Mid-term evaluation of the institutional strengthening of civic participation

The evaluation covered the period 6/89-4/94, and addressed three of the project"s components, the fourth, judicial/legal aid, having been evaluated separately in 1993. The project is making important contributions to the development of democratic institutions and processes in the more receptive environment of post-1991 Bangladesh (i.e., after the fall of the Ershad regime). Nonetheless, the parliamentary development component has been plagued by delays. The Government took more than a year to approve the activities and Parliament, due to bureaucratic inertia, has not yet established an autonomous secretariat. On the bright side, the Center for Analysis and Choice (CAC), a local NGO, has organized seminars for Members of Parliament and established a legislative drafting unit and a Member information service, thereby demonstrating the private sector"s ability to provide services to Parliament. In sum, sufficient progress has been made to justify expanded efforts with the CAC and warrant some optimism for future activities with the Secretariat. The Election Commission is led by competent and dedicated civil servants who are committed to maintaining integrity and efficiency in future elections, and TAF"s comprehensive and long-term approach to elections assistance is paying dividends. A pilot project to computerize the national electoral roll, while behind schedule, is progressing in an encouraging manner, and NGO voter education activities and a study of voter behavior have been successful. This program should be continued after the current project. The print media in Bangladesh has flourished since 1991, but needs to become more responsible in order not to lose credibility. TAF"s major activity has been to train over 800 journalists in important topics such as the environment, parliamentary reporting, and family planning. It is also attempting, though with more limited success to date, to upgrade journalism instruction at Dhaka University. There has been no activity directed toward electronic media, which are operated solely by the government. Flexible project management by USAID/Bangladesh and TAF has permitted the project to adapt positively to changing conditions and new opportunities. This was borne out when the abrupt change of government presented the opportunity for much more effective programming. TAF has consistently demonstrated excellent relations with counterparts in both government and the private sector, as well as a commitment to genuine democratic development. Commendably, it has taken a long-range view of progress. It is recommended that TAF: (1) continue only minimal, highly targeted assistance to the Parliamentary Secretariat until its autonomy is established and additional permanent staff are recruited; (2) continue to work with CAC and other NGOs to expand the involvement of private organizations in the Parliamentary Development Program; and (3) assess the potential benefits of establishing an institutional linkage between the Election Commission and the International Foundation for Electoral Support. USAID/Bangladesh should formally recommend that the GOB abolish the quota system for the sale/import of newsprint. Three lessons were learned. (1) The long- and short-term results of democracy strengthening projects can be difficult to define or perceive; a rolling design is recommended, inn which targets and indicators are refined over time. (2) Private organizations such as NGOs and universities can play useful, important roles in legislative development projects. (3) Flexibility in project management may be required in democracy strengthening projects to accommodate changes in the political environment and identify additional programming opportunities.