Cooperative agreement GRADE-USAID no. 527-0356-A-00-4408-00 : mid - term evaluation report

The civic awareness component, which is being implemented by the Group of Analysis for Development (GRADE), a Peruvian NGO, aims to enhance citizens' knowledge of their rights and responsibilities and of the workings of democratic institutions. Interim evaluation covers the period 1995-96. Due to the Government of Peru's unwillingness for institutional reform (which only surfaced after the project was designed), efforts to date have focused on civil society and grassroots initiatives. Specifically, GRADE has awarded 34 subgrants; organized more than 120 events, workshops, seminars, conferences and meetings; supported continuing radio programs on 24 stations across the country; supported 27 studies on civic awareness issues; and published close to 50,000 copies of books, bulletins, guides, and fascicles. In the research subcomponent, first year studies had little impact on civic awareness activities; the situation improved during the second year. The subgrant program is the principal activity and targets NGO initiatives -- especially ongoing efforts of respected NGOs -- with the greatest potential for advancing the project purpose. Funded projects have reached close to 70,000 direct beneficiaries, including members of the political elite, news media, labor unions, grassroots organizations, teachers and students, and the general public. While 80% of these have only received information or sensitization to democratic issues, more than 12,000 have been actively involved in training and educational programs having a direct bearing on their daily occupations and lives. Major results have been obtained within the educational sector through programs to generate democratic coexistence within schools and effect curriculum changes in the system. In qualitative terms, the subgrant program has successfully explored and implemented different means for introducing civic awareness and education to diverse audiences, in the process strengthening the capacity of the NGO community to address democratic governance. After a slow start, GRADE has been an efficient implementor and has made major progress in monitoring both the efficient use of program resources and outcome performance. Its 1997 work plan, which is the most consistent and coherent of Phase I activities, concentrates resources in two lines of action -- civic education and democratic leadership -- that have proven to be most effective in promoting civic awareness, given country setting and available resources. In sum, the project addresses a major problem in Peru's development process and should be continued, though a new project design is needed to accommodate USAID country strategic objectives and the changes in country setting.