Operational Procedures and Guidelines for Country Strategies

Country strategies provide a framework for IFAD’s engagement in inclusive and sustainable rural transformation at the country level. The outcomes of IFAD’s engagement not only include country-level goals but contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and IFAD’s overarching mandate of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Strategic objectives for IFAD's country programme are defined, based on each country’s goals and visions, IFAD’s own mandate and comparative advantage, and an assessment of the livelihoods and opportunities open to poor rural people in that country. To achieve these strategic objectives, a tailored package of interventions is presented for each country strategy along with expected results and potential risks.

For all countries with an active or proposed IFAD programme, a country strategy is prepared either in the form of a Country Strategic Opportunities Programme (COSOP) or a Country Strategy Note (CSN). The type of strategy depends on country characteristics, which determine the length of the period of IFAD’s engagement.