Development studies project (phase I)

External evaluation covered the period 6/83-5/89. The project has successfully facilitated more than two dozen subprojects (SP"s) of timely use in implementing Indonesia"s Fourth Five-Year Development Plan. Major contributions have been made in a broad spectrum of sectors and include: (1) a physical master plan for the Open University campus; (2) identification of social and regional differences in food consumption to improve nutrition progams; (3) creation of a nutrition warning system; (4) recognition of the social and economic importance of informal sector employment; (5) drafting and dissemination of more than 24 case studies showing the impact of government regulations on private business; (6) installation within the National Development Planning Agency of an approved system for tracking aid utilization; (7) acceptance of new standards for housing construction and finance which consider regional and economic differences; and (8) dialogue with Ulamas on the possibility of modernizing the science curriculum of Islamic secondary schools. The project"s success is attributed to: its flexibility in addressing problems across a broad range of sectors; strict, low limits on the amount of money and time spent on each SP ($200,000 and 18 months); close supervision by a small, active steering committee; Indonesian management of most SP"s; a flexible SP approval process; its willingness to consider proposals from any source (i.e., ministries, USAID/I, universities, and PVO"s); relevant and practical SP design; and varied and appropriate methods of disseminating SP findings. Projects such as this work best when supported by ministers responsible for economic policy development. Management by enthusiastic senior government officials who can exchange ideas openly is key.