Mid-term evaluation of USAID/DR [Dominican Republic] democratic initiatives project (PID)

Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) is implementing the project. Mid-term evaluation covers the period 3/92-7/96. After a slow start, activity picked up in 1995. PID has awarded 57 grants (36 ongoing and 21 completed), ranging from $6,800 to $176,000. According to statistics provided by PID"s operational unit, 1,442 institutions have benefited directly from the project, with a total of 17,292 direct beneficiaries and 140,288 indirect. Most of the direct beneficiaries live in urban areas, although the grants are not concentrated in Santo Domingo, but have also been awarded elsewhere, particularly in the North-Central region and in the South. While the grants have not focused on the poorest segments of society, most beneficiaries reside in "barrios populares," where incomes are low. Most (57%) beneficiaries are men, but the gender gap is narrowing slightly. While this trend is encouraging, work with women leaders actually declined in 1995. Although PID has expanded the range of recipient organizations, most grants continue to be awarded to the better-known and more established NGOs and organizations. At the same time, however, the grants tend to focus on specific populations or regions rather than on agenda-setting at the national level. PID"s actual impact on democratic culture cannot be clearly assessed. The DEMOS survey by itself, as a baseline survey, does not allow for such measurement, and the project"s failure to conduct periodic surveys makes it impossible to assess changes in values and attitudes. To meet its goals by the 2002 PACD, however, PID will have to become more proactive in identifying target groups and regions, as well as themes related to democratic education and state reform, in order to motivate NGOs and grassroots organizations to apply for funding. In particular, more grants should be funded in highly deprived regions in the Eastern and Western parts of the country. The following lessons have been learned. (1) PID is a successful effort to implement a democracy project in an environment which has been distrustful of U.S. interference in domestic affairs. The "Medio Paso Atras" (one-half step behind) strategy gave the Dominicans the lead on this project. The strategic location of the Operational Unit in the PUCMM also contributed to the project"s legitimacy. (2) The project"s 10-year authorization allows time to prepare, define policies, write procedures, gain credibility, and then to see results, learn from mistakes, and adjust the approach. (3) PUCMM maintains high standards in the grant proposal and award process and in follow-up monitoring. These standards have had positive impacts on the quality of grant activities, and have contributed to the sustainability of the grantees. (4) The Consultative Council, which is comprised of Dominican leaders from political parties, labor unions, and other sectors, has played a key role in legitimizing the project and also has provided an example of responsible civic discussion, where individuals representing diverse interests feel free to discuss their disagreements in pursuit of a common goal of enhancing democratic initiatives.