Reverse Linkage

7 DEVELOPMENT THROUGH SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION formulated, and have either been completed, or are currently being implemented. From the lessons learned from the pilot phase, IsDB formulated its RL policy that strengthens connectivity among member countries.The Bank is currently moving to mainstream RL into its ordinary projects as a contemporary tool of development that promotes SSC. With RL, many partnerships have been built with member country institutions, including resource centres (institutions with expertise in specific fields that are positioned to share their expertise and technology in structured development interventions), as well as various bilateral cooperation agen- cies of Azerbaijan (Azerbaijan International Development Agency – AIDA), Egypt (Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development – EAPD), Morocco (Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation – AMCI), Indonesia (Ministry of National Development Planning – BAPPENAS), Tunisia (Tunisian Agency for Technical Cooperation – ATCT), and Turkey (Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency – TİKA), among others. Partnerships with the private sector as well as the third sector have also been established. In the last five years, IsDB and its partners supported 15 RL projects amounting to US$125 million, with the aim of achieving sustainable development results. For instance, a US$30 million rural electrification project in Niger, with the help of the National Electricity andWater Company (ONEE), in Morocco, is expected to increase electricity access in the remote rural areas by 20 per cent by 2021 through connect- ing 17,500 households with a targeted population of 122,500 and providing 1,500 connections to public facilities (schools and hospital) as well as small businesses. A total of 17 provider and recipient member countries have participated in these projects so far and the list is Source: IsDB 5 . P e e r - t o - P e e r a p p r o a c h 4 . O w n e r s h i p a n d c o m m i t m e n t 3 . W i n - W i n a r r a n g e m e n t 2 . I n c l u s i v e n e s s 1 . S t r a t e g i c a li g n m e n t Reverse Linkage projects are formulated by both the recipient and provider countries through a “peer-to-peer” consultation process. This approach helps to diagnose and analyse a subject, as well as develop customised solutions for each context through reflective exchanges. IsDB actively plays the role of a connector and a catalyst throughout this process. Based on a triangular approach involving provider and recipient countries, and IsDB as a connector and a catalyst, there are five over arching principles by which Reverse Linkage is underpinned: Driven by local needs, Reverse Linkage projects complement the recipient countries’ existing efforts in targeted areas. The projects are fully aligned with the countries’ development priorities and well integrated into their development programmes. A distinctive feature of Reverse Linkage is that, irrespective of the level of development, all countries are believed to have expertise in certain areas that can be tapped into by other member countries. The notion that all sides have something to gain from cooperation lies at the heart of Reverse Linkage. The learning process is reciprocal, and knowledge transfer does not necessarily occur in only one direction. Recipient countries should be willing to take ownership of Reverse Linkage projects to ensure effective implementation and long-term sustainability, whereas provider countries should demonstrate a commitment to share their proven expertise and knowledge. What are the core features of Reverse Linkage? What are the core features of Reverse Linkage? Based on a triangular approach involving provider and recipient countries, and the IDB as a connector and a catalyst, there are five overarching principles by which Reverse Linkage is underpinned: ns. t er ber Driven by local needs, Reverse Linkage projects complement the recipient countries’ existing efforts in targeted areas. The projects are fully aligned with the countri s’ ev lopm nt priorities and well integrated into their development programmes. A distinctive feature of Revers Linkage is that, irrespective of the level of development, all countries are b liev d to have expertise in certain areas that can be tapped into by other member countries. The notion that all sides have something to gain from cooperation lies at the heart of Reverse Linkage. The learning process is reciprocal, and knowledge transfer does not necessarily occur in only one directio . Recipient countries ould be willing to take ownership of Reverse Linkage projects to ensure effective i ple entation and long-term sustainability, whereas provider countries should demonstrate a commitment to share their proven expertise and knowl dge. A l i g n m e n t 1 . S t r a t e g i c 3 . W i n - W i n A r r a n g e m e n t s 4 . O w n e r s h i p & C o m m i t m e n t A p p r o a c h 5 . P e e r - t o - P e e r 2 . I n c l u s i v e n s Reverse Linkage projects are formulated by both the recipient and provider countries through a “peer-to-peer” consultation process. This approach helps to diagno e and nalyse a subject, as well as develop customised solutions for each context through reflective exchanges. The IDB actively plays the role of a co nector and catalyst throughout this process.