Lutheran World Relief cooperative agreement OTR-0158 A-00-8158-00 : annual report, year one

In general, inputs are in place, and activities are on schedule. Lessons learned from the period reflect that the development requires patience and flexibility. LWR funded 24 projects in 6 countries during the first 10 months of the cooperative agreement. LWR"s special capabilities involve working with small, often relatively new, indigenous NGO"s; strengthening fledgling NGO"s up to where they can stand on their own; and supporting larger NGO"s with proven records in empowering local marginalized people. As such, LWR is not an implementing agency. Instead, LWR identifies and accompanies NGO"s whose work directly or indirectly involves the participants/beneficiaries. LWR directs its assistance to people not receiving assistance from governments. These populations tend to be among the poorest of the poor. No single set of social, political, and economic conditions prevail in the countries using funds from the agreement. LWR spent $323,186 of private matching funds and $255,560 of A.I.D. funds. The budget for the first twelve months of the year calls for project spending from both funds of $452,500. Spending is somewhat below targets for several reasons, including a lead time for projects begin. LWR has added projects to the cooperative agreement throughout the year. LWR is currently seeking permission of several project holders to include their projects in the agreement. Up to 10 more projects will be added to the agreement by the end of the first year. In addition, LWR has requested that the Philippines be added to the list of approved countries for this agreement. (Author abstract)