Program review/evaluation of small projects

Activities of two local PVO"s (Developpement Progres Populaire and Centre de Developpement Integral) are also reviewed. Evaluation is based on interviews with project personnel and site visits, and covers the period 1978-87. The projects have had mixed success. FCE has successfully taught farmers to become self-sufficient in fish production, and KHEI has successfully install a mini-hydroelectric power plant, relying on a key man and existing infrastructure; its management has been institutionalized. On the other hand, ARTD has developed an extensive library on appropriate technology (AT), but other expected outputs (organizing AT workshops, organizing radio and television programs about AT, etc.) have been less successful, in part because of overreliance on a key man. PMS, an institution-building activity designed to create an Zairian capability to promote private sector agricultural initiatives, has had good success. KHA has completed its construction phase, but the Kimbanguists will need further financial and managerial assistance to completely assume full management of hospital operations. All of the projects would be well served if their management were subsumed under a single "umbrella" manager. Such an arrangement would simplify communications between USAID/Z and the many small projects; it would also allow scarce Mission staff and resources to be reallocated in more productive ways. PVO-implemented projects are good candidates for the umbrella manager concept, since PVO"s tend to be well-established within the community and have existing management structures. Working directly with PVO"s also avoids the problems inherent in channeling funds (as is done now) through the GOZ - namely, ineffectiveness and inefficiency. Under such an umbrella scheme, the development model promising the best and longest lasting results is the church-based PVO (such as CDI and DPP) which has diversified into agriculture and industry to help finance its social services; these PVO"s, however, may need a considerable boost in management capacity. (Author abstract, modified)