Poverty Analysis and Data Initiative (PADI)

1. Poverty Analysis and Data Initiative (PADI) Capacity Enhancement Program of WBI To Support a Network of researchers, policymakers, and data producers Shahid Khandker, Lead Economist, WBI

2. Poverty Analysis and Data Initiative (PADI): What it means • In support of PRSP process, WBI introduced the global Poverty Analysis and Data Initiative (PADI) to enhance capacity for PRS formulation, implementation, monitoring and impact evaluation: • Objectives: 1. Enhance in-country analytic capacity in poverty measurment & diagnostics, poverty monitoring, and impact evaluation 2. Strengthen in-country statistical capacity in improved poverty data collection, management and dissemination 3. Improve quality of and timely access to poverty data. 4. Enhance in-country policy research on poverty reduction and program impact evaluation, and 5. Promote evidence-based policymaking Data is necessary but not sufficient for linkage of analysis to policymaking:

3. Central role of data in PADI activities Poverty Measurement and Diagnostics Strengthening national capacity in poverty measurement and diagnostics; provides baseline for monitoring and evaluating the outcomes of the PRS. Monitoring Strengthening the monitoring systems, follow established indicators of progress and development identified initially with reference to baseline Impact Evaluation Strengthening national capacity to carry out both ex-ante and ex-post impact evaluation of the poverty and social impact of projects, programs, and policies. Better Data Collection and Dissemination Strategy Supports all of the above, via specific tools, techniques and procedures

4. Rationale for PADI • Better data can be produced if agency knows who using it and for what purpose • Better analysis can be undertaken if researchers know what data is available, how it is constructed, and what might be feasibly obtained • Better policy implementation is possible when policymakers know research findings, have confidence in this research… • …and see gains from evidence-based policymaking

5. PADI as an organizing mechanism • WBI seeks to avoid model where support is delivered piecemeal from the outside • Preference for countries to develop their own sequenced strategy of capacity enhancement which WBI would support • PADI natural vehicle for this: country assesses where needs are greatest in the three pillars • We don’t expect instant results but want a multi-year program so we can see results

6. PADI as a coordinating mechanism • From country perspective, big problem is stretching capacity to meet multiple donor demands • In response, WBI sees PADI as a template into which donors and international agencies can map their efforts • Appraise the needs and let each partner decide where their comparative advantage is • Programs jointly planned and delivered in coordination (e.g. WB Region, DEC, IEG) • Regional PADI program in coordination with country PADI chapters– e.g., IPRCC in China housed PADI East Asia Secretariat to coordinate Asia program

7. Types of Activities undertaken by PADI • Regional workshops/seminars to promote analytical and statistical capacities; • Senior Policymakers seminars for advocacy and awareness; • In-country workshops to broaden local capacity; • Regional fora to disseminate research findings; • Websites for PADI, Poverty Analysis Community

8. General PADI Technical courses • Basic Poverty Course (poverty measurement & diagnostics) • Basic Monitoring and Evaluation (econometric & statistical tools for program & policy evaluation) • Poverty Reduction Strategy Monitoring (design & implementation of a M&E system for PRSP) • Poverty Mapping (Tools for combined census-survey poverty measurement) • Poverty Dynamics (Study of transitions in & out of poverty & vulnerability to poverty) • Advanced Impact Evaluation (state-of-the-art tools for program and policy evaluation) • Enhancing Statistical Capacity (help statistical agencies assess current capacity & draw up sequenced plan for improvement)

9. PADI Country Focus • Recognizes intensive needs of selected countries and stakeholders; • Build on horizontal reach of regional programs with vertical focus on particular countries • Customized in-country offerings based on needs assessments • Regional offerings: Example: regional participation for Balkan countries in poverty analysis workshop

10. Conclusions: Essential features of PADI • Multiyear • Sustainable • Global concept • Regional coordination • Country-driven design and implementation • Not reinventing the wheel: a lot of the infrastructure is already there • Can be a focal point for countries and donors