Final report -- evaluation of the development of environmental management systems and environmental support projects (AID project #'s 598-0605/597-0035 & 598-0780)

The Development of Environmental Management Systems project (DEMS) was implemented from 1979 through 1989. The Environmental Support (ESP) project, launched in 1990, is a follow-on to the DEMS project. In general, the projects have been a success. They have: contributed to an understanding of environmental issues at the regional and country levels; made significant contributions to USAID compliance with environmental regulations and Congressional mandates; helped USAIDs to incorporate environmental concerns cross-sectorally; and enhanced the design, implementation, and monitoring of environmental/natural resource projects. Missions have greatly benefitted from the existence of a Washington, D.C.-based central office, which provided up-to-date interpretations of complex environmental concerns, and from the presence of regional advisors to respond to pressing issues. Pilot projects financed under the two projects have provided inexpensive solutions to a range of environmental problems, and particularly addressed Congressional mandates. These projects have demonstrated which paths to pursue and which to avoid on the road to practical environmental solutions. They also enhanced the capabilities of many U.S. and local NGOs. The principal limitations of the two projects were due to there being more demand for services than could be satisfied by the personnel involved or financial resources available. There were not enough project specialists to respond to the needs of more than 20 Missions. At the same time, the projects have provided poor documentation of results and have rarely been able to provide the depth of assistance and training which is needed by regional and country Mission personnel. Pilot projects were poorly monitored, and the historical record of lessons learned from these initiatives is incomplete.