South Asia

The development objectives of the Power Sector Reform and Sustainable Hydropower Development (PSRSHD) Project for Nepal are to strengthen the capacity of power sector... Show More + agencies to: (a) plan and prepare hydropower and transmission line projects following international standards and best practices; and (b) improve the planning, policy, legal, and regulatory framework for sustainable water resource management and hydropower development. Some of the negative impacts and mitigation measures include: (1) identifying and assessing possible impacts downstream of the proposed dams; (2) undertaking detailed analysis of the type and levels of impacts upon different populations; (3) developing of a socioeconomic profile of the potentially affected communities; (4) developing necessary mitigation strategy and intervention measures based on the impact analysis; (5) undertaking an assessment of potential public health impacts of the project during pre-construction, construction, and post-construction stages; and evaluating the need for appropriate interventions; and (6) designing a project public health action plan to mitigate adverse impacts, reduce occupational hazards and health risks, and support the health and well-being of local communities. Show Less -

The Second Higher Education Project for Nepal has the following revised project development objectives: (a) enhanced quality, efficiency and relevance of higher education... Show More + through a set of systemic reforms and incentives to selected institutions; and (b) improved access for academically qualified students from disadvantaged groups in (i) higher education and (ii) higher secondary education. In March 2011, the several significant revisions in components were approved. About US$4 million from IDA financing for reforms grants were reallocated to higher secondary education. Other significant changes include the amendment of the Financing Agreement dated April 30, 2007. The overall outcome rating is 'Satisfactory'; for this structured project, its outcome is assessed against both its original and revised project objectives. The outcome of the original project is rated 'Moderately Satisfactory' due to its high relevance and efficient achievement of both development objectives which met all three outcome indicators at project closing, but fell short in two of nine results indicators. The outcome of the revised project is rated 'Highly Satisfactory' due to its high relevance and the efficient achievement of most targets of outcome and intermediate indicators directly linked to project interventions. This project was developed and implemented in a fragile country environment with limited resources and connectivity but with high demand for higher education from its young population. The project holds many rich lessons for other low-income countries facing similar issues: with appropriate recognition and catalytic support, community-run institutions can outperform public-funded institutions; for national development, human resources are critical and access to higher education should not be limited to a select few; and widespread consultations with all stakeholders are important for major reforms and full ownership. Show Less -