Can donor PIUs support country systems?

• Main Authors: Aris, Sulaiman, Hubbard, Michael
• Format: Article
• Published: Blackwell Publishing Ltd. 2015
• Subjects: HB Economic Theory
• Online Access: http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/57992/; http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/dpr.12133
• Institution: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

The OECD's Paris Declaration (2005) discouraged donor project implementation units (PIUs) which are not integrated into government. But little is known about the behaviour and effects of PIUs integrated into government. Are they efficient? Do they support country systems? This article responds to these questions using research comparing two streams of implementation of schools investments in Malaysia's Eighth Plan 2001-2005, one via government alone and the other via a World Bank PIU integrated into government. It emphasises the conflicts which can exist within country systems, and how these affect the choices which a donor faces in seeking efficient implementation of a project while supporting country systems.