Final draft : the IFES interim evaluation

Interim evaluation covers the period 9/91-8/93. IFES has provided pre-electoral assessment and technical onsite electoral assistance, electoral commodities, civic education, election observation; conducted symposia and conferences; developed an electoral resource center and data base; and produced publications. Few other organizations perform similar services; IFES is not regionally limited like Centro de Asistencia y Promocion Electoral (CAPEL) in Central America, the closest organization to it in purpose (and also established with USAID funds), and it is less political than the National Republican Institute (IRI) or the National Democratic Institute (NDI). Its role in providing electoral commodities is not filled by any other organization. IFES is viewed by people within USAID and others in the field from many perspectives. Some see it as largely a passive organization that does what it is told and is politically naive. Some among these hope that IFES would initiate projects on its own. Others see IFES as an organization too often unwilling to follow Mission, USAID, or Embassy directives and therefore as not "responsive." Most respondents, however, view the substantive field work of IFES as excellent. To these observers, the primary problems in USAID"s relationship with IFES lie in the management area, particularly IFES" sluggishness in meeting some of USAID"s bureaucratic requirements. These people are concerned that IFES has not responded to USAID"s request to do more strategic planning and develop a longer time horizon. Nearly everyone is bothered by the inefficiencies in the principal Cooperative Agreement between IFES and USAID, particularly its provision for "add-ons", which in practice has led to disappointing delays when teams had to get into the field quickly. Recommendations address these problems. (Author abstract, modified)