast majority of respondents were very concerned about diminished water supply for people and the economy (79%), decreased crop yields/food insecurity (76%), and loss of jobs (76%) when it comes to the potential impacts of climate change in Honduras. Not at all A little Somewhat concerned Very concerned Diminished water supply for people and the economy 79% Decreased crop yields/food insecurity 76% Loss of jobs 76% Increase in natural disasters (for example, cyclones or sea-level surges) 70% Unsafe drinking water 69% More frequent and severe floods 68% Forest fires 67% More frequent and severe droughts / heatwaves 66% Land and forest degradation 59% Effects on public health 58% Climate-driven migration 52% Air pollution 47% Extinction of plant/animal species 46% Increase erosion of shoreline 37% Q What is your level of concern for each of the potential impacts of climate change as it affects your country? (N=~126) 14 Overall Attitudes toward the World Bank Group 15 Key Performance Indicators In FY23, there was a decline across key performance indicator questions compared to FY19, significantly so for the WBG’s influence and effectiveness in achieving development results. FY23 FY19 Percentage points change from FY19 Mean Mean 11% -11% 0 Relevance 53% 29% 17% 6.2 6.6 11% -11% 0 Influence* 52% 32% 16% 6.1 6.7 +9% -9% 0 Alignment 55% 29% 16% 6.0 6.4 -4% 0 +4% Effectiveness in achieving results^* 57% 28% 15% 5.9 6.7 Ends extreme poverty 71% 20% 9% 5.2 N/A *significantly different between years Low (1-6) Medium (7-8) High (9-10) The World Bank Group currently plays a relevant role in development in Honduras. Scale: 1-10 (1: Strongly disagree – 10: Strongly agree) To what extent does the World Bank Group influence the development agenda in Honduras? Scale: 1-10 (1: To no degree at all – 10: To a very significant degree) The World Bank Group’s work is aligned with what I consider the development priorities for Honduras, Scale: 1 -10 (1: Strongly disagree – 10: Strongly agree) Q How effective has the World Bank Group been in achieving development results in Honduras? Scale: 1-10 (1: Not effective at all – 10: Very effective) The World Bank Group’s work helps end extreme poverty in Honduras. Scale: 1 -10 (1: Strongly disagree – 10: Strongly agree) ^Compared to the mean score of two questions asked in FY19: Overall, please rate your impression of the World Bank Group’s eff ectiveness in Honduras. Scale: 1-10 (1: Not effective at all – 16 10: Very effective); To what extent does the World Bank Group’s work help to achieve development results in Honduras? Scale: 1-10 (1: To no degree at all – 10: To a very significant degree) Key Performance Indicators: Regional Comparison The mean ratings for relevance, alignment, and influence in Honduras were significantly lower than those in LAC countries surveyed in FY22 and IDA countries surveyed in FY22. 6.2 Relevance 7.0 7.2 6.1 Influence 6.7 Honduras FY23 7.4 LAC FY22 6.0 Aligned with 6.8 Priorities 7.1 IDA FY22 5.9 Effectiveness in 6.9 achieving results 7.3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Mean Rating LAC FY22 included: Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama, and Peru Q IDA FY22 included: Bangladesh, Kosovo, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan , Tajikistan. 17 Effectiveness of the World Bank Group Respondents rated the Central American Bank for Economic Integration significantly higher in their effectiveness at achieving development results than the World Bank Group. Mean Effectiveness Rating 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Respondents in this year’s Country Survey rated the effectiveness of the IDB and CABEI significantly lower The Central American Bank for Economic 6.3 than in FY19. Integration (CABEI/BCiE) 7.0 The Inter-American Development Bank 6.0 FY23 (IDB/BID) 7.3 FY19 5.9 The World Bank Group^ 6.7 How effective has each of these organizations been in achieving development results in Honduras? Scale: 1-10 (1: Not effective at all – 10: Very effective) Q ^Compared to the mean score of two questions asked in FY19: Overall, please rate your impression of the World Bank Group’s eff ectiveness in Honduras. Scale: 1-10 (1: Not effective at all – 10: Very effective); To what extent does the World Bank Group’s work help to achieve 18 development results in Honduras? Scale: 1-10 (1: To no degree at all – 10: To a very significant degree) Familiarity Leads to Positive Perceptions of Effectiveness Mean Effectiveness Rating Comparing ratings of institutional effectiveness 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 among respondents highly familiar with the institution (ratings of 8-10 on a 10-point scale) and those with 6.8 