ASINDES PVO development program

Mid-term evaluation is based on document review, interviews with USAID/G, PACT, and ASINDES staff, and site visits. It covers the period 1986-87. The first year and a half of the project has been spent on preparing the grant"s structure and resolving ASINDES" internal disputes, clarifying the working relationship between PACT and ASINDES, and preparing for the implementation of the grants program (GP). The GP has already approved 15 NGO projects, and all of its funds seem likely to be obligated (if not fully disbursed) by the end of the project. The GP has also successfully introduced an independent Project Selection Committee, and is potentially a significant source of income for ASINDES. It is also contributing to operational improvements among recipient NGO"s. Unfortunately, the GP is consuming more time than expected, and more attention needs to be paid to assessing the economic benefits, financial sustainability, and social impact of projects proposed by NGO"s, and to monitoring approved projects. About 140 NGO staff have participated in five ASINDES workshops, more than was planned for the entire project. However, the quality of the training has been questioned. Also, only two diagnostic studies of individual NGO"s training/TA needs have been conducted, due to opposition from the NGO"s. Significant steps have been taken toward consolidating ASINDES and formalizing its legal status and governing statutes. Nine new member NGO"s have been added. But progress has been slow in improving accounting and project planning and monitoring, due to loss of key personnel and low staff morale. Key recommendations are, inter alia, that: larger grants under the GP should be considered; priority be given to hiring additional staff; major issues such as a strategy for institution building and fundraising be resolved by ASINDES" Board of Directors; USAID/G and PACT be more involved with Board members; and the project be extended up to 2 more years. Lessons learned from this project are: regular communication between Mission officials and those of the local counterpart is essential; adequate funding provision for staff training should be made at the start of a project; and plans to diversify funding sources should be an integral part of any long-term project.