An evaluation of the population council fertility in development project

Special evaluation covers the period 10/78-6/80 and is based on site visits and interviews with project officials and participants. The project has been reasonably effective in implementing A.I.D. activities in Asia. Comparatively few projects have been approved as part of the studies program ($165,000 of a budgeted $395,000 has been spent) because of the limited number of high quality, responsive proposals. Four to six projects are expected to be approved in the next few months. Fewer workshops were held during the first 20 months than were scheduled because the first workshop was delayed until 11/79. Workshops have been effective in attracting projects for study programs and will be a useful resource for ensuring the feedback of research findings to the operational level of development. Efforts to inform Missions of the availability of technical services were satisfactory. The major constraint to the use of technical services is the limited availability of Mission staff. Information dissemination, a principal project purpose, has been the weakest component. To improve project performance, it is recommended that: workshops, technical assistance, and information dissemination be emphasized; solicitation of research be more direct; the possibility of developing case studies be considered; consideration be given to workshops based on project-supported case studies; researchers and persons responsible for project design participate in workshops; 2 or 3 programs be selected for concentrated technical assistance; A.I.D. personnel continue their involvement in project activities, especially workshops; increased staff time and effort be allocated to information dissemination (which should be tied to other activities); arrangements be made to continue information dissemination after project completion; and further funding of technical assistance and information dissemination be considered.