PVO co-financing : Save the Children (US) - SCF

PES covers the period 9/80-8/81 and is based on an attached internal evaluation (XD-CAA-303-E) based on site visits to the four impact areas (Mirzapur, Ghior, Masirnagar, and Rangunia) and discussion and observation by SCF field and program staff. The project has had some difficulties in addressing its ambitious Phase II target, with SCF concentrating on program planning, staffing, and training, in addition to operating the ongoing village programs. Due to a 5-month delay in fielding the program trainee (who did not come on board until late 1/81), much of the data gathering and program planning is just now beginning to take shape; project files for the village development committees (VDC"s) are almost finalized and will provide useful records for monitoring village costs/benefits and impact. A concerted effort has been made to promote income-earning projects for VDC"s and village women and to increasingly replace USAID/SCF funds in productivity projects. Two of four sectoral strategies - women"s programs and health/nutrition/family planning - have been prepared, and two of four advisory committees have been established, although area impact and village plans have not yet begun; most village planning has related to training village workers. Villagers have continued to participate in project planning. Also, village women and youth have received occupational training, and SCF women coordinators and the SCF Deputy Director have been provided inservice training. Little progress was made in the areas of phasing and outside relations, and, consequently, targets for these activities must be reduced. Action decisions are to conduct an indepth study of the community-based integrated rural development methodology in Rangunia as part of the phase-out from Kulkurmai and one other village and to provide USAID/B with a summary list of revised project targets.