[ARCHIVED CONTENT] Glossary of Development Terms: I

NB: Some of these terms are specific to DFID, others are used throughout the development community.

IACR - Institute of Arable Crop Research

IAD - Internal Audit Department

IADB - Inter-American Development Bank

IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency

IAIS - International Association of Insurance Supervisors

IAOS - International Association for Official Statistics

IAPSU - Inter-Agency Procurement Service Unit of UN

IARC - International Agricultural Research Centre

IASC - International Accounting Standards Committee

IBE - International Bureau of Education

IBRA - International Bee Research Association

IBRD - International Bank for Reconstruction and Development

IBSRAM - International Board for Soil Research and Management

ICARDA - International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas

ICCROM - International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and the Restoration of Cultural Property

ICD - International Cooperation for Development

ICDDR - International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research

ICIMOD - International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development

ICIPE - International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology

ICLARM - International Centre for Living Aquatic Resources Management

ICRA - International Centre for Development Oriented Research in Agriculture

ICRAF - International Centre for research in Agroforestry

ICRC - International Committee of the Red Cross

ICRISAT - International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics

ICSID - International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes

ICVA - International Centre for Voluntary Agencies

ICW - International Council for Women

IDA - International Development Association

Identification (pre-feasibility) - initial elaboration of project idea in terms of objectives, results and activities with a view to determining whether or not to go ahead with a feasibility study, for which terms of reference will then have to be drawn up.

IDP - Indicators of Development Progress

IDRC - International Development Research Council

IDS - Institute of Development Studies

IDT - International Development Targets

IEA - International Energy Agency

IF - Integrated Framework

IFAC - International Federation of Accountants

IFAD - International Fund for Agricultural Development

IFAP - International Federation of Agricultural Producers

IFC - International Finance Corporation

IFI - International Financial Institution

IFPRI - International Food Policy Research Institute

IGADD - Inter-Governmental Authority on Drought and Development

IIC - Inter-American Investment Corporation part of IADB

IIEP - International Centre for Educational Planning

IIMI - International Irrigation Management Institute

IIP - Investors in People IITA International Institute for Tropical Agriculture

ILO - International Labour Organisation

ILRI - International Livestock Research Institute

IMF - International Monetary Fund

IMI - International Mycological Institute

Immediate Objective - a task the project should specifically achieve. Sometimes known as a short term objective. The situation immediately a project has been completed. This should reflect the project outputs (see also: Log Frame Analysis).

IMO - International Maritime Organisation

Impact - Changes attributable to the project.

Impacts (also referred to as effects) may be planned or unplanned; positive or negative; achieved immediately or only after some time; and sustainable or unsustainable. Note that it is likely only planned, positive impacts will be included in the Logical Framework. Impacts may be observable/measurable during implementation, at project completion, or only some time after the project has ended. Different impacts may be experienced by different stakeholders.

The recommended approach is not to define 'impact' narrowly, or to draw a distinction between 'effects' and 'impacts', but to encourage the routine definition and consideration (in evaluations, OPRs, etc.) of different types of impact (e.g. Purpose or Goal-level impacts; short-term or long-term (within or outside the project lifetime); positive and negative; planned and unplanned; technical, institutional, economic, social and cultural, and environmental) as experienced by different groups.

Impact Assessment - an assessment of impact using before/after and/or with/without comparisons.

Impact Monitoring - The systematic, ongoing assessment of impact (intended and unintended) during project implementation.

Impact Review - See output-to-purpose review.

Impact Statement - a description, quantified where possible, of the physical impact of an output, as an alternative to valuation in money terms.

Implementation - the process of realising a project 'on the ground' in line with the agreed work plan. It involves Project Management and Monitoring - both financial and non-financial.

Imprest Accounts - (within DFID) advances of technical co-operation funds are made to a TCO on a project to enable local expenses of that project to be met.

In-kind Contribution - elements of a project that do not need to be purchased but are nevertheless real contributions e.g. land, buildings, equipment , secretarial/office support, know-how, licences.

Incentives - an inducement to stimulate or spur-on activity e.g. making grants available for environmental awareness raising is an incentive to develop actions in this area.

Indemnity - providing security against damage or loss, exemption from penalties.

Independent Evaluation - An evaluation carried out by persons separate from, and independent from, those responsible for managing, making decisions on or implementing the project. This could include groups within the donor organisation/DFID (such as Evaluation Department) not just outsiders (see External Evaluation).

Indicative Programme Development - within a strategy or framework it is common practice to develop outline programmes. These give an indication of the type of projects that could be brought forward, the likely resources and timescales, but they do not have to specify actual projects. (see also: Project; Strategy; Framework).

Indicator - data that provides a simple and reliable basis for measuring change or performance.

Performance indicators are used:

to measure progress towards short and longer term goals.
to indicate changes in the development of the project.
to decide whether a project is successfully achieving its objectives.

Valid indicators are:

independent - a separate indicator for each objective.
objectively verifiable - capable of unambiguous measurement.
specific - clearly relate to the objective being measured.
accessible - should make use of readily available data and information.
sufficient in number and detail - to allow reliable inferences to be drawn.

Indicators can be used to measure inputs, outputs, results/effects or impacts. They may measure achievement and/or value.

Influence - the longer term impact on an institution/project, its policies and programmes, achieved as a result of contacts and interventions. Influence is a particular type of impact (attributable change).

Information - facts required for preparation of a project proposal.

