Complaints from Beneficiaries: A Valuable Resource for Project Implementation

Problems often arise in large and complex projects, leading to complaints from intended beneficiaries. The Asian Development Bank's Earthquake and Tsunami Emergency Support Project in Indonesia established several avenues for receiving and responding to complaints at the project level. The complaint-handling systems provided feedback about problems and enabled their early resolution before they escalated into difficult issues, resulting in smoother project implementation.

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Speeding Business Application Processes in the Philippines

The Philippines is ranked 162 out of 183 countries in terms of ease of starting a business, according to the Doing Business 2010 Report. The Department of Trade and Industry has moved to raise the country's ranking by simplifying the process necessary to start sole proprietorships and corporations. A significant effort has been the development of the Unified Form in the department's National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center. (No. 21 | November 2009)

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When Size Matters - Improving Microfinance Outreach in Aceh Through a Revitalized Provincial Rural Bank Network

The Asian Development Bank-assisted Earthquake and Tsunami Emergency Support Project aimed, among others, to develop sustainable and responsive financial services for micro and small enterprises in Aceh in Sumatra, Indonesia. By Mariano A. Cordero, Rizal Matondang, and Pieter Smidt (No. 20 | November 2009)

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Mapping the Sea: Knowledge for Natural Resources Management

With loss of life from the devastating tsunami of 2004, knowledge of fishing grounds around Aceh was reduced: the locations of reefs and other underwater hazards became less clear to the remaining fishers; consequently, they frequently damaged or lost their nets. To restore knowledge of fishing grounds, the ADB-assisted Earthquake and Tsunami Emergency Support Project partnered with he Panglima Laot-Aceh's traditional fishing authority and with fishers to conduct a community-based bathymetric survey and map the ocean floor. The beneficiaries collected data to help produce maps of hazardous coastal areas, potential fishing grounds, and ocean currents. Because of the survey, the Panglima Laot and fishers learned to partner with others and their capacity to keep more transparent accounts was improved. By Pieter Smidt and Richard Beresford (No. 19 | October 2009)

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Partnering with Communities for Post-Disaster Reconstruction in Aceh and Nias Island, North Sumatra, Indonesia

Community contracts and block grant modalities successfully channeled reconstruction funds directly to targeted beneficiaries. Community participation hinged on effective support at all levels in partnership with and through the active involvement of local leaders and organizations.Community participation in project delivery systems enhanced ownership; created local employment, especially for women; and produced better quality outputs. By Pieter Smidt and Richard Beresford (No. 18 | October 2009)

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Beyond Emergency Responses: Ensuring the Legacy of Market-Based Microfinance Expansion

The creation of a Microfinance Innovation Fund was a prominent feature of the Earthquake and Tsunami Emergency Support Project in Indonesia. To coopt success, before establishing the Fund, the project provided technical assistance to build the capacity of partner banks, created a Board for the Fund, setup guidelines for operations, extended loans and deposits at near-market rates, and partnered with PT. Permodalan Nasional Madani that assumed the role of Fund custodian. The Microfinance Innovation Fund is set to continue successful fund operations long after project completion. [ No. 17 October 2009 ]
By Mariano A. Cordero, Rizal Matondang, and Pieter Smidt
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Transforming Risk-Averse Banks into Microfinance Champions in a Post-Disaster and Post-Conflict Environment

Adoption of Grameen microfinance technology by risk-averse, development-oriented banks was a prominent feature of the Earthquake and Tsunami Emergency Support Project in Indonesia. The project raised awareness of the potential of microfinancing by sharing good practices, revealing opportunities, conducting exposure trips, providing training and refresher courses, monitoring, and building full commitment at all levels in partner banks in the management and provision of microfinance. [ No. 16 October 2009 ]
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Addressing Energy-Efficiency with Virtual Power Plants

Improved incentives and regulatory measures can promote widespread investments in virtual efficiency power plant initiatives. Energy-efficiency champions can fill the information gap on new energy-efficient technologies. Lending and credit can help small and medium-sized enterprises fund energy-efficient initiatives. [ No. 15 September 2009 ] by Jeffrey Liang, Siew Fing Wong, and Hongliang Yang Read the paper

