Project assistance completion report for Small Business Association of Jamaica

The project had limited success in expanding the SBAJ"s capacity. While the SBAJ increased its membership from 500 to approximately 1,500 members, this fell far short of its expectation of 5,000 members; about 20% of members are outside of Kingston, vs. a targeted 30%. SBAJ staff was increased to five professionals and four support personnel, vs. respective targets of three and eight. SBAJ targets for bulk buying, administrative services, and TA (the latter through International Executive Service Corps seminars and workshops) were achieved while A.I.D. funds were available, but SBAJ has not been able to sustain these services. Nor did the organization make much progress in its attempt to set up information and data base programs, although a good deal of effort was put into these activities. The planned directories, pamphlet, and data base were not produced; monthly bulletins were issued for a time, but have been discontinued. On the positive side, the project strengthened SBAJ"s advocacy role on behalf of its members, increasing the number of flea markets to one a week and providing a good library. Lessons which may be learned from the project include the following. (1) Realistic goals and benchmarks should be established at the outset, along with interim checkpoints to allow opportunities for mid-course correction. (2) Continued funding could be made dependent on the grantee achieving the interim goals or obtaining a waiver under special circumstances. (3) Support for institution building must be dependent on the institution"s plans and actual achievements during the life of the project, aimed at sustaining its activities after grant funds are exhausted. (Author abstract, modified)