Scaling Up the Fight Against Rural Poverty - FIDAfrique

preparation, implementation and completion. If IFAD is to translate its strategic intention to scale up
its successful interventions, then it will have to change from a project to a programmatic approach and
COSOPs will need to address scaling up objectives, approaches and support processes in significantly
greater depth than is presently the case, similar to the case of Peru. Most importantly, the scaling up
pathway with its various dimensions and components needs to be recognized, laid out and managed.
COSOPs are also the place where the links between innovation, learning and scaling up can be clearly
articulated and possible tensions between these operational goals can be addressed transparently. This
process of articulation will help to build and implement a vision for IFAD’s country programs. It will
also help to mobilize in-country support of the government and other stakeholders for the process.
Two steps will help in turning the COSOP into an effective instrument for scaling up:
A clear link needs to be articulated between scaling up and the COSOP results matrix:
COSOPs now are built around a results management matrix. In future scaling up objectives
would need to be connected to the results objectives and indicators laid out in the matrix. For
example, if certain targets for rural poverty reduction, agricultural production increases or
natural resource conservation are included in the results matrix, then scaling-up pathways need
to be laid out to demonstrate how through scaling up indicated objectives could be achieved.
The design of specific projects then needs to demonstrate that they will contribute to the
achievement of the targets laid out in the COSOP results matrix as part of a specified scaling
up pathway.
For COSOPs to become strategic documents for scaling up, the review processes needs to
focus on strategic questions, including the following:
(i) what does IFAD wish to achieve through its programme in the country and at what
scale;
(ii) does it have the right mix between innovation and scaling-up;
(iii) what kind of scaling up is anticipated, by whom, how;
(iv) how will IFAD help support to achieve this scaling up;
(v) does the COSOP provide for the appropriate instruments to allow this to happen;
(vi) how will new projects that will be approved through the COSOP contribute to the
results objectives and indicators laid out in the results management matrix; and
(vii) through what pathway and over what time frame could this be achieved?
C. IFAD’s Project Cycle: Project Design and Implementation
As for other development institutions, IFAD’s operational processes are aligned with a project cycle.
This project cycle consist of (i) concept approval; (ii) design stage; (iii) appraisal; (iv) negotiations and
Board presentation; (iv) implementation; and (v) completion. Again, the question arises how scaling
up is considered at the various stages of the project cycle.
1. The project design phase
Projects are introduced into the design phase either through a concept note, approved by the OSC, or
through approval of a Results Based COSOP, which presents short versions of applicable project
concept notes in its annex. Through approval of the Results Based COSOP, the projects presented in
its annexes are also cleared for proceeding to the design stage. The first mission in the project cycle is
the so-called “formulation mission”. Based on this mission a “formulation report” is prepared. The
project document report remains in formulation stage until a Quality Enhancement (QE) review has
taken place and an appraisal mission has been completed. The project design phase is completed with
the appraisal mission and the formulation report is transformed into a “project design report”.
Subsequent to the appraisal mission, a Quality Assurance (QA) review is conducted, subject to which
projects are authorized to proceed to negotiations and subsequent Board approval. While IFAD project
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