CODEL evaluation

(CODEL) promote collaboration among its member agencies and support development projects worldwide. Special evaluation covers the period 1978-81 and is based on document review, discussions with A.I.D. and CODEL headquarter personnel, and visits to project sites. CODEL has made notable preliminary advances in promoting collaboration across national and religious lines among member and colleague agencies while at the same time directly providing information and technical assistance in development activities. Projects provide the disadvantaged with previously unavailable health and medical services and agricultural inputs, as well as vocational and other skills. Despite some outstanding bright spots, however, most of CODEL's 136 current projects do not seem to live up to CODEL's own development criteria. Particular problems include inadequate stress on self-reliant development (there is some evidence of overstress on social welfare projects) and inadequate learning from project experience in dialogue with other organizations (for the latter, additional staff would be required). Further, CODEL does not provide project-holders with adequate assistance in project planning, selection, monitoring, and evaluation. Reasons for this include a lack of basic planning and evaluation requirements, the fact that CODEL area coordinators are overworked (the implementing agencies visited complained that not enough time was spent with them), and an insufficiently critical project review process. CODEL spends the greater part of its budget in direct support of overseas projects, for the most part partially funding projects in collaboration with other donors. It often happens, however, that other donors pass clients along to CODEL without regard to CODEL's own criteria. CODEL-A.I.D. relationships are generally positive, although CODEL at times feels constrained by Mission attitudes. To help CODEL achieve the high goals it has set for itself and towards which it has made commendable progress, 21 recommendations are made regarding CODEL goals and corresponding activities, internal and program financial management, data collection needs, collaboration, project planning, evaluation of impact, and relationships with A.I.D.