Evaluation of the ROCAP/CAPS project, FY Sep. 30, 1985-March 31, 1985 [i.e. 1988]

External evaluation covered the period FY85-3/88. Overall, the project has been successful in promoting scholarship, diplomacy, and development on a regional level and in providing more relevant training by utilizing Central American regional institutions. The major area of concern is the limited number of female participants in the agricultural education training segment. However, this is primarily due to the small number of women involved in agricultural education. Returned participants have made significant contributions by forming national and regional alumni organizations, conducting seminars, and introducing new crops and educational activities in the national agricultural schools. If the project continues, well- developed information selection, training, and follow-up systems will be available. Two major lessons were learned. (1) Careful analysis needs to be conducted prior to selecting the target training group to ensure that A.I.D. policy issues will be met. In this case, a targeting of other areas besides agricultural education would have compensated for the small number of women in this field and allowed ROCAP to meet the policy target that 40% of program participants be women. (2) A mechanism must be established to assure the continuance of relationships established between participants and U.S. institutions and colleagues.