Evaluation of a general support grant to Africare

Special evaluation covers the period 7/82-3/85 and is based on document review, interviews with Africare and AID/W staff, and correspondence with six Missions. Africare's institutional development through 12 years of general support grants has been very successful; the latest grant (1982-85) has enabled the PVO to improve its financial management and expand both field operations and its private funding base - the latter to 30% of total support, satisfying the requirements of the Foreign Assistance Act. Over the life of the grant, Africare designed 128 projects in 17 African countries, only 14 of which were AID-funded. While the large A.I.D. projects generate more overhead revenue and are probably less costly to administer than smaller, privately-funded projects, Africare has a comparative advantage over other PVO's in implementing the latter; a mixture is advisable. Missions have positive impressions of Africare programs - particularly the good relationships between Africare field staff and host country officials, and the competence of TA. Most successful of Africare's new field programs is the Village Development Program (VDP); 9 VDP's have been begun in 4 countries and funding received from 3 donors for more. Other programs initiated under the grant were less successful: only one field technician was posted and his position was discontinued after 2 years; the planned joint venture involving a U.S. corporation and an African economic unit was never launched (nor does Africare have the specialized skills required for such a venture); and no full-time senior planners have been assigned to African ministries. Africare's program management and project monitoring are effective overall, and its proposals are generally of good quality (although often weak in specifying management responsibilities and in concern for sustainability). Financial management is also good and much progress has been made in computerization (with more planned); reporting, though improved, remains chronically behind. Africare's Development Resources Center expanded its acquisitions and overall use during the grant period. Recommendations are included.