As a development institution, the World Bank supports two broad goals in South East Europe: (i) poverty reduction and (ii) economic and social development, the latter in support of the countries ambition to join the Europen Union. The central vehicle for supporting the national reform program of each country is the so-called Country Assistance Strategy (CAS). Based on an assessment of the country's priorities, past portfolio performance and creditworthiness, the CAS sets strategic priorities and determines the level and composition of financial and technical assistance that the Bank seeks to provide the country. The framework for poverty reduction and economic growth are the countries’ own Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs), developed by the government through a participatory consultation procedure.