little familiarity with the institution (ratings of 1-4 on a The Central American Bank for Economic 10-point scale), one can see the impact that familiarity Integration (CABEI/BCiE) 5.1 has on perceptions of an institution. Those who were highly familiar with an organization’s work in Honduras had significantly 6.6 High familiarity with institution more positive perceptions of the institution’s The Inter-American Development Bank (8-10) (IDB/BID) effectiveness at achieving development results 4.8 in Honduras. Low familiarity with institution (1-4) 6.4 The World Bank Group 4.8 All significantly different between high and low familiarity How familiar are you with the work of these organizations in Honduras? Scale: 1-10 (1: Not familiar at all – 10: Extremely familiar) Q How effective has each of these organizations been in achieving development 19 results in Honduras? Scale: 1-10 (1: Not effective at all – 10: Very effective) Overall Ratings for Indicator Questions Mean Rating 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Respondents from the national government gave the highest mean ratings for the aggregated All Respondents 6.2 responses to the eighteen COS indicator questions, whereas respondents from the media had significantly lower mean ratings. National Government 6.7 Collaboration: Respondents who collaborate with the WBG had statistically similar ratings for Academia 6.6 the aggregated responses to the eighteen indicator questions compared to respondents who Local Government 6.6 do not collaborate with the WBG: Collaborate with the WBG mean = 6.4; Civil Society 6.6 Do not collaborate with the WBG mean = 6.2 Bilateral / Multilateral Agency 6.4 Private Sector 6.0 Media 4.8 Mean Ratings for the eighteen COS Indicator Questions by Stakeholder Groups on a Scale from 1 to 10. Q These selected indicators are listed at the end of this report. 20 World Bank Group’s Work and Engagement on the Ground “[The WBG should] be directly responsible for ensuring that the resources provided to state structures are not used in projects where acts of corruption, abuse or deterioration of local capacities are facilitated. Strengthen the growth of the supply of goods and services from a local source and do not support the hiring of foreign companies to do what Hondurans can do.” Private Sector Respondent “Supervise the credits that it grants, that the loaned money is well invested, make disbursements according to the development of infrastructure and social projects, condition the loans to the fight against corruption and respect for the legislation.” Media Respondent Q In your opinion, what is the most important thing the World Bank Group could do to help increase its effectiveness in Honduras? 21 The WBG as a Development Partner Mean Rating The WBG received the highest ratings for being a 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 long-term partner; however, the perception of the WBG as a long-term partner decreased significantly 7.0 Being a long-term partner* since FY19. 8.0 6.4 Responsiveness to needs 6.1 FY23 In your opinion, what is the most important thing the WBG FY19 could do to help increase its effectiveness in Honduras? 6.1 Flexibility when circumstances change 5.9 “It is important to ensure a greater focus and depth. When wanting to resume too many initiatives and sectors at the same time, efforts are diluted, and the impacts are not so profound. I suggest a greater focus 5.8 on those priority aspects that generate early victories.” Access to WBG staff and experts 6.3 Civil Society Respondent *Significantly different between years To what extent is the World Bank Group an effective development partner in Honduras, in terms of Q each of the following?, Scale: 1-10 (1: To no degree at all – 10: To a very significant degree) 22 The WBG should Collaborate More with Local and National Government % of Respondents A plurality of respondents indicated that the WBG should collaborate more with local and national government Local government 48% which is consistent with FY19 findings (38% opted for increased collaboration with local government in addition to the regular relations with the national government in FY19). The national government 46% About 4 in 10 respondents also wanted more collaboration with the private sector, civil society, and academia. Private sector 41% Of note, a majority of respondents from local government (67%) indicated that the WBG should collaborate more with Civil society 41% civil society. Similarly, 63% of respondents from civil society indicated that the WBG should collaborate more with local government. Academia/think tanks/research institutions 38% In your opinion, what is the most important thing