The World Bank works with member countries and other stakeholders to determine how loans, guarantees, risk management products, and analytic and technical advisory services can be designed to have the largest impact. Development projects are implemented by borrowing countries, which follow certain rules and procedures to guarantee that the money reaches its intended target. The Bank understands that when a government takes the lead in preparing and implementing its own strategy, development efforts are more likely to succeed. Tailoring aid to particular country circumstances and coordinating aid with other donors for maximum impact are other key factors of success. The role of member countries at each phase of the project cycle as well as the accompanying project and policy documents are described in detail on the Project Cycle website.

FY 2011, IBRD Top 10 Borrowers	FY 2011, IDA Top 10 Borrowers

The Bank is currently involved in more than 1,800 projects in virtually every sector and developing country. The projects include education, health, infrastructure, communications, government reforms, and many other areas of interest. The Bank’s work with clients around the world is reviewed in chapter two of the Annual Report. 

A key document that forms the basis of any project on a country level is the Bank’s country assistance strategy. 

The country assistance strategy (CAS) is a central tool of Bank management and the Board of Executive Directors for reviewing and guiding the country programs and, ultimately, judging the impact of its work. Starting from the country’s vision of its development goals, which may be set out in a poverty reduction strategy (PRS) for IDA-eligible countries or another country-owned and country-led strategy process, the CAS is prepared in collaboration with the government and in consultation with civil society, development partners, and other stakeholders. The objective of the CAS is to identify the key areas in which Bank Group support can best assist the country to achieve its sustainable development and poverty reduction goals.

There are several CAS products: a country assistance strategy, sometimes called country partnership strategy, prepared about every four years for each country in which the Bank has a planned or ongoing assistance program; a CAS progress report, a midterm stocktaking required for each ongoing CAS; and an interim strategy note for countries where circumstances preclude preparation of a full CAS. A CAS completion report is not a separate product but rather a part of the CAS.