POVERTY REDUCTION STRATEGY PAPER ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) were introduced in 1999 by the World Bank and the IMF as a new framework to enhance domestic accountability for poverty reduction reform efforts (Web.worldbank.org). The initial Structural Adjustment Programme failed, as pointed out by Rapley, 2007, almost every country that has implemented structural adjustment programme has seen its own share of strikes and riots in response to deteriorating living standards and rising unemployment. Donors acknowledged that, lack of government commitment or “ownership” was a main factor for the failure of structural adjustment policies (Driscoll et al, 2004). As a result, the IMF and World Bank restructured their terms of engagement. They promoted PRSPs as being “country owned”, participatory and as taking a universal approach to poverty (Bradshaw and Linneker, 2003). However, whether these arguments reflect the reality is open for debate.

Through in-depth analysis of various PRSPs articles and civil society reports, the report will analyse the concept of PRSPs for the purpose of enlightening a British based development Non- Governmental Organisation.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

• Analyse the significant change in policy and discuss what PRSPs actually entails.
• Provide a clear and balanced analysis to the British based development NGO before they promote the participation of national civil actors in the PRSP design process. Finally, the report will recommend to the NGO to promote PRSPs and advise other national civil actors like women group to fully engage with PRSPs process.

WHAT ARE PRSPs?
According to Wood, 2000, the PRSP is a national programme for poverty reduction which is the foundation for lending programmes with the IMF and World Bank. It has taken the place of former ‘policy framework paper. The Bank and Fund lined