Integrated rural development (OPG), Siliana

Mid-term evaluation, a joint effort by the Government of Tunisia (GOT) and USAID/T, covers the period 9/77-9/79 and is based on document review; discussions with USAID/T staff and GOT staff, the country director of the Save the Children Foundation (SCF), and beneficiaries; and a review of the project by Practical Concepts, Inc. (PCI). The PCI evaluators concluded that none of the project"s targeted outputs were satisfactorily produced, but nevertheless, that rural Tunisia was amenable to SCF"s self-help strategy; SCF had developed a staff that could implement the strategy; and SCF had established strong working relations with Tunisian institutions. Evaluators also concluded that while GOT officials appreciated SCF"s presence, they were wary of taking over at the end of SCF involvement. Start-up of the project and input delivery were delayed by slow negotiation of the initial agreement. Early difficulties in obtaining GOT permission to engage in group activities and SCF problems in mobilizing recipients for group action were apparently due to traditional skepticism about participating in government-sponsored projects. While SCF"s grassroots Community Based Integrated Rural Development (CBIRD) approach is gaining support from the target population and local officials, GOT officials remain skeptical. Earlier consultation with GOT institutions would have increased project effectiveness. As a result of the evaluation (which occurred simultaneously with a final evaluation of Project 0285), a 1-year project extension was approved. A decision on Phase II of the project has been delayed until the spring of 1981 due to the unavailability of funds and the need to evaluate SCF"s success in implementing the recommendations given below. It is recommended that SCF increase its funding for the project and inculcate its methodology to GOT officials by working more closely with the Central Tunisia Development Authority, the Siliana Governorate, the Ministry of Social Affairs, and the Tunisian PVO, ASDEAR; and by providing a training program for Tunisian GOT or PVO personnel engaged in rural development activities.