Report to the United States AID/Mission to Costa Rica related to the special development fund activities

Special evaluation covers the period 11/76-8/80 and is based on document review and site interviews with SDF committee members and project beneficiaries. A total of 207 project requests have been reviewed since 1977, of which 78 have been approved and funded. In 1980, for example, of 63 requests analyzed, 16 have been approved, averaging $5,000 each, and including a cement block factory, a school, a public guest house in a geographically marginal community, a center for abandoned children, a playground, two nutrition and four community centers; and individual projects in industrial sewing, community elecrification, agricultural transportation, and chicken and pig raising. Projects generally complied with A.I.D. guidelines in effectively meeting community needs, especially those of a social nature, and have strengthened beneficiary attitudes toward U.S. development efforts. The frequent use and maintenance of SDF equipment and facilities-except in two projects -- attested to the deep community support for the projects. Since 62% of requests are rejected, it is recommended that the project"s budget be increased or requests accepted for only one region per year. Minor changes are needed in administrative procedures and in selection criteria. Processing should start immediately upon receipt of a request; continue with analysis, approval and follow-up activities; and conclude with the awarding of a plaque. Rejection letters should suggest openness to receiving future requests. The selection process should be both more systematic-- involving site visits and standardized data collection methods to allow for comparative analysis--and more rapid. Explanations of approvals or rejections should be recorded and duplication of projects avoided. Because production projects seem to have few direct beneficiaries and require more detailed feasibility studies and technical assistance, requests for such projects should be redirected to in-country development organizations. The SDF committee took exception to the last of these recommendations.