CIVIC AND SOCIAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT - SPECIAL EVALUATION OF IFAM

IFAM HAS ADOPTED A BROAD POLICY WITH RESPECT TO ITS MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE WHICH LOOKS BEYOND PUBLIC WORKS AND BASIC SERVICES TO COMPREHENSIVE MUNICIPAL CHANGE, INCLUDING PLANNING, ADMINISTRATIVE, AND FINANCIAL REFORMS, USING PROJECT CREDITS AS AN INCENTIVE AND LEVER. IFAM HAS ESTABLISHED A RESEARCH UNIT TO DEVELOP AN INFORMATION BASE ON MUNICIPALITIES AND THEIR NEEDS. A PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE AND A PLANNING DEPARTMENT WERE ESTABLISHED TO DEVELOP INSTITUTIONAL AND MUNICIPAL PROGRAM PLANS. IFAM PLANNERS HAVE ADOPTED A VERSION OF THE LOGICAL FRAMEWORK MATRIX. IFAM STILL REQUIRES FURTHER IMPROVEMENT IN OTHER AREAS. ASSISTANCE MUST BE DECENTRALIZED TO THE REGIONAL OFFICES, INCLUDING MUNICIPAL PLANNING. ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL REFORMS, PROJECT IDENTIFICATION AND PREPARATION, AND REGIONAL COORDINATION. LOCAL LEVEL PLANS SHOULD REFLECT JOINT EFFORTS OF THE MUNICIPALITY, IFAM, AND OTHER NATIONAL AGENCIES. TRAINING OF IFAM STAFF WILL BE REQUIRED TO MAKE THIS EFFECTIVE. IFAM"S TRAINING OF MUNICIPAL COUNCILMEN AND FUNCTIONARIES NEEDS TO BE BROADENED BEYOND FINANCIAL MATTERS, AND SHOULD INCLUDE PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION. IFAM SHOULD IMPROVE ITS USE OF CONSULTANTS. IFAM TENDS TO DUPLICATE ADVISORS, PROVIDES THEM WITH VAGUE GUIDELINES AND ASSIGNMENTS, AND ACCEPTS REPORTS WITHOUT CLEARLY ADOPTING THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS.