SIA in a regional development bank: the career of a concept

Abstract

The emergence of poverty reduction as a major objective in economic and social development resulted in the Caribbean Development Bank introducing social impact assessment (SIA) as part of efforts to pay greater attention to the social dimensions of its development interventions. The varied experience that emerged from the application of SIA under contrasting conditions and at different stages of the project cycle is illustrated in two cases, which also demonstrate how SIA can influence the policy framework and operational arrangements of a multilateral development bank.

Keywords:

• participatory assessment
• social analysis
• poverty
• acceptance of SIA
• Caribbean Development Bank