Regional : Development Partnership Program for South Asia

Education / Education sector development - Technical and vocational education and training - Tertiary

Public sector management / Economic affairs management

The initial contribution amounted to $8.5 (equivalent to A$11 million) which was provided over a period of five years (from 2006 to 2011). In April 2012, AusAID provided an additional funding of $3.155 (equivalent to A$3 million) bringing the total grant amount to about $11.655 million. The additional financing will maintain the momentum and maximize the impact and sustainability of the assistance provided to date under the facility and enhance the visibility of the AusAID-ADB partnership. Expected completion date of the RETA is on 30 June 2014.

The RETA has financed 27 subprojects of which 12 have been completed. The remaining 15 subprojects in the portfolio are at various stages of implementation, with six subprojects having been approved only in September and October 2012. There is strong evidence from the 12 completed and 15 ongoing subprojects of the results and outputs contributing to the expected outcome and impact of the RETA. Selected outcomes for which evidence is available include: (i) enhanced good governance and improved financial management systems (Bhutan and Maldives); (ii) strengthened capacity of executing agencies to reduce corruption and mismanagement of resources (Bhutan); (iii)improved service delivery (Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka); (iv) improved enterprise registration, licensing and clearance for business start-ups (Bhutan); and (v) policy options for increased inter and intraregional trade (South Asia). Outcomes are also expected in terms of wider adoption of compost based municipal solid waste management across the region, development of women's enterprises (Bangladesh), and enhanced capacity of policy makers to integrate innovative approaches in preparing long term plans in the education sector (South Asia). A concrete statement on project outcomes and impacts can, however, only be made after the subprojects are completed and a reasonable period to generate expected impacts has elapsed.

All the subprojects financed under the facility have clear objectives and outputs related to good governance (8), RCI (5), inclusive growth (5), urban infrastructure and service delivery (4), human resources and development (3), and climate change resilience and green growth (2).

Innovative intervention has been the most broadly supported of four output types under the facility, both in terms of the number of subprojects (19) and the total approved amount (US$9.7 million) of the subprojects in which it has played a part. This reflects the original intent and agreement to encourage innovative proposals between ADB and AusAID during the establishment of the facility and the design of the RETA.

The RETA is surpassing its original output targets by (i) implementing 19 innovative projects, against a target of 10; (ii) completing four strategic regional conferences (target: 2); and (iii) conducting more than 10 information projects, against a target of 10; (ii) completing four strategic regional conferences (target: 2); and (iii) conducting more than 10 information dissemination workshops, compared with a target of 2. So far, it has completed three targeted assessments with additional three expected from the recently approved subprojects (target: 5). Several strategic regional conferences and information dissemination workshops are planned under the six recently approved subprojects, thus, exceeding the original targets.

A regional workshop was organized and held on 10-11 November 2014 in Manila.

Ongoing financial closure.