Using specific purpose grants to achieve developmental goals: some practical considerations

ABSTRACT

This practice note reviews the theory of conditional grants and their use in five countries (Rwanda, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and India). The note makes the case for conditional specific purpose grants based on theory and then puts forward five practical suggestions that can guide developing countries in designing specific purpose grants. These include setting clear conditions, establishing robust monitoring systems, developing sub-national capacity, being cognisant of sub-national autonomy, and simplifying the transfer system as best possible.

KEYWORDS:

• Developmental policies
• Governance and public policy
• Region
• Sub-Saharan Africa

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1 http://www.clgf.org.uk/default/assets/File/Country_profiles/Kenya.pdf.

2 https://www.gov.rw/overview.

3 https://www.gov.za/about-government/government-system/structure-and-functions-south-african-government.

4 https://www.slideshare.net/OECDtax/session-two-a-overview-of-intergovernmental-fiscal-reforms-in-south-africa-meeting-2019.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Notes on contributors

Jamelia Harris

Jamelia Harris is a Research Economist at Fiscus Ltd and Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Warwick. She holds a DPhil in International Development from the University of Oxford.