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p. 6 of 6 BACK | NEXT Introduction The NGO Sector The Bank's Experience with NGOs Approaches to the Bank's Cooperation with NGOs Institutional Implications A Policy with NGOs

Cooperation Between the ADB and NGOs

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A Policy with NGOs

While the rationale of the policy on cooperation with NGOs established in the 1987 policy remains valid, the policy approaches defined in the 1987 policy are limited in the context of the changed and changing developmental environment of the Bank's Region, the current and emerging developmental roles of the Bank and NGOs, and the changing relationship between the Bank and NGOs. As such, it is recommended that the existing 1987 policy on the Bank's cooperation with NGOs be amended, to reflect the policy elements shown below.

An expanded program of cooperation with NGOs in its member countries will be pursued. Such cooperation with NGOs would be with a view to strengthening the effectiveness, sustainability, and quality of the development services the Bank provides. The objective of the Bank's cooperation with NGOs should be, where appropriate, to integrate NGO experience, knowledge, and expertise into Bank operations, such that the development efforts the Bank supports will more effectively address the issues and priorities reflected in the Bank's development agenda. At the same time, the role of NGOs as increasingly significant actors in development processes would be recognized.

The Bank will seek to cooperate with competent NGOs that have substantial knowledge in their areas of focus and with which cooperation would be appropriate and mutually beneficial. Such cooperation, whether in project, programming, or policy activities, would relate to the type of NGO, the issue or interest being addressed, and country-specific considerations. The Bank will continue to explore innovative approaches to cooperation with NGOs.

Such cooperation will be undertaken as a part of or in parallel with the Bank's ongoing operations. In country-specific activities, the Bank will continue to recognize priorities and concerns of governments, and the fundamental relationship between the Bank and governments will be the basis of the Bank's respective country-specific operations. Cooperation with NGOs at the country level would be a dynamic process involving the Bank, governments and NGOs, and the Bank would work to foster tripartite relationships involving the Bank, NGOs, and governments.

To facilitate closer operational relationships with NGOs, the Bank will strengthen its internal capacity for NGO cooperation, through staff training, skills development activities, and other specific activities that would strengthen internal capacity.

To support effective cooperation with NGOs, the Bank will maintain and strengthen processes for Bank-NGO consultation and dialogue. As appropriate, the Bank will work to identify mechanisms to expand and strengthen interaction with NGOs in loan and technical assistance activities, in country programming and country-level work, and in policy development. Existing mechanisms for consultation and dialogue with NGOs will be pursued and strengthened. At the same time, the Bank will work to establish a regular, institutionalized program of consultation and dialogue with NGOs. Consultation and dialogue through Resident Missions and Representatives Offices will be pursued and strengthened. Initiatives will be pursued to identify other new and innovative mechanisms for Bank-NGO consultation and dialogue.

Institutional development and capacity-building support for NGOs will be pursued, consistent with overall strategies and existing policy and practice. Institutional development and capacity building for governments in NGO-related matters similarly also will be pursued.

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