the WBG could do to help increase its effectiveness in Honduras? Regional development banks 27% “Get closer to local governments, who are the true connoisseurs of the internal problems of their communities.” Other donors and development partners 17% Local Government Respondent “Greater links with academia and the private sector.” Parliament/legislative branch 15% Office of a Parliamentarian Respondent “Open even more the possibilities of working with civil society institutions (real ones that have a base) and betting on vulnerable Media 12% groups.” Civil Society Respondent 23 Q Which THREE of the following groups should the WBG collaborate with more in Honduras? (Choose no more than 3) (N=133) WBG as a Development Partner: Collaboration with Stakeholders The WBG received the highest mean ratings for its 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 collaboration with regional development banks. 6.9 Regional development banks Although ratings for the WBG’s collaboration with civil society significantly improved in FY23 compared to FY19, 6.7 ratings for the WBG’s collaboration with the national Other donors and development partners 6.5 government significantly declined. However, it should be noted that respondents from national government 6.7 Local government institutions were more positive about their collaboration with the WBG (mean=8.1) whereas respondents from the 6.7 media and private sector were the most critical about the Private sector 6.3 WBG’s collaboration with the national government FY23 (means=4.6 and 5.9, respectively). 6.6 FY19 Civil society* 5.9 In your opinion, what is the most important thing the World Bank Group could do to help increase its effectiveness in Honduras? 6.6 The national government* 7.7 “Support for the private sector to access new markets, which would allow greater job creation. I also work with local governments so that the 6.5 development projects that are undertaken in the localities come to a Academia/think tanks/research institutions successful conclusion and that they do not have to depend on the central government as it creates obstacles to local development.” 5.4 Private Sector Respondent Media “Work on their research with the academic sectors of the universities and 5.4 take into account the opinions and experiences of civil society and private Parliament/legislative branch companies.” Academia Respondent Q To what extent is the WBG an effective development partner in Honduras, in terms of collaborating with the following groups: (1-Strongly disagree, 10-Strongly agree) *Significantly different between years 24 Greatest Value of the WBG Financial resources continued to be the most valued % of Respondents activity of the WBG in Honduras as it was in FY19 (57%). Providing financial resources 69% The perceived value of the WBG’s bringing together Bringing together different stakeholder different groups of stakeholders notably increased in groups to support Honduras’ 33% FY23 (33%), up from 6% in FY19, and was particularly development efforts valued by respondents from the private sector (50%) and the civil society (40%). Providing data and statistics 22% Providing advisory services and analytics to support design or implementation of 17% policies In your opinion, what is the most important thing the World Bank Group could do to help increase its effectiveness in Honduras? Capacity building and training 15% “Work more closely with civil society and convene and create common analysis and interventions with other multi and bi-laterals (with Producing research on global significant input from civil society).” 15% development issues Civil Society Respondent “Support for the private sector to access new markets, which would Mobilizing third-party financial resources 12% allow greater job creation. I also work with local governments so that the development projects that are undertaken in the localities come to a successful conclusion and that they do not have to depend on the central government as it creates obstacles to local development.” Other 3% Private Sector Respondent Q When thinking about the World Bank Group’s role in Honduras, which activity do you VALUE the most? (Choose no more than 2) ( N=131) 25 Financial Instruments Mean Level of Agreement In FY23, respondents had the highest levels of 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 agreement that the WBG insisted on accountability through its lending. However, respondents had the lowest levels of agreement that WBG’s financial instruments The WBG insists on accountability through its 7.0 meet Honduras’ needs. lending. 6.6 The conditions of the WBG’s financing are competitive compared to markets. FY23 FY19 6.4 The WBG provides financial support in a timely manner.