R4D Moldova

Healing the crisis. A prescription for public health action in South-Eastern Europe.

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:40:00 GMT

Miscellaneous Rechel B and McKee M. 2003 Open Society Institute, Published by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK, ISBN 0 902657 73 9, 117 pp. This review summarizes existing evidence, highlights gaps, and reviews donor and other priorities in public health investment. The sources of data include published studies, health statistics, reports from governments, development agencies, and NGOs.

Health service utilisation in the Former Soviet Union: evidence from eight countries.

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 10:49:00 GMT

Miscellaneous Balabanova, D.; McKee, M.; Pomerleau, J.; Rose, R.; Haerpfer, C. 2004 Health Services Research, 39(6), Part II, 1927-1949, 2004. In the past decade, the countries that emerged from the Soviet Union have experienced major changes in the inherited Soviet model of health care, which was centrally planned and provided universal, free access to basic care. The underlying principle of universality remains, but coexists with new funding and delivery systems and growing out-of-pocket payments. The objectives of this study were to examine patterns and determinants of health care utilization, the extent of payment for health care, and the settings in which care is obtained in Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine.

Impact of the withdrawal of modern energy on the urban poor: Final technical report

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Technical Report N. Scott, K. McKemey, S. Batchelor 2004 Gamos Ltd., UK, 181 pp. This final technical report introduces the project (Impact of the withdrawal of modern energy on urban poor, R8147) and its research methodology, and provides country contexts (for Albania, Kyrgyzstan and Moldova) in terms of national energy, energy reforms and poverty. Analysis and findings are presented for each country, along with points of interest from cross-country comparisons. The report finishes with conclusions and recommendations. There are 4 appendices: an example questionnaire and survey analysis for each country.

Accessing clean energy in low income communities

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Report S. Aliko, L. Kona, Bermet, S. Jumagazy, R. Jusupova, Agape (Moldova) 0 Gamos Ltd., UK, 10 pp. These case studies (for Albania, Kyrgyzstan and Moldova) demonstrate ways in which communities in transitional economies have engaged with local authorities in order to successfully achieve access to energy infrastructure services.

The case studies have been generated as part of a research project (R8147, Impact of the withdrawal of modern energy on urban poor) investigating the impact of energy sector reform processes on low income urban communities. The project presents evidence on the extent to which communities have been affected by changes to date in energy industries, and explores how households are likely to respond to increases in costs in the future. The case studies complement the field survey work by giving examples of how marginal communities have managed to extend their choice of fuels.

The impact of changes in the energy industry on the urban poor. Country report - Moldova

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Report N. Scott, K. McKemey, S. Batchelor, Agape (Moldova) 2004 Gamos Ltd., UK, 9 pp. In a DFID-funded project (R8147, Impact of the withdrawal of modern energy on urban poor) bringing together NGOs and energy institutions in Albania, Kyrgyzstan, and Moldova, Gamos have conducted field research aimed at helping policy makers and CSOs understand the likely impact of changes in energy supplies on the urban poor. The research uses statistical analysis to identify how people's behaviour with respect to energy use has already changed, and how they are likely to cope with forthcoming changes. This document is a report for Moldova.

Implementation of Poverty Reduction Strategies in the NIS

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Briefing Gaskin, M. 2005 Implementation of Poverty Reduction Strategies in the NIS, Emerging Markets Group (EMG) Ltd, London, UK, 2 pp.

The background and objectives of the commissioned study are presented, along with research findings, and main conclusions.

Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP) are being prepared by seven Newly Independent States (NIS) of the former Soviet Union and, of these, five countries have completed full PRSPs and have started implementation. The objective of this study is to identify the key challenges facing NIS governments in implementing full PRSPs and sets out recommendations for addressing them. The study also provides useful insights to be used by the EC in the policy dialogue with partner governments in the NIS on PRSPs, and as input for the preparation of the next generation of Indicative Programmes (2007-12) and for the development of Action Programmes from 2004 onwards.

Global experience with PRSP implementation.

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Research Paper 2004 Global experience with PRSP implementation, EC-PREP, 47 pp.

The purpose of this report is to identify a set of findings and lessons learned from global experience with implementation of the PRSP process. The Synthesis Report will bring together the global experience identified in this document with the specific needs and issues related to the Newly Independent States (NIS).

This report uses the basic analytical framework set out in the study terms of reference. The ToR defines two sets of factors: Challenges and issues within a number of domains. Within this report, these challenges are examined in the sense of being good features of the PRSP. The challenges are therefore to achieve these good features of the PRSP. A valid question is whether these features are sufficient to ensure implementation of the PRSP or if there are other features or issues that would also need to be addressed. The report attempts to identify these other features or issues.

