The PURSE MDTF addresses the core strategic needs of the Palestinians for a period of 10 years. The key objective of the PURSE MDTF is to strengthen sustainable recovery, economic reform and social resilience in the West Bank and Gaza (WB&G). Support is provided in line with the Palestinian Authority (PA) priorities covering governance, macro-fiscal stability, human capital investment, service delivery, private sector development including job generation and protection to the poor and at-risk population.
The PURSE MDTF complements the Bank administered Trust Fund for Gaza and the West Bank (TFGWB), established since 1993. Immediately after the Oslo Accords, the TFGWB was established to channel World Bank assistance to the Palestinians. It has been replenished since from the IBRD surplus as the West Bank and Gaza (WB&G) does not have membership of either the IMF or the World Bank and hence cannot access IDA/IBRD funding. The TFGWB received a first transfer of US$50 million in 1993 and has been replenished eighteen times since for a total allocation of US$1.25 billion. It finances grants in the areas of water, energy, urban and local development, social protection, education, health, solid waste management, public sector reform and private sector development.
The PURSE MDTF targets the PA including line ministries and apex and local institutions, private sector actors including firms, entrepreneurs, civil society organizations, the poor and the population at risk. Through the four pillars of the PURSE MDTF—(a) Macro-fiscal Stability and Public Financial Management, (b) Human Capital Investment and Service Delivery, (c) Private Sector Development and Job Generation, (d) Protection to the Poor and at-risk Population)—beneficiaries contributes and at the same time benefits from knowledge, policy advice, analytical products, funds to help sustain and improve service delivery, improve the business enabling environment, enhance institutional building, invest in people, generate equal employment opportunities, protect the poor and pilot innovative approaches that are responsive to the very specific needs of women and men in different population groups.
The PURSE MDTF serves as a platform to harness donors’, the World Bank’s and the PA’s efforts to address the priority needs of the Palestinians while maximizing available funds. Funds channeled through this PURSE MDTF assists the beneficiaries in designing and implementing policy and institutional reforms, increasing public and private investments and protecting the poor. This platform also provides an opportunity for donors to share experience and good practice relevant to the PURSE four pillars and to pursue transformative change where needed.
The Bank leverages its experience in addressing its corporate priorities including gender, citizen engagement, climate co-benefits, technology, innovation, and Maximizing Finance for Development (MFD) across the four pillars. Closing gender gaps in economic opportunities and social protection as well as promoting access to and ownership of land and assets is a central cross-cutting theme to enhance women’s voice and agency across the three pillars.