^ * 7.1 5.8 The WBG’s financial instruments meet the needs of Honduras. 6.1 * Significantly different between Honduras FY23 and FY19 To what extent do you agree/disagree with the following statements? Q Scale: 1-10 (1: Strongly disagree– 10: Strongly agree) ^In FY19, the option was “The World Bank Group disburses funds promptly” 26 World Bank Group’s Knowledge Work and Activities “Better understand the reality and needs of Honduras. Do not apply the same recipes from neighboring countries. Make the government comply with legal certainty and the rule of law.” Private Sector Respondent Q In your opinion, what is the most important thing the World Bank Group could do to help increase its effectiveness in Honduras? 27 Knowledge Work The majority of respondents reported that they had not used the WBG’s knowledge work. Of note, 53% of civil society respondents reported using Use of the WBG’s advisory WBG’s knowledge work whereas most respondents from services and analytics other stakeholder groups reported not using it: national government (50%), academia (67%), local government (81%), and media (92%). 13% 23% 64% Yes No Not sure Q Have you used the WBG’s advisory services and analytics in the past? (N=131) 28 Knowledge Work Mean Rating 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Respondents had the highest levels of agreement that they plan to use the WBG knowledge work in 7.6 I anticipate using the WBG's advisory services and the future and that the WBG brings global analytical work in the future. expertise. In FY23, the perception of WBG knowledge work 7.4 The WBG brings global expertise to Honduras as remained on the same level as respective indicators part of its advisory services and analytical work. in FY19. An exception was the perception of the 7.5 WBG’s knowledge contribution to the development results in Honduras which I am satisfied with the quality of the WBG’s advisory 7.3 decreased significantly since FY19. services and analytical work in Honduras. Respondents gave the lowest ratings for the WBG’s advice and recommendations being tailored to 7.2 The WBG’s advisory services and analytical work Honduras’ context. are timely. 7.1 FY23 6.6 FY19 The WBG’s advice and recommendations are tailored to Honduras’ context.^ 7.0 6.0 The WBG's knowledge contribution to the development results in Honduras* 6.9 To what extent do you agree/disagree with the following statements? Scale: 1-10 (1: Strongly disagree– 10: Strongly agree) How significant a contribution do you believe the World Bank Group's knowledge work and activities make to development results in Honduras? Q Scale: 1-10 (1: Not significant at all– 10: Very significant) 29 ^In FY19, this option was “Are adaptable to Honduras’s specific development challenges and country circumstances* The Future Role of the World Bank Group in Honduras “Have a greater presence of monitoring and follow-up to the projects that it supports with its financing.” Media Respondent “ [The WBG should] take a leadership position towards greater coordination of international cooperation with the main sectors of the country.” Academia Respondent Q In your opinion, what is the most important thing the World Bank Group could do to help increase its effectiveness in Honduras? 30 What the World Bank Group Could Do to Increase its Effectiveness in Honduras Operations: Respondents stressed the importance of transparency and accountability Categories of responses to in WBG-funded projects, pointing out the need for closer monitoring and evaluation of the qualitative question about the results. what the WBG could do to help increase its effectiveness “Creation of capacities for decision-makers in the central government, provide surveillance and oversight in Honduras mechanisms that contribute to the fight against corruption and legal certainty, promotion of adaptation mechanisms and resilience to climate change.” Private Sector Respondent “Establish and fulfill the stated commitment to address corruption internally and in public institutions that receive Bank support.” Civil Society Respondent “It is important to ensure a greater focus and depth. When wanting to resume too many initiatives and sectors at the Areas for same time, efforts are diluted, and the impacts are not so profound. I suggest a greater focus on those priority Operations WBG focus aspects that generate early victories.” Government Institution Respondent 47% 33% “[The WBG should] supervise the credits that it grants, that the loaned money is well invested, make disbursements according to the development of infrastructure and social projects, condition the loans to the fight against corruption and