ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the relationships between bilateral donors and Bolivian national stakeholders in the development of a poverty reduction strategy paper (PRSP) from early 2000 to mid 2001. I wrote it at that time, when working in Bolivia as the head of the UK Department for International Development's (DFID's) country office. I explore how the preparation of a PRSP both influenced and was influenced by the structures of power and the patterns of relationships between actors in government, the international cooperation community and civil society in Bolivia. I consider the different levels and quality of influence that came into play in this relationship, concluding that – despite major challenges, over-optimism and many disappointments – the PRSP process in Bolivia did contribute to a shift in the balance of power towards poor people. It strengthened the room for manoeuvre of those in government, civil society and the international community. The process also helped some of us in the donor community reflect more on our own role, grappling seriously with concepts of ‘ownership’ and ‘accountability’. The chapter ends with some lessons for donors with regard to playing a more useful and informed role in supporting long-term processes of policy change in favour of poor people.
