1 Get behind the Fast Track Initiative Global Monitoring Report 2009 Copenhagen 24 March 2009

2 Fast Track Initiative  Launched in 2002 by G8 in Canada  Objective: To support the achievement of Universal Primary Completion – MDG 2 and 3  Catalytic Fund launched in 2003  Education Program Development Fund in 2005  Education Transition Fund – 2009 (?)

3 FTI – not only about funding and resource mobilisation  HIV/AIDS in the education sector plans  Guidelines for capacity development  Quality stamp of the education sector plans  Strengthening harmonization and alignment  Promoting equality

4 The Catalytic Fund  Pledges till date : 1.5 billion USD  Allocations till date : 1.4 billion USD  30 low income countries benefit  Last year’s allocation : 343 million USD  With 439 million USD the CF covered 9 % of total commitments to basic education in 2006

5 GMR: “FTI is not meeting expectations” - i Commitment to the Catalytic Fund?  2004 : 4 donors  2006 : 11 donors  2008 : 17 donors – Australia, France, Japan, Germany, Switzerland

6 GMR: “FTI is not meeting expectations” - ii Confidence in the Catalytic Fund?  FTI supposed to be fast  Expectations in Partner Countries  Donors’ need for accountability  Money spent in accordance with acceptable standards  Consequence : Tension and frustration!

7 GMR: “FTI is not meeting expectations” - iii No simple solution!  Need for better communication and information  Need for clear guidelines  The endorsement process  The application – EQR  FTI preparation vs. Danida preparation time

8 GMR: “FTI is not meeting expectations” - iv Disbursement performance  Too many cases taken too long  Not conducive for the credibility of FTI  Who is to blame?  Endorsement and appraisal processes at country level  Too much variation in the past  Not meeting minimum requirements  Analytical work, e.i. fiduciary risk assessment after allocation  Who does it?  World Bank rules and regulations  Consequence: Delays – 2007:126; 2008:214; 2009:340

9 GMR: “FTI is not meeting expectations” - v Faster disbursement performance  One solution: Financing modality  The more harmonised and aligned – the faster and smoother the disbursement  Burkina Faso – Sector Budget Support  Zambia – Alternative Supervising Entity – Basket Fund

10 GMR: “FTI is not meeting expectations” - vi “Some countries with newly endorsed plans will not be able to get support at all”  Accuracy of figures and statistics –  Is it 1 or 2 billion USD per year?  GMR says one thing – the FTI Secretariat another  Replenishment process  Ensure predictability and long term commitment  Copenhagen in April 2009

11 GMR 2009  Scope of FTI  FTI evaluation  FTI meetings in Copenhagen, April 2009  Danish priorities as co-chair  Improve FTI governance structure and decision making processes  Education in fragile states  Aid effectiveness

12 GMR 2009 Thank You!