respect for the legislation.” Media Respondent “Demand more accountability from governments when providing financing because governments forget the final Collaboration beneficiary (citizen)” Civil Society Respondent 5% Communication 15% In your opinion, what is the most important thing the World Bank Group could do to help increase its effectiveness in Q Honduras? (Please be specific) (N=55) 31 What the World Bank Group Could Do to Increase its Effectiveness in Honduras Focus areas: Respondents highlighted some of the key areas that they consider important for the WBG to focus on. These included human capital – particularly support for education and health; public sector governance – including capacity development, public resource management, and anti-corruption; private sector development, and stressed the importance of job creation. “Focus on an inclusive, equitable development with quality education and first-rate health systems with greater value to the land and a robust institutional framework with full respect for the rule of law.” Private Sector Respondent “Investment and training in the private sector and entrepreneurs.” Local Government Respondent “Take more care of the effective use of resources and condition support to those entities that do not tolerate corrupt practi ces in middle and lower management.” Government Institution Respondent “Shield the loans with successful mechanisms to try to reduce corruption and that the funds are directed to the most vulnerab le population in Honduras and that they reach population sectors for food security.” Government Institution Respondent Collaboration and Communication: Responses mainly focused on the need for more effective collaboration with various stakeholder groups and effective communication with the media and the public. These responses are for the most part covered in respective sections of this report. In your opinion, what is the most important thing the World Bank Group could do to help Q increase its effectiveness in Honduras? (Please be specific) (N=55) 32 Communication and Outreach “Make [people] more aware of the services it provides.” Government Institution Respondent Q In your opinion, what is the most important thing the World Bank Group could do to help increase its effectiveness in Honduras? 33 General Information Sources % of Respondents Respondents reported using a variety of sources Research papers / Official 65% statistics to get information about economic and social development issues in Honduras, but a majority relied on research papers. e-Newsletters 43% Although most of the respondents indicated they Television (TV) 42% got most of their information from research papers, respondents from local government indicated that they were significantly more likely to utilize Newspapers (Print or online) 42% television (87%) and social media (60%) than respondents from other stakeholder groups. Social media 42% Radio 13% Blogs 7% Podcasts 5% Other 4% How do you get most of your information about economic and social development issues in Honduras? Q (Choose no more than 3) (N=128) 34 Preferred WBG Information Sources % of Respondents A majority of respondents reported that they preferred to obtain information about the WBG e-Newsletters 56% and its work through e-newsletters or events/ conferences/seminars/workshops. Event/conference/ seminar/workshop 50% Although their top preference was e-newsletters, respondents from academia and civil society also Website 38% preferred the WBG’s website (60% and 61%, respectively). The most preferred sources for media Direct contact with staff 33% respondents were interviews and press conferences (57%). Social media 33% Direct messaging 25% Interviews and press conferences 20% Podcasts 6% Blogs 4% Other 3% Q How would you prefer to obtain information about the World Bank Group and its work? (Choose no more than 3) (N=129) 35 Recent Interactions with the WBG A total of 53% of respondents recalled hearing or seeing something about the WBG in the last 30 days. Respondents reported seeing that information most often on social media and television. Among those who selected “Social media”, respondents most commonly reported seeing something on Facebook, Twitter, or WhatsApp. % of Respondents Social media 39% Television (TV) 35% WBG Website 33% 56% Newspapers (Print or online) 32% 50% e-Newsletters 23% 41% Event / conference / seminar 20% Direct contact with WBG staff 17% 18% Radio 13% 12% 12% Direct messaging 10% Facebook Twitter WhatsApp LinkedIn Instagram YouTube Blogs 4% Other 4% Podcasts 3% Where do you recall seeing or hearing this information? (Check all that apply) (N=69) Q What social media platforms do you recall seeing this