This particular document begins with an overview, then chapters including: PRSP implementation, key issues affecting implementation of the PRSP, implications/relevance for NIS, and annexes follow.

Working Paper C10. Migration and Poverty Reduction in Moldova.

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Working Paper M. C. Pantiru, R. Black, R. Sabates-Wheeler 2007 Country Background Paper, WP-C10, Sussex, UK, DRC on Migration, Globalisation and Poverty, 26 pp. This paper provides an overview of migration and poverty in Moldova, as part of a review conducted by the Sussex Centre for Migration Research on migration and poverty in three regions of Eastern Europe and Central Asia in 2006. The research included a review of available literature, and field-level discussions with policy-makers in Chisinau in October 2006. The paper explores the context of poverty and development and general migration trends, before focusing on policies orientated towards migration management, and the broader impact of migration on poverty. It concludes with a number of policy recommendations.

Working Paper C9. Understanding Migration as a Driver of Poverty Reduction in Europe and Central Asia.

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Miscellaneous R. Black, L. Jones, M. C. Pantiru, R. Sabates-Wheeler, R. Skeldon, Z. Vathi 2007 Country Background Paper, WP-C9, Sussex, UK, DRC on Migration, Globalisation and Poverty, 53 pp. This paper reports on the findings of a survey conducted by the Sussex Centre for Migration Research on migration and poverty in three regions of Eastern Europe and Central Asia in 2006. The research included a review of available literature, and field-level discussions with policy-makers in four countries/territories (Moldova, Tajikistan, Kosovo and Georgia). For each of the three regions (Western Balkans, the 'European Neighbourhood' and Central Asia), the paper explores the context of poverty and development and general migration trends, before focusing on policies orientated towards migration management, and the broader impact of migration on poverty. It concludes with a number of policy recommendations. Four further working papers complement this paper, each on one of the case study countries mentioned above.

Read the id21 Research Highlight: Migrating out of poverty: the case of Moldova, Tajikistan, Kosovo and Georgia

Implementation of poverty reduction strategies in the NIS. Desk study: Moldova (no PRSP).

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Case Study 2004 Implementation of poverty reduction strategies in the NIS. Desk study: Moldova, EC-PREP, 21 pp.

This desk study of Moldova begins with a brief overview of the PRSP process in the country and then chapters including: the PRSP process so far, potential issues related to PRSP implementation, features of aPRSP that can be implemented, and finally annexes.

Impact of the withdrawal of modern energy on urban poor

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Ongoing Policy makers and civil society organisations will understand the impacts on livelihoods of the urban poor of deterioration of modern energy supplies (in E. Europe), with a view to incorporating mitigating activities into reform policy and pro-poor activities respectively. Of more interest to the research is an understanding of how people's fuel choices and use are likely to change as the reforms start to bite. For example, if a significant number of people use wood to substitute for electricity, then there will be consequences for the regulation of timber industries in order to protect forests. It appears that gas is the preferred substitute for electricity and whilst in Albania there are plans to expand the local LPG industry, which would appear to be a timely response to changes in the electricity supply industry, there is no LPG industry to speak of in Kyrgyzstan where electricity prices remain relatively low. Social protection mechanisms proposed are based on existing state support mechanisms, yet the data indicates that some households experiencing poverty are not receiving any form of benefit e.g. up to a third of pensioners are not receiving pension benefits. The cost of making benefit systems more effective needs to be included in any analysis of social protection mechanisms. Changing to cheaper fuels will have not only environmental implications associated with burning gas, wood and coal in preference to electricity (mostly renewable from hydro plant), but also health implications on a domestic level. There will also be implications on livelihoods (notably health and education) of likely coping strategies associated with reduction of energy use. The implications of this for the urban poor is being discussed in final workshops within the research project. The final output of the project should inform decision makers regarding how industry reforms can be linked to social protection systems in such a way to minimise the negative impact on the poor. The research methodology employs a combination of qualitative data and non parametric statistical analysis to investigate the links between changes in the energy industry and changes in household energy behaviour. Household surveys questionnaires were developed through preliminary surveys in each of the three countries, which included interviews with government ministries, regulators, energy related institutions, electricity distribution companies, NGOs, local energy suppliers, and local residents. The main household surveys have now been completed and the data is being prepared for analysis.