Restoring Pedestrian Accessibility in Indian Cities

Traffic accidents are a major cause of death in low-income countries. India's urban transport policy focuses on continuous road building and ignores the long-term impacts of more roads, preferred modes of transportation, and lack of pedestrian access To reduce traffic fatalities, an integrated and sustainable urban transport policy must restore pedestrian accessibility, and minimize dependence on motor vehicles. [ No. 14 September 2009 ] by Professor Madhav G. Badami
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Rebuilding Low-Heritage Villages After Disasters

Reconstruction and rehabilitation of homes damaged by the 2004 and 2005 earthquakes was a prominent feature of the Earthquake and Tsunami Emergency Sector Project in Indonesia. In low-heritage villages, residents were offered the option of building conventional or low-cost "Malay" housing units. [ No. 13 July 2009 ] by Florian Steinberg
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Rebuilding Traditional Houses After Disasters

On Nias Island, ADB's Earthquake and Tsunami Emergency Project reconstructed and rehabilitated seven villages damaged by the 2004 and 2005 earthquakes. Through the community contracting method, residents rebuilt their houses that preserved architectural traditions and incorporated earthquake resistant features. [ No. 12 July 2009 ]
by Florian Steinberg
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Tackling Extreme Poverty Using a Household-based Approach

The world’s poorest households continue to be the most vulnerable in the face of multiple global crises. A household-based approach can work to alleviate ultra-poverty. [ No. 11 April 2009 ]by Karim AlibhaiRead the paper [ PDF: 1.01mb 2 pages ]

Better Air Quality Improves Quality of Life

Reducing sulfur in fuels is essential to lowering vehicular pollution. Fuel and vehicles are parts of an integrated system and must be addressed together. [ No. 10 April 2009 ]
by Masami Tsuji
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Institutionalizing Gender Equality at ADB: The Experience of the Bangladesh Resident Mission

Between 1998-2007, Bangladesh had the highest proportion of projects with significant gender mainstreaming at ADB. The social changes in the country and the increasing commitment of line agencies provided momentum to mainstream gender concerns. [ No. 9 March 2009 ]
by Francesco Tornieri
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Improving Regional Cooperation in Energy Today

Approaches to regional energy cooperation depend on subregional resources, the market mix, and associated interests. ADB’s organizational setup and set of incentives can be adjusted to further drive regional energy cooperation. Except in the Greater Mekong Subregion, the role of multilateral development banks in regional energy cooperation has been uncertain.[ No. 8 March 2009 ]
by Jun Tian
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ADB's Regional Cooperation and Integration Today

At present, ADB leads the promotion of regional cooperation among the multilateral development banks. Increased lending for regional cooperation will require greater financial resources, technical expertise, and investment in knowledge products. [ No. 7 February 2009 ]by Myo Thant
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Bus Rapid Transit in the People's Republic of China

Sustainable transport policy limits, rather than promotes the use of private vehicles. As a mass transit option, Bus Rapid Transit systems cost ten times less and are quicker to construct than metro systems [ No. 6 February 2009 ]
by Karl Fjellstrom and Duan Xiaomei
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Using Economic Instruments to Promote Environmentally Sustainable Transportation in the People's Republic of China

Growing energy consumption in transport is unsustainable. Current carbon dioxide emission levels need to be better controlled. Economic instruments can promote environmentally sustainable transport. [ No. 5 January 2009 ]by Manmohan Parkash and David S. Sobel
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Measuring Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Road Transport

Transport is the fastest growing CO2 emitter. You can’t fix what you can’t measure. Enhanced planning, use of technology, and incentives are “smart transport” options. [ No. 4 December 2008 ]by Lee Schipper
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Love Your Car or Love Your City

Unrestrained growth of cars is destroying livable cities. Equitable mobility is required. Therefore, in addition to supporting economic growth, urban transport must remain environmentally sustainable and accessible by the poor. [ No. 3 December 2008 ] by James Leather
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Bogotá’s Experience in Sustainable City Development

An advanced democracy can be measured by the width of its sidewalks. TransMilenio is an approved clean development mechanism transport project. [ No. 2 December 2008 ]
by Enrique Peñalosa
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The Urgent Need for "Smart Urban Transport" to Combat Climate Change in the People's Republic of China

Increased transport and associated CO2 emissions contribute to climate change. Cities are a primary emissions source. Enhanced planning, use of technology, and incentives are “smart transport” options. [ No. 1 November 2008 ]
by Toshiyuki Yokota and David S. Sobel
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