information on? (Check all that apply) (N=34) 36 Topic Recall in the Last 30 Days % of Respondents In terms of the topics recalled, WBG global WBG global economic forecasts 41% economic forecasts were the most frequently recalled topic respondents reported seeing or hearing about in relation to the WBG in the last 30 WBG work or research on climate change 33% days. WBG work or research on food insecurity 32% In terms of stakeholder groups, respondents from the private sector were significantly more likely to WBG work to provide debt relief for hear about the WBG’s work on energy than other developing countries 29% stakeholder groups (63%). WBG work to support Honduras’ health system to help mitigate the impact of the 26% COVID-19 pandemic WBG work or research on human capital 21% WBG work or research on energy 21% WBG work or research on pandemic 18% prevention, preparedness, and response WBG work or research on improve gender 17% equity and empowerment of women and girls WBG work to strengthen violence prevention 9% Q What topics were included in what you saw or heard? (Check all that apply) (N=66) 37 Message Recall and Perceptions of WBG Work Mean Level of Agreement Those respondents who recalled seeing or hearing The World Bank Group… 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 something about the WBG in the last 30 days gave higher ratings on key messages regarding the supports Honduras to address the health 7.3 impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and WBG’s work. increase vaccination rates* 5.9 helps Honduras improve human development Respondents who recalled seeing or hearing something outcomes through improving healthcare, 6.9 about the WBG in the last 30 days also reported education, and social protection* 6.0 significantly higher levels of familiarity (mean=7.1) compared to those who reported not hearing or seeing is improving gender equity and inclusion for 6.9 women and girls.* 5.6 anything about the WBG recently (mean=5.7). is helping Honduras strengthen resilience to 6.8 In addition, Respondents who recalled seeing or hearing natural hazards and climate change.* 5.9 something about the WBG in the last 30 days gave significantly higher ratings for the WBG’s relevance supports countries to help build stronger health 6.8 (mean=6.8) and alignment (mean=6.5) compared to systems that are more resilient to pandemics * 5.7 those who reported not hearing or seeing anything recently (means=5.7, and 5.5, respectively). helps address the current food crisis and 6.7 enables greater preparedness to future food security crises* 5.9 Heard about the These findings suggest that respondents who are WBG in the last more frequently exposed to information about the 30 days supports countries to ensure transition to more 6.7 WBG, or who actively engage with WBG staff and diversified and cleaner sources of energy* 6.0 knowledge work (read research papers, etc.), are Have NOT is committed to comprehensive debt solutions heard about the also more likely to hold more positive views about 6.7 WBG in the last that bring significant benefits to people in poor the WBG’s work. countries* 5.5 30 days 6.5 *Significantly helps countries strengthen violence prevention* different 5.5 Do you recall seeing or hearing anything about the WBG in the last 30 days? Q To what extent do you agree with the following statements: Scale: 1-10 (1: To no degree at all – 10: To a very significant degree) 38 Frequency of Engagement ➔ Message Recall Respondents who recalled hearing something about the WBG in the last 30 days tended to have more frequent interactions with the institution across all channels, significantly so for encountering information about the WBG in international and local media and engaging with WBG social media, as well as visiting WBG website. Do you recall seeing or hearing anything about the WBG in the last 30 days? Yes (N=~61) No (N=~58) Every few days/weeks Every few months Every few days/weeks Every few months Read or heard a story about the WBG in Read or heard a story about the WBG in international media 59% 34% 24% 47% international media Read or heard a story about the WBG in Read or heard a story about the WBG in national or local media 56% 34% 19% 53% national or local media Read a WBG post / tweet on social media Read a WBG post / tweet on social 47% 29% 12% 40% media Visited a WBG website 39% 31% Visited a WBG website 10% 46% Read a WBG e-newsletter Read some, or all, of a WBG research 34% 41% 7% 41% paper or publication Read some, or all, of a WBG research paper or publication 25% 53% Read a WBG e-newsletter 5% 29% Had an exchange with WBG staff, in Attended a WBG 20% 45% event/conference/seminar/workshop 