(APL1) Bono de Desarrollo Humano

closed

The objective of the Support to Reform the Bono de Desarrollo Humano (Human Development Bond - BDH) Project is to consolidate the role of the BDH in Ecuador as a conditional cash transfer program and of the beneficiary selection system (SelBen) as a targeting tool for social programs, while supporting the development of an effective country social protection strategy to reduce poverty and to foster investments in human capital among poor households. The first phase of the APL will support the transformation of the BDH into an effective cash transfer program that protects the vulnerable and fosters investment by poor families in human capital. The first component, entitled institutional strengthening, consolidation of BDH reform and improved articulation of BDH within a comprehensive social protection strategy, will: (i) strengthen the core institutional structure of the BDH; (ii) support the consolidation of reforms in several of the program's key activities and processes; and (iii)to explore and pilot linkages with complementary programs to protect and provide opportunities for poor and vulnerable households in Ecuador. The second component, entitled provision of support for the borrower's financing of cash transfers to the poor to foster investments in health, nutrition and education, will support and protect funding for the BDH transfers, while at the same time providing a performance-based incentive for achievement of results from the institutional strengthening activities considered under Component 1.