Sustainability of development programs : a compendium of donor experience

projects recently evaluated showing good chances to be self-sustaining after the termination of U.S. assistance, the seriousness of the sustainability issue is now being recognized at the highest levels of the Agency. This report consolidates the experience of A.I.D. and 15 other donor agencies to identify the most important factors affecting sustainability. The paper discusses and briefly illustrates the factors affecting sustainability - government policies; management, organization, and local participation; finance; technology; socioculture; environment and ecology; and external political and economic circumstances. Techniques and conditions that favor sustainability are identified, such as realistic goals, adequate project duration, sufficient maintenance and support systems, continuity, and flexibility. In conclusion, the paper examines current donor efforts to ensure consideration of sustainability in project design and implementation. These efforts include intense host country collaboration and the development of monitoring and early warning systems which can identify impediments to sustainability. An appendix illustrates interrelations among sustainability factors.