EVALUATION OF USAID OPG TO ASCONA. (10/14/79-10/24/79).

THE MOTTO AND BEACON OF ASCONA IS "DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT DESTRUCTION". THE ORGANIZATION HAS TWO FUNDAMENTAL GOALS: (1) CONSERVATION EDUCATION FOR THE YOUTH AND GENERAL PUBLIC, AND (2) FORCEFUL ACTION AGAINST THOSE IN COSTA RICA WHO DISREGARD ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND RESOURCE CONSERVATION FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. PRIOR TO THE OPERATIONAL PROGRAM GRANT, ASCONA OPERATED ON A MEAGER BUDGET WITH ONLY VOLUNTEER SERVICES. THE ORGANIZATION HAS SHOWN SIGNS, HOWEVER, OF SOCIO-POLITICAL INFLUENCE REGARDING COSTA RICAN ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSERVATION ISSUES. ASCONA HAS HIRED A FULL-TIME EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, A FIVE-MEMBER TECHNICAL/EDUCATIONAL STAFF, AND SOME CLERICAL PERSONNEL. THOUGH ONLY HALFWAY THROUGH THE GRANT PERIOD, ASCONA"S MEMBERSHIP AND DONATION INCOME HAS INCREASED DRAMATICALLY, ITS VOICE IS HEARD ALMOST DAILY ON TELEVISION, ON RADIO, OR IN THE PRESS, AND ITS INFLUENCE IS REACHING HIGH LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT. THE EVALUATION PROVIDES A NUMBER OR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ASCONA. (1) HIRE ADDITIONAL STAFF IN CONSERVATION EDUCATION AND IN FUNDRAISING. (2) EXPAND LIBRARY COLLECTIONS OF BOOKS, JOURNALS, ARTICLES, AND AUDIO-VISUAL MATERIALS. (3) CONSIDER ADDITION OF A STUDENT MEMBERSHIP FOR ASCONA. (4) REQUEST FUNDING TO CREATE A MODEST WATER QUALITY LABORATORY AND/OR AN AIR QUALITY LABORATORY. (5) SEEK FUNDING FOR A VEHICLE FOR EDUCATIONAL AND INVESTIGATIVE ACTIVITIES. (6) MAINTAIN A DAILY LOG OF ALL ASCONA ACTIVITIES. (7) PREPARE SIMPLE, ILLUSTRATED BOOKLETS FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN WHICH DEAL WITH CONSERVATION TOPICS. (8) EXPAND LEGAL SERVICES. (9) MAINTAIN OR INTENSIFY THE ATTACK AGAINST THOSE PERSONS AND INSTITUTIONS IN COSTA RICA WHO IGNORE CONSERVATION. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE ALSO PROVIDED FOR USAID/CR. FUTURE OPG"S TO SMALL, PRIVATE GROUPS SHOULD ALLOW UP TO SIX-MONTH START-UP PERIOD. CLOSE LIAISON BETWEEN AID STAFF AND ASCONA SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. THIS EVALUATION IS APPENDED TO PES 5150142001502.