Civil service reconstruction isimportant in post-conflict countries because conflict erodesinstitutions and civil service capacity. And becausesuccessful reconstruction-in all sectors -requires domesticcapacity to implement projects, a weak civil serviceundermines overall reconstruction efforts. Moreover, donorassistance is crucial to a country's rebuilding, andcoordinating such assistance requires a certain amount ofcivil service capacity. In addition, the Bank has found thatcountry ownership is essential for successful projects. Butcountry ownership can be jeopardized if internationalagencies and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) dominatereconstruction efforts, overwhelming states already weakenedby conflict. Civil service reconstruction offers anopportunity to start anew, with little of the resistance tocivil service reform often encountered from politicians andcivil servants. It allows good practices to be instilledfrom the outset-without having to undo bad ones.