Near East regional population project "83

ES, which constitutes the full evaluation, covers the period 1983-1985 and is based on an in-house review by ANE, concerned Missions, and the Project Review Committee. The project has funded 80 separate activities in 9 countries. These activities, some of which span 2 or more countries, have been in accordance with the Project Paper and have included information, education, and communication projects; FP evaluations; workshops, conferences, and training seminars; and partial funding for intermediary organizations. The project, which has been adequately managed, has been useful in identifying potential targets of assistance and is highly valued by the Missions. The demand for project funds - the relative speed of the provision of which is important in some countries - exceeds availability. Most requests for project assistance originate with the host country. Activities funded by the project have opened doors for other activities, promoted policy dialogue and relationships with host government officers and organizations, and provided a source of population funds where none existed. In the case of Tunisia, the project enabled the Mission to develop a new and innovative bilateral population project. Key action decisions follow. (1) Given the merger of the Near East and Asia Bureaus, expand the project to include Asian countries (which have shown a high demand for funds), including countries having bilateral projects. Funds are needed to supplement bilateral programs and especially to finance short-term TA, innovative activities with nongovernmental organizations, and operations research. Asian countries will primarily use the project to "buy in" to selected S&T/POP projects (and thus minimize AID/W project management staff requirements). (2) Extend the project to 1991. (3) Limit the requirement that the DAA approve all activities in excess of $100,000 to those which are not buy-ins to S&T/POP projects. A list of project activities is appended.