Evaluation of the USAID Cuba program

Evaluation covers the period from the program's inception in October 1995 to April 2000. To date, USAID has awarded $6,419,275 to 15 NGOs and three universities in the United States to increase the free flow of accurate information on democracy and human rights to, from, and within Cuba. The program has supported activities in six areas: (1) building solidarity with Cuba's human rights activists; (2) planning for transition; (3) giving voice to Cuba's independent journalists; (4) defending the rights of Cuban workers; (5) helping develop independent Cuban NGOs; and 6) providing direct outreach to the Cuban people. USAID expends approximately $500 million per year on 72 country and regional programs that support democracy and good governance. The vast majority of these programs are carried out collaboratively with the governments in the countries where activities take place. USAID's Cuba program is one of a few exceptional cases for several reasons: the Government of Cuba prohibits pro-democracy activity within Cuba and works to thwart the USAID Cuba program; the United States and Cuba do not maintain diplomatic relations; and U.S. law prohibits assistance to the Government of Cuba and its dependencies. As a result of these obstacles, program grantees have encountered difficulty in identifying Cuban partners and promoting the free flow of information to, from, and within Cuba. Despite these difficulties, the USAID Cuba program and its grantees have demonstrated the potential to contribute to a peaceful transition to democracy in Cuba. While the program is only a small part of the U.S. Government's approach to Cuba, USAID's encouragement of democratic change in Cuba provides sustenance and information to important actors on the island, within the international community, and to several U.S. civil society organizations that are helping people within Cuba today. USAID's administration of the program has been satisfactory and effective, particularly since it takes place in such a difficult political context and is subjected to constant cross-cutting pressures. The program would benefit from an increase in staff at USAID headquarters and in Havana, the adoption of a research agenda to guide planning and to inform program activities, expanded information sharing and cooperation among grantees, and improved measurement of program performance. (Author abstract, modified)