Agenda: Brussels Workshop, May 21st, 2003

The impact of poverty maps: Past experiences and new directions

Centre Albert Borschette, Brussels, 21st May 2003

In response to calls from donor agencies to monitor how effectively poverty maps are meeting this declared objective, UNEP/GRID-Arendal, the FAO and CGIAR centres invite you to a workshop being held in conjunction with the fourth meeting of the Poverty Environment Partnership, in May 2003.

This workshop is designed to take stock of previous experiences in poverty mapping and the ways in which policymaking and programme development have been influenced; and to propose ways of enhancing the effectiveness of poverty maps, as well as extending their application to new areas such as planning for food security and environmental management. It is building on the recent interest in poverty mapping and the efforts made by Columbia University, the World Bank, and World Resources Institute to bring poverty mappers together in building a global database of poverty maps and a network of expertise. The purpose is to solicit feedback from national and international development agencies on the effectiveness of poverty maps in setting priorities, formulating development policies, locating most needy areas, and monitoring programme implementation.

The expected outcome is a strategy for inter-agency cooperation to expand the effectiveness of poverty maps, both at the national and global level.

Specifically the workshop will:

• Present case studies on where and how poverty maps have been used, especially to analyse poverty-environment linkages, and how effectiveness they have been in targeting development projects at the most needy areas;
• Define the priority needs of developing countries, including conceptual needs, practical needs, application needs, and training and financial needs
• Look for opportunities to expand the application of poverty maps through new partnerships, development assistance programmes, policy initiatives, and other activities

Draft Agenda