5% person, virtually, or by phone/email/text 22% Attended a WBG Had an exchange with WBG staff, in 15% 40% person, virtually, or by phone/email/text 3% event/conference/seminar/workshop 24% Q Over the past SIX MONTHS, on average how often did you do any of the following related to the World Bank Group (WBG)? (N=~119) 39 Demographics of the Sample 40 Respondent Profile: Affiliation, Specialization, Status Current Affiliation Specialization % of Respondents % of Respondents Other 22% Media 17% Education 21% Academia/Research Institute/ Generalist (specialize in multiple sectors) 15% 14% Think Tank Finance and markets 8% Private Sector 14% Macroeconomics, fiscal management 7% Bilateral or Multilateral Agency Public sector governance, anti-corruption 6% 13% Health 5% Local Government Office or Staff 12% Agriculture and food security 3% Self-identified Social protection, labor policies, jobs 2% Civil Society Organization 10% status Urban development 2% Office of a Parliamentarian Senior level 8% 55% Disaster risk management 2% (National Assembly, Legislative body) Mid-level Gender 1% Office of the President, Minister 23% 5% decision-maker / manager Water, sanitation 1% Mid-level staff 14% Government Institution 4% Digital development 1% Junior level 8% Energy / Extractives 1% Poverty 1% Q Which of the following best describes your current affiliation? (Select only 1 response) (N=140) Please identify the primary specialization of your work. (Select only 1 response) (N=122) 41 Within your organization, would you describe yourself as …. (N=128) Respondent Profile: Collaboration with the WBG Collaboration with the WBG Collaboration Institution 11% The World Bank (IDA) 19% Yes The International Finance Corporation (IFC) 2% No The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) 1% 89% International Centre for Settlement of Investment 1% Disputes (ICSID) Currently, do you professionally collaborate/work with the World Bank Group (IDA, IFC, MIGA, ICSID) in your country? (N=144) Q Which of the following agencies of the World Bank Group do you primarily collaborate/work with in Honduras? (Select only 1 response) (N=140) 42 Respondent Profile: Demographics Gender Location Tegucigalpa 76% 34% Female San Pedro Sula 5% Male 66% Litoral Norte (North 6% Coast) Occidente 9% (Western Region) Age Olancho/ Eastern 2% 25 and under 2% Region (Oriente) 26-35 6% Zona Sur 2% (Southern Area) 36-45 21% 46-55 40% 56 and above 31% What’s your gender? (N=128) Q What’s your age (N=129) 43 Which best represents your geographic location? (N=128) Methodology 44 Methodology From January 2023 to May 2023, 445 stakeholders of the WBG in Honduras were invited to provide their opinions on the WBG’s work in the country by participating in a Country Opinion Survey. Participants were drawn from the Office of the President, Minister, Parliament/legislative branch, government institutions; local governments; bilateral / multilateral agencies; private sector; civil society organizations; academia, research institutes, think tanks, and the media. A total of 144 stakeholders participated in the survey (32% response rate). Respondents completed the questionnaire via an online platform. Every country that engages in the Country Opinion Survey (COS) must include specific indicator questions; several of them are aggregated for the World Bank Group’s annual Corporate Scorecard (please refer to the Indicator questions section of this report. 45 Year comparison Percentage of Respondents FY 2019 FY 2023 The results of this year’s Country Survey were High-Level Government Offices: Office of compared to those of the Country Survey conducted 8% 13% the President, Minister, Parliamentarian in FY19 (response rate was 35%, N=144). Comparing responses across Country Surveys reflect Government Institutions: Employee of a Ministry, Department, Agency, Executive changes in attitudes over time, but also changes in Agency, Project Implementation Unit, 23% 4% respondent samples and changes to the survey Independent Government Institution, instrument itself. To reduce the influence of the latter Judiciary, State-Owned Enterprise factor, only those questions with similar response Local Government 5% 12% scales/options are analyzed. Bilateral/Multilateral Agency: Embassy, The distribution of the stakeholder groups in the final Development Organization, Development 16% 13% samples in FY19 and FY23 country surveys are listed in Bank, UN Agency the table on the right. Civil Society Organization: NGOs, This year’s survey saw an increased outreach to and/or Community-Based Organization, Private response from high-level government officials, local Foundation, Professional /Trade 13% 10% government, academia, and