Road for Development (R4D) Phase II – Road for Development Support Program (R4D-SP) Bridging Phase

During the Bridging Phase, R4D-SP will support Government of Timor-Leste's COVID-19 recovery efforts and lay the foundation for the possible transition to the rural roads sector.

Program Overview

The Government of Timor-Leste’s (GoTL’s) “Estrada Rural Ba Dezenvolvimentu” (ERD) program rehabilitates and maintains the country’s core rural roads network, with the broader development objective of contributing to social and economic development in rural areas. The implementation of the program is led by the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) through Directorate for Roads, Bridges and Flood Control (DRBFC), in partnership with staff working at municipal-level government and the private road construction sector.

To build national and municipal capacities to up-scale and sustain the ERD programme, The Government of Australia (GoA) funds the Roads for Development – Support Program (R4D-SP). The International Labour Organization (ILO) implements R4D-SP based upon a Subsidiary Agreement (SA) between the GoA and the GoTL. The SA commits the government to provide funding for physical road works and operational costs, while the GoA funds technical support through R4D-SP.

Given the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Government of Australia’s (GoA) ongoing commitment to the rural roads sector in Timor-Leste, the GoA is funding a limited continuation of R4D-SP known as “R4D-SP Bridging Phase” (referred to hereafter as the “Bridging Phase”). The GOA will provide up to AUD $7.05 million (approximately USD $5.09 million) for technical assistance through R4D-SP during the Bridging Phase, with the GoTL providing funding for all physical road works implemented through the ERD programme and operational costs of a maximum $800,000 ($400,000 per year) will be provided to DRBFC for 2021 and 2022 associated with these works.

During the Bridging Phase, R4D-SP will support GoTL to (a) efficiently and effectively execute its ERD budget as a contribution of the government’s broader COVID-19 recovery efforts; and (b) lay the foundation for the possible transition of GoA support to the rural roads sector.
The Bridging Phase commenced on 17 June 2021 and will end by December 2022.

Program Outcomes and Outputs

EOPO 1: Increased GoTL capacity to effectively manage rural roads at national and municipal levels

  • Output 1.1 - Policy advisory support provided to Government Stakeholders in the finalization of a National Roads Policy (NRP)
  • Output 1.2 - Technical support provided in updating the annual rural roads investment strategy and, as required the 5-year Rural Roads Master Plan and Investment Strategy (RRMPIS)
  • Output 1.3 - Key R4D manuals, training materials, operational procedures and supporting technical/managerial tools finalized and/or institutionalized
  • Output 1.4 - Prepared training plan and provided training and capacity development support at national and municipal level to Government staff involved in planning, implementation, management and monitoring of investments in R4D
  • Output 1.5 - Strengthened social safeguards compliance and community engagement.
  • Output 1.6 - Direct implementation support provided in the planning, implementation and management of R4D works, including possible support in assessing the recent flood damage and planning flood damage repair works

EOPO 2: Increased contractor capacity, employment and income in selected rural communities

  • Output 2.1 - Improved compliance by R4D contractors to social and environmental safeguards compliance
  • Output 2.2 - Context specific approaches to raise the profile and associated benefits of involving women and people with disabilities in R4D identified and applied, and skills training on the application of these approaches provided to relevant government staff.
  • Output 2.3 - Climate resilient R4D works and a study conducted of potential climate adaptation measures that can be considered in R4D to ensure that R4D investments are not only climate resilient but also prolong the life-time of the investments and contractors involved in R4D