AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR FREE LABOR DEVELOPMENT

Evaluation covers the period 4/1/79-12/31/80 and is based on site visits by the U.S. Embassy"s Labor Attache, interviews with local project personnel, and a review of available files. During most of the period the project prospered. However, the political climate became very unstable and resulted in a coup in 7/80 at which time unions were outlawed. This repressive environment (the lives of union members were threatened) necessitated the suspension of project activities on 8/27/80. The transfer of all documents, for security reasons, prevented the evaluators from quantifying project results. This report is thus only a general assessment of achievements. Evidence suggests that all output targets were being met and that union leaders (of 2,300 planned), including woman as far as possible, benefitted from their training; many leaders even risked their lives putting their knowledge to work. The attainment of project objectives was due to the highly capable administration of the AIFLD country program director (CPD), as well as to the effectiveness of AIFLD"s courses in motivating local union and campesino leaders. Should the program be renewed, emphasis should be placed on working with unions and federations within the same sector, because this will allow for more involved trade union education and leadership training within that sector; multi-union work does not involve the AIFLD enough in any one sector; and multi-union activities are difficult to plan and implement due to difficulties experienced with the Ministry of Labor. A detailed report of the project for the evaluation period should be prepared and attached as an Annex to the PES, and the AIFLD/CPD report should be reviewed. Finally, the project design documentation should be revised as appropriate, should the project be reactivated in Bolivia. The revised implementation plan should include recommendations made by the prior CPD.