Selection marks the onset of compact development, a rigorous process conducted with MCC partner countries to identify the primary constraints to growth and what sector investments will have the most transformational impact to reduce poverty. Even under normal circumstances, this process can take a long time. However, based on MCC’s lessons learned across its many programs, and over its nearly 20-year history, below is an overview of country factors that could help accelerate compact development.
To shorten the compact development timeline, it is helpful when countries have:
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Prior Experience with MCC
Leverage prior experience with MCC’s operational and organizational model and transfer key contacts and technical experts, feasibility studies and other analyses. -
Proactive Engagement with MCC
Proactively dedicate resources to drive policy progress; and/or, actively engage to resolve operational challenges and leverage opportunities. -
Clarity of Problem to be Solved
Prioritize the compact’s targeted development goals and opportunities that align with MCC’s model, constraints analysis to economic growth, and MCC investment criteria. -
Effective Partner Coordination
Leverage and harmonize contributions from other donors, the private sector, and other actors to augment the impact of MCC’s investments. Countries with an existing and effective mechanism for donor coordination facilitate this step of the compact development process. -
Rapid Core Team Staffing
Stand up a strong, well-resourced, technical and multidisciplinary team soon after selection will save months of the compact development timeline. -
Efficient Decision Making
Identify a direct reporting line between the country’s core team and to the highest levels of government, for example, the Office of the Prime Minister, President or Vice President. -
Efficient Inter-Ministerial Mechanism
Speak with one, united voice and ensure that ministries are aligned on priorities, projects and other issues that drive the compact development and funding process. -
Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement
Regularly convene stakeholders, including non-government organizations, focus groups, and civil society organizations to obtain input, strengthen project design, increase buy-in, and enable collaboration on solutions. -
Committed to Agile Process
Zero-in on a sector and minimum viable investment early and then build on it through iterative design and incremental delivery. -
Investment Characteristics
Identify modular, scalable investments that are suitable for standard engineering plans; favor lower risk projects with minimal or few site-specific risks that are readily mitigated; or propose investments in advanced stages of preparation.