Program-for-Results Financing (PforR)

In today’s world, development is about results and institutional strengthening. Everyone—government officials, parliamentarians, civil society, and the private sector—is demanding programs that help deliver sustainable results and build institutions. To address this growing demand, the World Bank developed the Program-for-Results (PforR) financing instrument. 

Focus on results

PforR’s unique features include using a country’s own institutions and processes, and linking disbursement of funds directly to the achievement of specific program results.

Strengthen capacity

This approach helps build capacity within the country, enhances effectiveness and efficiency and leads to achievement of tangible, sustainable program results.

Support borrowers’ programs

PforR is also unique because it supports government programs and helps leverage World Bank development assistance by fostering partnerships and aligning development partner goals and results that can lead to greater development effectiveness.

Availability

PforR is available to all World Bank member countries and is one of three financing instruments offered, accompanying Investment Project Financing (IPF) and Development Policy Financing (DPF). The choice of instrument depends on a client’s needs and the development challenge to be addressed.

Use

Since its creation in 2012, there has been steady increase in the use of PforR. As of September 22, 2025 there are 208 active PforR operations totaling $64.3 billion of Bank financing. In many cases, PforR operations have served as a platform to mobilize development partner support around government programs and the strengthening of those program systems.