Project assistance completion report : Central American peace scholarships program (CAPS I)

training to potential Costa Rican leaders, especially those from socially and economically disadvantaged groups. This well-designed project was a success, training 2,023 individuals -- vs. a target of 1,800 -- in fields consistent with Costa Rica's development priorities, most notably in education, community development, public administration, and the agricultural and environmental sciences. All trainees have returned to Costa Rica and are employing their skills productively and with an extraordinary multiplier effect. Trainees also developed a new vision of themselves and the world and grew in self-confidence and sense of responsibility. Establishment of selection criteria and of a selection committee composed of representatives from the Mission's technical divisions, training experts, returned participants, and members of the Training Office were key factors in the success of the long-term academic training component. In addition, the use of intermediary institutions for the short-term technical training component, ensured the broad participation of the socio-economically disadvantaged in the overall training program.