REPORT ON THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICE OF BOLIVIA

WHILE REORGANIZING NCD"S RELATIVE STRENGTHS AND ITS SIGNIFICANT REPUTATION AMONG MEMBERS OF THE TARGET POPULATION, EVALUATORS OFFER AN ANALYSIS OF A NUMBER OF TECHNICAL & ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEMS WHICH, IN THEIR JUDGEMENT, RENDER NCD"S CAPABILITY IN ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROPOSED LOAN QUESTIONABLE. SUCH PROBLEM AREAS EXAMINED INCLUDE THE SHALLOWNESS OF NCDS STAFF TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, HIGH PERSONNEL TURN-OVER, BREAKDOWNS IN THE DELIVERY OF NCDS MATERIALS AND OTHER ASSISTANCE; AND SUBSTANDARD SALARY REMUNERATION. EVALUATORS OFFER A SERIES OF CORRECTIVE RECOMMENDATIONS. REPORT THEN DEALS WITH SPECIFIC ASPECTS OF THE PROPOSED REVOLVING CREDIT FUND PROGRAM, ASSESSING NCDS CAPABILITIES IN THE AREAS TO BE ADDRESSED: STAFFING, PROJECT SELECTION, SUB-LENDING PROCEDURES, TRAINING, USE OF FEMALE PARA-TECHNICIANS, AND PROGRAM EVALUATION. THE FINAL SECTION ADDRESSES THE IMPLICATIONS OF NCDS STAFF PARTICIPATION/COORDINATION WITH OTHER USAID-FINANCED PROGRAMS IN THE RURAL SECTOR. DESPITE THEIR RESERVATIONS, EVALUATORS CONCLUDE THAT NCDS ITS"POSSIBLY THE ONLY PROGRAM IN BOLIVIA WITH THE POTENTIAL CAPABILITY TO ORGANIZE & FINANCE INCOME-GENERATING PROJECTS AMONG SMALL FARMERS ON A NATIONAL SCALE."