Economics & Development

Ratings for the Rio Grande do Norte: Regional Development and Governance Project for Brazil were as follows: outcome and Bank performance was moderately satisfactory, and monitoring and evaluation (M and E) quality was substantial. Some lessons learned included: regional and territorial development seeking transformative impact requires multi-sector operations, but their design must balance complexity, feasibility, and realism. They demand extensive monitoring and can benefit from non-standard technologies: satellite imaging, geo-referencing, and mobile applications. O and M needs and costs can be significant and need priority attention. Standard forms of mobilization, even culturally sensitive, are not enough. Special socialization and training are needed to help them access, understand and complete project documentation; their internet skills and connectivity cannot be assumed. Some value chains, and tiers within value chains, are demonstrably more enabling of family agriculture business growth than others and sound value chain analysis is key for project efficiency. Modern health infrastructure investments need qualified, skilled professionals to staff and manage them and financial mechanisms for longer-term O and M. Roads projects need to integrate maintenance so that it does not remain an unfulfilled goal at closing. The high school dropout rate responded positively to improved curricula, teacher training and preparation, and modernized buildings and classrooms, but age-grade distortion needs attention. The planning and implementation of self-management systems should be integrated in Bank lending for water supply and sanitation services (WSS) in dispersed rural communities in the semi-arid. Tourism development impinges on other sectors of the RN economy and needs to industrialize.