Development studies program phase II

Evaluation covered the period 1987-3/90. The project has helped the National Development Planning Agency (BAPPENAS) and the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) to build improved information bases for policymaking, it has enhanced policy dialogue, and has had an impact on policy reform. BAPPENAS has gained the confidence of policymakers and is in a position to provide significant assistance to the GOI"s policy reform agenda, while BPS has expanded its capacity to serve BAPPENAS, other government agencies, and the research community. While efforts to develop personnel skills have been more modest, the project has strengthened the ability of Indonesian personnel through formal training for research assistants and junior agency staff, collaborative research, and seminars on policy issues. Further strengthening of BAPPENAS" in-house analytic capacity is needed, however The project"s flexible approach allowed changes to be made during implementation. After the initial phase, which concentrated heavily on independent research and rather open policy dialogue, the project was redirected. BAPPENAS requested an operational mode in which the advisors would be more responsive to day to day policy issue demands and in which a high degree of confidentiality about politically sensitive issues and policy discussions would be maintained. In a related area, the use of a special research fund separate from the TA contact has provided the flexibility to support special studies, unanticipated data analysis, and special training needs. An action decision is to extend the project for 2 years at increased funding.