Program Design
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The above sets of criteria are illustrative and can—and should—be adjusted to suit individual country circumstances. Box 4.1 presents examples of such tailored eligibility/rejection criteria for public works programs in, respectively, Liberia and Rwanda. Criteria for eligibility or exclusion should be agreed upon and communicated to implementing agencies at all levels.
Share of Labor Cost Public works programs implemented for safety net purposes put particular emphasis on selecting labor-intensive projects so as to maximize the number of people benefiting from the wages provided by the program. In
Box 4.1
Eligibility and Rejection Criteria for Projects in Liberia and Rwanda Eligibility Criteria for Liberia’s Cash for Work Projects • At least 75 percent of the project cost should be allocated to labor, which includes 10 percent for basic tools and materials. • The project should provide a public good or service; this also implies that all works should be done on public, state, or community-owned land but not on private land. • The project should benefit the wider local community, and not just a few individuals or families. • The project should not negatively affect the environment or have negative social consequences. • The project should be able to be completed in the time period allotted. Selected Rejection Criteria for Rwanda’s Vision 2020 Umurenge Program’s Projects • Activities aimed at developing private household assets • Activities benefiting private institutions • Activities pursuing military or defense ends. Source: Project implementation manuals.