Peru, Social Inclusion Technical Assistance Loan
The development objective of the Social Inclusion Technical Assistance Project for Peru is to strengthen MIDIS's (Ministerio de Desarrollo e Inclusion Social - Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion) systems and capacity to improve the performance of MIDIS's programs and to monitor social inclusion policy. There are five components to the project. The first component is quality improvement of MIDIS's programs. The second component is improving knowledge management, information and communication. The third component is strengthening of MIDIS's capacity on results orientation, monitoring and evaluation. The fourth component is strengthening of human resource management and capacity. The fifth component is support to project administration. Commitment Amount: US$ 10.00 million.

Activities:
There are five components to the project. The first component is quality improvement of MIDIS's programs. This component includes: provision of support to design and pilot activities aimed at improving the quality control of MIDIS's programs by: (i) developing user's participation and accountability mechanisms for the MIDIS's programs. The first component contributes to the Project Development Objective (PDO) by supporting activities that improve the performance of MIDIS's programs through accountability mechanisms that institutionalize channels for user's feedback; and the development of planning, information, monitoring and evaluation tools for MIDIS's decentralized offices that coordinate the provision of social programs in the territory. The second component is improving knowledge management, information and communication. This contributes to the PDO by supporting activities that improve the performance of MIDIS's programs and strengthen MIDIS's capacity to monitor social inclusion policy through the implementation of an integrated information platform that includes data from different programs; the interconnectivity of local targeting units that are strengthened with trained staff on information management, monitoring and customer service; and the development of a national communication strategy that includes different approaches for different population groups. The third component is strengthening of MIDIS's capacity on results orientation, monitoring and evaluation. This contributes to the PDO by supporting activities that strengthen MIDIS's capacity to monitor social inclusion policies through the development of information dashboards to oversee infant malnutrition and development plans; and technical assistance to improve the evaluation of programs processes, potential effects and impacts. The fourth component is strengthening of human resource management and capacity. This contributes to the PDO by supporting activities that strengthen MIDIS's systems and capacity to improve the performance of MIDIS's programs through the introduction of result-oriented human resources management practices. The fifth component is support to project administration. This component finances the activities related to management and implementation of the project, including the strengthening of the UCPS's (Unidad de Coordinación de Prestamos Sectoriales - Coordinating Unit for Sectoral Loans) team to be able to facilitate, coordinate and monitor implementation.

http://www.worldbank.org/projects/P131029/pe-social-inclusion-tal?lang=en&tab=overview

Beneficiaries: Close to 5 million poor in Peru

Partners and financing: Government of Peru

Mexico, Savings and Credit Sector Consolidation and Financial Inclusion Project
The objectives of the Savings and Credit Sector Consolidation and Financial Inclusion Project for Mexico are to support the: (a) consolidation of the savings and credit institutions (SCIs); and (b) deepening of financial inclusion in selected areas and selected locations. There are four components to the project, the first component being Consolidation and strengthening of savings and credit institutions. This component provides training and technical assistance to strengthen savings and credit institutions; and provides training and technical assistance to the confederation, federations, self-regulatory bodies, auxiliary supervision committees, and deposit protection funds to enhance their performance. The second component is the broadening access to financial services and products. This component expands access to financial services through technical assistance to Savings and credit entities to increase their membership base; and expanding National Bank for Savings and Financial Services (BANSEFI's) client base through support from banking agents. The third component is the strengthening BANSEFI capacity. This component aims to expand the technological capacity of BANSEFI, including its platform's mainframe. Finally, the fourth component is the project management. This component provides technical assistance, training and material support to BANSEFI's staff and consultants in order to assist them in the implementation of the project. Commitment Amount: US$ 100.00 million.

Activities:
The project has two main components: 1. Consolidation and strengthening sector institutions. This component supports: (a) technical assistance to about 385 sector entities for certification, merger/liquidation, or operational performance improvement; (b) technical assistance, and a one-time equipment, and operating cost reimbursement to about 20 sector institutions consisting of federations, supervision committees, and deposit protection funds; (c) studies for strategy and evaluation, and sector database creation; and (d) communication and dissemination activities. This component is designed to meet the sector institutions’ consolidation objective. 2. Broadening access to financial services and products. This component expands access to financial services and products through four main lines of action: (a) expanding membership base in existing entities (825,000 new members) through a combination of project resources to finance technical assistance and leveraging government funds to finance equipment and operating costs of participating entities to sustain the enhanced membership level; (b) mainstreaming new clients in municipalities where there are no other points of access to financial services using agency banking (5,000 access points covering about one million new clients); (c) expanding the range of financial products offered to members by about 70 entities by incorporating them into the L@red network, and to entities by BANSEFI through technical assistance and communication activities; and (d) creating a demand for financial services through an integrated financial education initiative covering building capacity for multiplier effect, and direct communication with existing and potential financial services users. This component specifically addresses the financial inclusion objective.

http://www.worldbank.org/projects/P123367/rural-savings-credit-sector-consolidation?lang=en&tab=overview

Beneficiaries: Population of Mexico

Partners and financing: Government of Mexico

The WB supports its partner countries in advancing a socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable development path. Reducing inequality and poverty are at the center of this agenda. In response to the financial crisis, the World Bank Group stepped up its commitment to LAC, approving new financing for more than US$15 billion in the last two fiscal years (2009-2010). By June 2011, lending for the fiscal year 2011 is expected to reach around US$12 billion. Emphasis has been given to the economic recovery with a renewed focus in social protection, human development and the environment. The Bank is supporting country efforts to create opportunities for all, while continuing to put solid macroeconomic and financial policies in place.