Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction

Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction
Updated: 1 October 2008

The Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR) is an untied grant facility established by the Japanese Government and ADB in May 2000. From an initial contribution of $90 million, the Fund now stands at well over $360 million, of which $224 million has been committed. JFPR assists ADB clients to provide direct relief to the poorest and most vulnerable segments of society while building up their capacities for self-help and income generation.

The JFPR

• initiates and supports innovative programs that have high potential for improving the affected countries' situations
• provides relatively rapid, demonstrable benefits through initiatives that have positive prospects of developing into sustainable activities over the long term
• assists programs designed and implemented by local populations and civil society

A similar fund, the Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF), is being administered by the World Bank.

Partnerships with Civil Society

The JFPR is a tool for local communities and civil society organizations, including NGOs, to actively participate in the development process. The partnerships are forged in two ways:

1. The community group or NGO may collaborate with ADB task team currently managing an existing and related ADB financed project in conceptualizing and designing the proposed grant. However, only ADB staff can officially submit the JFPR applications. Civil society groups are advised to establish contacts with the country teams directly or through the NGO liaison officers/Civil society specialists in ADB field offices.



2. The JFPR grants may be executed by recipient governments (central or local) or by civil society organizations. The executing agency may procure the services of civil society organizations in implementing specific grant activities.

If you have any questions, please contact us.