The authors present the concept of the Poverty Reduction Strategies (PRS). They explain the background in terms of development economics and discuss initial experiences after the implementation of the concept. In the authors’ view, the major new aspect of this concept compared to traditional concepts is its emphasis on ownership (on the part of the partner countries) and on the broad participation of civil society in elaborating and implementing the PRS. It is this that gives the concept its specific political character. The authors conclude that the PRS concept offers an opportunity for successful poverty reduction and a new partnership between »donors« and »recipients« but that considerable efforts and adjustments are required of both the partner countries and the donors if it is to be realized successfully.