Infrastructure - Goods and services which, while in themselves not normally directly productive, are regarded as essential to the functioning of a developing economy. Infrastructure includes such things as power, transport, roads, housing, education, health and other social services.

INGER - International Network for the Genetic Evaluation of Rice

Initial Screening - Initial Screening, which may be abbreviated to IS, is the simplest level of Environmental Appraisal, identifying areas of potential environmental concern and the process of deciding what further environmental assessment is appropriate for a DFID project. Options identified at this stage are; no further action, Environmental Analysis, Environmental Impact Assessment or Environmental Audit.

Input - resources (money, time, goods, services, ideas, know-how, technology, personnel) used to produce an output (see also: Logical Framework Analysis).

Institutional Appraisal - examines the borrower's organisational structure, management, staffing, policies and procedures, in order to ensure that it is sound. It also looks at the way government policies impact on the organisation's operating environment. Institutional appraisal looks at whether the organisation's structure is adequate to carry out the project and whether policy or institutional changes outside the organisation are required if the project objectives are to be achieved. It also looks at whether local capabilities and expertise are being employed to maximum advantage. Institutional appraisal is only possible with an extensive understanding of the cultural, political and social operating environments of the given locality.

Institutional Development - refers to the creation or the capacity of an institution to reflect systematically and rigorously upon its role and function, and thereby better enable them to discharge their responsibilities. Institutional development will be brought about by building capacity to act reflexively. Thus ID refers to the nature of changes in the structure, processes and systems of the institution, as well as the process by which they are brought about. It reflects an attempt to introduce change and development in the way the institution is organised, to better enable it to meet its mission.

Institutional Strengthening - is very different to institutional development. IS is designed to improve the capacity of an organisation to deliver its existing remit in a more effective and efficient manner; the purpose is to improve the effectiveness of the existing structure, processes and systems. IS therefore does not admit organisational innovation.

Intangibles - costs and benefits that cannot be quantified but are nevertheless significant. These can be ranked and weighted to reflect importance and priorities.

Intangible Benefits - the positive changes brought about by implementing a project which are not measurable. They are part of the justification for the project, and include: standardised or rationalised systems; reduced risks; enhanced public image or staff morale.

Interest - A payment by a borrower for the use of a sum of money for a period of time. Most British loans provided to developing countries are interest-free. Where loans carry interest they may be made on fixed concessionary rates of interest.

Interest Stabilisation Grant - payments by ECGD to commercial banks to enable them to maintain internationally agreed interest rates for export credits for trade with aid recipient countries.

Internal Evaluation - an evaluation by staff within project implementing and donor organisation.

Internal Rate of Return (IRR) - that rate of interest which discounts the flow over time of net revenue generated by an investment such that the present value of the net revenue flow is equal to the capital sum invested. IRR is the discount rate at which the NPV is zero. (Source: Dictionary of Economics).

IRR is used in investment appraisal to determine whether a prospective investment is viable. It is less easy to use than NPV method. If the IRR is higher than the cost of capital then the project is worth undertaking from the financial perspective. It represents the rate of interest that money would have to earn elsewhere in the organisation to be a better investment. The higher the IRR the better the project. (see also: Discounted Cash Flow; Net Present Value).

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) - May be defined as persons displaced from their habitual place of residence by disaster, fear of persecution or fear of physical harm, but who remain within the territorial limits of their country of origin. Unlike refugees, IDPs have no internationally defined legal status.

International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) - also known as the World Bank. Founded in 1944, an independent body, member countries make capital subscription payments. IBRD also borrows on international market. IBRD plays an important role in appraising and advising on developing country programmes, it sponsors Consultative Group meetings and co-ordinates support to developing country projects and programmes. IBRD money is provided on loan terms. (see also IDA and IFC).

International Development Association (IDA) - Part of the World Bank Group and established in 1960. IDA lends on concessional term to the poorest developing countries who cannot afford IBRD loans terms.

International Finance Corporation (IFC) - Part of World Bank Group and established in 1956. IFC lends directly to the private sector, providing long-term loans, equity investments and guarantees.

International Financial Institutions (IFIs) - major international funders of projects - banks and financial institutions (see also: Multilateral Funders).

International Humanitarian Law (IHL) - This refers to the whole body of rules set out in the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the two additional Protocols of 1977, which together are designed to ensure protection and respect for human beings in armed conflicts. IHL covers both members of the armed forces and civilians, and governs both the behaviour of combatants (e.g. their treatment of civilian populations), and the means of conducting war (e.g. restrictions on the use of certain weapons). Under additional Protocol II, most elements of IHL can be applied in civil wars, as well as in international conflicts. Combatants do not have to be signatories for IHL to be enforceable.

International Monetary Fund (IMF) - Established in 1944, purpose is to facilitate the working of the world monetary system. It provides foreign currency to member countries as balance of payments support on loan terms.

Investment Appraisal - is essentially the financial analysis undertaken by a lender. It is the evaluation of the prospective costs and revenues generated by an investment in a capital project over its expected life.

It includes the assessment of risks and whether to commit resources.

It is the evaluation of a project according to measures of financial return, i.e. a common set of values used by lenders to make financial comparisons between different projects.

Objectives of investment appraisal include:

determining which investments make best use of an organisation's money.
ensuring optimum benefits from each investment.
minimising risk to the organisation.
providing a basis for subsequent analysis of the performance of each investment.

Glossary of Development Terms and Abbreviations

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