As the International Finance Corp. — the World Bank’s private sector lending arm — is boosting its investments in fragile states, civil society leaders wonder if they can play a role to enhance the effectiveness of these funds.
During a panel discussion at the Civil Society Forum at the World Bank annual meetings in Washington D.C., a representative from Dutch aid group Cordaid announced they will soon be signing up as a co-investor in one of the IFC investment funds in West Africa. The official asked the panelists how Cordaid — an organization with extensive experience working in fragile states — can help to speed up IFC understanding of fragile contexts so the money is well-spent.
One way nongovernmental organizations can play a role in aid effectiveness in fragile states is through procurement, noted Monica Stephen, head of international institutions at British NGO International Alert.