Integrated Safeguards Data Sheet (Concept Stage) - Bangladesh Safety Net Systems for the Poorest Project - P132634

 INTEGRATED SAFEGUARDS DATA SHEET CONCEPT STAGE Public Disclosure Copy Report No.: ISDSC1414 Date ISDS Prepared/Updated: 21-Oct-2012 I. BASIC INFORMATION A. Basic Project Data Country: Bangladesh Project ID: P132634 Project Name: Bangladesh Safety Net Systems for the Poorest Project (P132634) Task Team Iffath Anwar Sharif Leader: Estimated 15-May-2013 Estimated 18-Jul-2013 Appraisal Date: Board Date: Managing Unit: SASSP Lending Specific Investment Loan Instrument: Sector: Other social services (100%) Theme: Social safety nets (100%) Financing (In USD Million) Financing Source Amount BORROWER/RECIPIENT 0.00 International Development Association (IDA) 300.00 Public Disclosure Copy Total 300.00 Environmental B - Partial Assessment Category: Is this a Yes Repeater project? B. Project Objectives The objective of this proposed project is to improve the equity, efficiency, and transparency of key social safety net programs to enable the poorest households to better cope with poverty and vulnerability. To meet its objective the project will focus on thefollowing three results areas: (i) Better equity by focusing on more effective targeting mechanism. A National Household Poverty Registry (NHPR) will be developed for the delivery of transfers made by DMRD’s programs, as well as all other targeted services provided by other Ministries. In the interim all of DMRD’s programs will harmonize their beneficiary identification procedures based on geographical, household and gender level targeting mechanisms.  (ii) Increased administrative efficiency of these programs such that program level implementation is simplified and formalized. This will be done by consolidating and rationalizing operational processes; including adequate field level monitoring personnel; developing clear guidelines for Public Disclosure Copy program implementation and a modern record keeping system based on a common IT platform. The use of ICT will be utilized to simply processes, where applicable such as in the payments and grievance redress mechanisms. These activities will be underpinned by a results-oriented Action Plan for the implementation of DMRD’s programs to guide the management of this process. (iii) Enhanced transparency in the implementation of these programs via the adoption of better accountability measures. Program objectives and rules, particularly payment mechanisms, will be well-publicized. Key stakeholders at the local level such as local government and administration officials will be involved for extensive outreach as well as for facilitating local level implementation. Grievance redress and appeal processes will be included, as well as a framework for strengthening the monitoring and evaluation of the programs, including third party monitoring and robust impact evaluations. C. Project Description The proposed project will take the form of “Results-based