media, but a decrease in Association, Faith-Based Group, Youth Group outreach to and/or response from the government institutions. These differences in the stakeholder Private Sector: Private Company, composition between the two years should be taken into Financial Sector Organization, Private 15% 14% consideration when interpreting the results of the past- Bank, Micro, Small and Medium-sized year comparison analyses. Enterprise Academia/Research Institute/Think Tank 8% 15% Media 10% 17% Other 4% 1% Total Number of Respondents 144 144 46 Statistical analysis To attribute respondents to different stakeholder groups, their self-reported responses to the question “Which of Stakeholder groups n % the following best describes your current affiliation?” were used. National Government 25 18% Breakdowns for individual questions by stakeholder group can be found in the “Honduras COS FY23 Local Government 17 12% Appendices with data breakdowns.xlsx” file published in the WBG Microdata Library, along with the survey Bilateral / Multilateral Agency 18 13% microdata and this report. Scale bucketing: Civil Society 15 11% When mentioning Low, Medium, and High in scales throughout the report: 1-6 is low, 7-8 is medium, and 9- 10 is high. Private Sector 20 14% Statistical significance: Academia 22 15% Key statistically significant findings are denoted with an asterisk (*) throughout the report or discussed in the descriptions of the charts. Significance is measured at Media 25 18% p-value < .05 Total 142 100% 47 Qualitative analysis In the qualitative part of the questionnaire, respondents were invited to share their thoughts about the ways the WBG could help increase its effectiveness in Honduras in the future: Summary of the main themes in qualitative comments “In your opinion, what is the most important thing the World Bank Group could do to help increase its effectiveness in Honduras? (Please be specific)” Areas for WBG focus 39% A total of 55 responses were received; they varied in length from a few words to a few sentences. The Operations 25% comments were broadly grouped into four buckets based on their main theme (please see the chart to the right) and summarized in the section “The Future Role of the Communication 21% World Bank Group in Honduras”. Individual quotes were used throughout the report in relevant sections to illustrate quantitative data. Colalboration 15% 48 Indicator questions A2_5. To what extent do you trust the World Bank Group to do what is right? Scale: 1-10 (1: To no degree at all – 10: To a very significant degree) A3_1. How effective has the World Bank Group been in achieving development results in Honduras? A4. The World Bank Group currently plays a relevant role in development in Honduras, Scale: 1-10 (1: Strongly disagree – 10: Strongly agree) A5. The World Bank Group’s work is aligned with what I consider the development priorities for Honduras, Scale: 1-10 (1: Strongly disagree – 10: Strongly agree) A6. To what extent does the World Bank Group influence the development agenda in Honduras? Scale: 1-10 (1: To no degree at all– 10: To a very significant degree) A7. How significant a contribution do you believe the World Bank Group's knowledge work and activities make to development results in your country?, Scale: 1-10 (1: Not significant at all – 10: Very significant) To what extent is the World Bank Group an effective development partner in Honduras, in terms of each of the following? – Scale: 1-10 (1: To no degree at all – 10: To a very significant degree) C2. Responsiveness to needs, C3. Access to WBG staff and experts, C4. Flexibility when circumstances change, C5. Being a long-term partner, To what extent is the WBG an effective development partner in Honduras, in terms of collaborating with the following groups: – Scale: 1-10 (1: To no degree at all – 10: To a very significant degree) C7_1.Collaboration with the national government C7_5.Collaboration with the private sector C7_6.Collaboration with civil society C7_7.Collaboration with other donor and development partners C8_1 The WBG’s financial instruments meet the needs of Honduras (i.e., investment lending, Development Policy Loan, Trust Funds), Scale: 1-10 (1: Strongly disagree – 10: Strongly agree) C8_4. The WBG provides financial support in a timely manner. Scale: 1-10 (1: Strongly disagree – 10: Strongly agree) C10_1. I am satisfied with the quality of the WBG’s advisory services and analytical work in Honduras. Scale: 1-10 (1: Strongly disagree – 10: Strongly agree) C10_4. The WBG’s advice and recommendations are tailored to Honduras’s context. Scale: 1-10 (1: Strongly disagree – 10: Strongly agree) Note: Corporate Scorecard questions are highlighted RED 49