Publications

	Table of Contents
p. 2 of 12 BACK | NEXT Background ADB Policies ADB Handbook on Social Analysis (2007) SA for Country Partnership Strategy SA for Regional Country Partnership Strategy SA for Projects Project Templates (IPSA and SPRSS) ADB's SA Tools by Topic ADB's SA Tools by Type of Project ADB Project SA Examples Sample Terms of Reference References

Social Analysis Tools

---

ADB Policies

The key ADB policy on social development is Bank Policies (BP) C3 "Incorporation of Social Dimensions into ADB Operations" [ PDF ] in ADB's Operations Manual (Issued on 6 December 2010). This replaced and updated the previous Bank Policy 47 (Issued on 25 April 2007) that mandated an initial social analysis to all ADB projects.

The updated ADB Policy on Incorporation of Social Dimensions into ADB Operations recognizes the role of social elements — e.g., gender, ethnicity, race, caste, age, etc. — in influencing the nature of the institutions (formal and informal rules, norms and values) that determine the level and nature of people's access and capability. To achieve ADB's overarching goal of poverty reduction, it is essential to transform institutions into ones that promote inclusiveness, equity, empowerment, and social security.

To develop such institutions, the ADB Policy mandates:

• encouraging consultation and participation by stakeholders
• addressing gender considerations in ADB operations at all levels
• integrating social analysis at all levels of programming and programs/projects
• ensuring that project design and implementation arrangements include actions to enhance benefits and to monitor and evaluate social impacts of programs/projects

The Policy applies to both public and private sector operations.

The Policy on Incorporation of Social Dimensions into ADB Operations is backed by the Operational Procedures (OP) C3 [ PDF: 31kb ] that mandates the following:

• Country partnership strategy (CPS): Social dimensions of ADB's operations in a developing member country is to be examined and integrated into the country poverty analysis, sector road maps, and/or thematic strategies and as key inputs to the CPS
• Project conceptualization: An initial poverty and social analysis (IPSA) is required for all loan and grant-based investment projects and programs to identify social issues
• Project design: A social analysis is to be carried out to examine opportunities, constraints, and likely social impacts of the project and to identify and formulate design measures and implementation arrangements to maximize the social benefits and avoid or minimize the social risks of the project in a participatory manner. These analysis and actions need to be summarized into the summary poverty reduction and social strategy (SPRSS) attached as a core appendix to the project document
• Project implementation: Appropriate social targets and indicators resulting from the social analysis must be included in the design and monitoring framework of the project. Project reviews need to include review of progress and achievement in social actions and targets, as well as stakeholder participation and mitigation of adverse effects

Besides OM C3, other relevant ADB policies and strategies on social development are summarized in Appendix 12 of Handbook on Social Analysis [ PDF: 541kb | 143 pages ]. Some of them are highlighted below:

• Enhancing the Fight Against Poverty in Asia and the Pacific: The Poverty Reduction Strategy of the Asian Development Bank (2004)
• ADB Policy on Gender and Development (1998)
• Safeguard Policy Statement (2009)
• Cooperation Between ADB and Nongovernment Organizations (1998)
• Public Communication Policy of ADB Disclosure and Exchange of Information (2005)
• Social Protection Strategy (2001)

Back Background	Next ADB Handbook on Social Analysis (2007)