Improved quality of life for Ecuadorian children

Evaluation covered the period 7/85-10/87. Major findings of the evaluation were as follows. (1) The institutional development path followed by INNFA changed dramatically after the A.I.D. agreement had been signed in July 1985. Consequently, many of the efforts, priorities, and results that were being targeted by INNFA did not match the project logframe. (2) Regarding the TA, Fish Associates International has been submitting quarterly progress reports to INNFA and AID on a regular basis. However, in order to subsequently relate the institutional transformation of INNFA with the external TA, a more detailed record is needed. (3) INNFA did not have a formal organizational structure that delineated the relationship (functional and managerial) between the various technical and administrative units. Subsequent to the mid-term evaluation, the Mission was informed (in 10/88) that the new Ecuadorean government was assigning INNFA the task of directly attending to the needs of children in extreme poverty. Although no written confirmation of this change has been received, the project is at a standstill. It is increasingly apparent that other funding options available to INNFA (UNICEF, EEC) are more in line with INNFA"s new mandate than is the A.I.D. project"s institution-building focus. Consequently, action on the evaluation"s recommendations is on hold at present. (Author abstract, modified)