COMMUNITY FARMS (11/8/78)

EVALUATION WAS CARRIED-OUT BY THE INSTITUTO DE PROMOCION ECONOMICO SOCIAL DEL URUGAY (IPRU) UNDER CONTRACT WITH CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES (CRS) AND WAS SUBJECT OF DISCUSSION DURING A MEETING HELD 11/8/78 ATTENDED BY MEMBERS OF CRS, IPUR, CALFORU, MJA, CARITAS, AND USAID. EVALUATION RESULTED IN THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT: 1.THE DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM BE IMPROVED BOTHBEFORE AND AFTER LOAN APPROVAL; 2.CAUSES OF POOR PROGRAM PARTICIPATION BE STUDIED; 3,LOAN APPLICATIONS INCLUDE PROOF THAT THE GROUP DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A REGULAR LINE OF CREDIT FOR THE PROPOSED CROP; 4.GROUPS OF THE INITIAL AND FINAL LOAN COSTS BE IMFORMED OF EXPENSES; 5.INSTITUTIONS PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM IMPROVE THEIR PROCEDURES OF PROMOTING THE PROGRAM AND CONVEYING INFORMATION TO THE BENEFICIARIES ON HOW THE PROGRAM FUNCTIONS; 6.CLEAR CRITERIA BE ESTABLISHED TO SELECT GROUPS; 7.APPLICATION FORMS BE REVISED TO INCLUDE THE DATA REQUIRED TO APPLY SELECTION CRITERIA; 8.A FOLDER BE MAINTAINED FOR EACH LOAN; 9.PROGRAM INSTITUTION PROVIDE ADEQUATE BACKSTOPPING TO THEIR REPRESENTATIVES; 10.TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE COMPONENT BE REORGANIZED; 11.FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION BE IMPROVED; 12.INSTITUTIONS DECIDE THEIR CONTRIBUTNS IN FULFILLING OPERATIONAL NEEDS; 13.THOSE GROUPS WITH NO PRIOR LIFE BE SUBJECT TO A MORE DETAILED ANALYSIS AND CONTROLS THAN GROUPS IN EXISTENCE PRIOR TO SUBMITTING LOAN APPLICATIONS; 14.ASSISTANCE TO THE GROUPS WAITING FOR LOANS BE INTENSIFIED; 15.AGREEMENTS WITH REQUIRED CLAUSES FOR MAKING GROUP MEMEBERS LIABLE BE INCLUDED IN LOANS; 16.SELECTION PROCESSES FAVOR GROUPS WHO AGREE TO SELL THEIR GOODS JOINTLY RATHER THAN AS INDIVIDUALS;AND 17.AN EVALUATION OF GROUP PERFORMANCE BE MADE IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THEIR PERFORMNACE. (THIS EVALUATION IS IN SPANISH.)