Project Appraisal for Donor Funded Projects

Developing countries implement many investment projects supported by development partners. To acquire finances needed for these projects, the implementing agencies are often required to develop a project appraisal document (PAD). The conceptualization and design of the project must meet some thresholds from the providers of finance. The project appraisal must for example clearly be in line with the country’s priorities, fit the sectoral priorities, outline higher level development objectives and have robust rationale on who the key beneficiaries will be. The project must also be described in a precise and concise manner and be clear on what the project components are, the implementing agencies involved in the project and the implementation arrangements that should be in place. In addition, the risks associated with the project need to be properly diagnosed using frameworks recommended by the financing institutions. 

Many implementing agencies strive to package the project appraisal documents. While innovative ideas on the project exist within these institutions, putting these ideas together in a logical, consistent and comprehensive manner that complies to the development partner’s requirements has remained a challenge. An appreciation of why some requirements are in place from the development partners, or even how those partners work needs to be heightened.

This programme offers a step by step process on how to conceptualize and design a project appraisal document for financing by the development partners including the world bank, African development bank and the European Investment Bank among others. It is a ‘do-it-yourself’ course which is skill-based, and participants will be required to have identified an area for which they will develop a project appraisal document.