The preliminary surveys confirmed that the energy reform processes in all three countries do indeed have potential negative social and economic impacts on the poor. It is also evident that the full implications for the poor of liberalisation are yet to be realised. Tariff increases to date have been minimal e.g. only nominal increase in lifeline tariff in Albania, and although lifeline tariffs have increased in Kyrgyzstan, they remain low in real terms e.g. around 1.1 cent/kWh. Electricity companies are only just beginning to address the issues of non-payment and theft e.g. meter installation programmes are under way in Albania where over half of respondents receive nominal rather than metered bills (only 7% of respondents have no meter in Moldova and Kyrgyzstan). Nevertheless, the authorities recognise the potential consequences of increased electricity costs, and are investigating mechanisms to administer additional funds to compensate for price increases e.g. the Kyrgyz Tariff Policy Project (funded by DFID). However, social protection mechanisms proposed are based on existing systems i.e. existing registers for pensions, disability, unemployment benefits etc. Two main concerns have been voiced - will the extra money be enough (pensioners have been identified as a high risk group), and what will happen to households who fall through the social protection net?

Preliminary results confirm a general preference for gas for cooking (LPG and piped, depending on national markets). Although gas is also the dominant space heating fuel in Albania, use is low in Kyrgyzstan because gas is only piped to dwellings that also have district heating, so there is no demand; electricity and coal are used instead. Albania is the only country registering significant use of wood.

The data shows that even though the full impact of reforms has yet to be felt, some have already changed their choice of fuels and payment behaviour. For example, in Albania over a quarter of people have changed fuels, with most changing from electricity to LPG for cooking and heating, whilst in Kyrgyzstan less than 20% have changed fuels. It is interesting to note that whilst 30% of respondents in Albania have started paying for electricity over the last 5 years, 20% have stopped paying.

When faced with potential enforcement of payment and price increases, enforcement is regarded as the main threat where payment rates are low (Albania), otherwise electricity price rises are regarded as most important (Kyrgyzstan). Potential responses appear to be mixed; for example people in Albania say they will change to cheaper fuels, whilst those in Kyrgyzstan prefer to reduce their energy consumption. What is clear is that people will have difficulty paying, and the remaining analysis intends to look at responses to coping strategies to predict the impacts on livelihoods.

Now that data sets from all three countries are available, the analysis needs to be completed and a draft policy paper drawn up. Research partners in each country will then circulate these amongst national experts as part of a consultation and verification phase. Finally, a set of reports will be published and disseminated amongst various stakeholder groups.

DFID lesson sharing with ECAD land for development programme

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Completed DFID/EECAD participated in the First European Summit on the Land for Development Programme (LFDP) initiated by the UN Economic Commission for Europe Real Estate Advisory Group (UN ECE-REAG) in September 2002. The summit aimed to share experience on rights of access to land as one important driver of development and poverty reduction. Representatives of governments, business community, NGOs and international donor organisations (WB, EC, EBRD, FAO, USAID, DFID) from 23 countries discussed the challenges involved in land market development in transition economies. The Lesson Sharing with ECAD Land for Development Programme was subsequently commissioned to help facilitate the progress of the LFDP in its first crucial year of existence and to make use of DFID's accumulated expertise in ECA countries and in particular to support dissemination of the alternative dispute resolution mechanism (Third Party Abitration Courts) dealing with issues around access to land and property. To prepare training and information materials on relevant DFID projects/programmes; to carry out study visits/seminars to relevant DFID TPAC case studies; and to support preparations for the Second European Summit on the Land for Development Programme. The DFID TPAC experience will be presented at the summit in anticipation that it will contribute to a stronger "influencing" and dissemination of best practice to other countries within the wider region. The project support to UN ECE in its preparations for the Second Summit will result in a stronger "influencing" role and support DFID - UN ECE partnership development. To prepare training and information materials on relevant DFID projects/programmes; to carry out study visits/seminars to relevant DFID TPAC case studies; and to support preparations for the Second European Summit on the Land for Development Programme. An information pack ,Third party arbitration court: experience of DFID projects with a TPAC component implemented in Russia, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine, was prepared.

Two study visits were organised for delegations from Albania and Slovakia.

Preparations for the Second Summit on the Land for Development Programme started in July with a meeting of the Steering Group of the Land for Development Programme, subsequently an ADAS project co-ordinator is providing assistance in organising the summit on a full-time basis.

Implementation of Poverty Reduction Strategies in the NIS

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Completed This study identifies the key challenges facing NIS governments in implementing full PRSPs. This involves an assessment of the PRSPs of Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan, and examination of the actions taken after launching the PRSPs and a comparison with the experiences of Moldova and Uzbekistan in developing PRSPs. In identifying the key challenges, the study assesses the depth of integration of the PRSP in the budget process; the existence of sector strategies/work plans with clear priorities in the PRSP framework; and the extent to which indicators, monitoring and feedback arrangements have been put in place and utilized effectively.