Interim project evaluation : policy reform project, AID - Bolivia

The evaluation covers the period 4/86-1988. At this point, UDAPE provides a series of policy inputs to the Government of Bolivia: specific operational support for some ministries, advice to ministries on technical issues and policy alternatives, and longer-term research on policy issues. The development of an active analytical team at UDAPE has been a major project success. While there has been high turnover among UDAPE analysts, the new staff are very experienced and capable; even a strong critic of UDAPE gave them generally high marks. UDAPE's ability to operate successfully under Bolivia's difficult political conditions is evident in the number of organizations asking for assistance. There are some internal management problems, however -- especially the uncertain stability of UDAPE's organizational structure and the inadequate monitoring of some activities -- which indicate the need for a new administrative structure for the Unit. UDAPE is clearly an important factor in Bolivia's policy process. Many of the Unit's large quantity of papers have had a direct effect on particular policy initiatives. However, UDAPE studies have declined both in quantity (from 148 in 1986-87 to 103 in 1987-88) and in depth (analytical studies dropped from 74 to 46). There is some concern that the Unit's work has become too reactive and short-term, since the share of studies in direct response to external requests has risen from 35% to 62%. It is recommended that UDAPE undertake longer-term research planning and increase emphasis on analytical, longer-term studies of an applied research nature. The Unit should also expand its distribution list to facilitate a wider exchange of ideas. Key to UDAPE's future in regard to both internal management and policy influence will be the effectiveness of the recently reactivated Board of Directors.