Western Hemisphere
CARIBBEAN
Evaluation of the USAID/Caribbean Regional Program in Barbados and Antigua
The purpose of the evaluation was to consider the Barbados and Antigua program reporting indicators within the context of the USAID/Caribbean region’s Strategic Objectives pertaining to trade initiatives and activities.
Recommendations and program options were provided for the U.S. State Department’s Operational Program with an emphasis on Eastern Caribbean’s biodiversity initiatives.
BOLIVIA
USAID Alternative Development Strategies
An evaluation was conducted, not for the purpose of assessing the USAID CONCADE project or to evaluate activities under the Yungas Development Initiative, but to analyze existing alternative development strategies and offered ideas on how to increase the impact of USAID’s alternative development efforts.
The existing strategy, based upon a deep and extensive analysis of the history, sociology, anthropology, productive, economic and market aspects, ecology, environment and political realities related to development in the Chapare and the Yungas, takes into account 14 years of accumulated USAID and other international donors’ field experience. The assessment encompassed both coca-growing areas – the Chapare and the Yungas – as alternative development in Bolivia must be considered holistically as gains in one coca-growing area can offset uncongenial development in the other coca-growing area.
The assessment included the review of original development hypotheses, addressed the current counter-narcotics program requirements of the Mission (within the context of the Government of Bolivia’s defined priorities) and underlying development and political conditions.
The assessment included the design and implementation of a workshop for the Mission team to share findings and recommendations and to discuss modifications adjustments to the alternative development strategy deemed essential to achieving stated objectives.
CHILE
U. S. Trade and Development Agency Feasibility Study for Sawmill and Lumber Remanufacturing Operation
Performed a feasibility study of a project to construct a $60 million sawmill and lumber remanufacturing operation in Talca, Chile.
Analysis included economic, financial and technical features reflecting the project’s impact on and the growth potential of the Chilean wood products industry in overseas markets. The potential for exports of U.S. wood products equipment and trade opportunities for the U.S. wood products equipment was analyzed.
The project had an initial 100,000 cu. M. capacity and draw on an already developed radiata pine plantation. The project displayed strong favorable economic, financial and technical features reflecting the growth potential for the Chilean wood products industry in overseas markets.
The project secured financing through a combination of equity capital, EXIM Bank loans covering purchase of US-supplied capital equipment, and financial sources in Chile. The project facilitated the U.S. wood products equipment manufacturing industry in gaining market share in Chile.
COLOMBIA
USAID Alternative Development Program Design
Program design took place when the region’s agricultural sector had exacerbated problems pertaining to depressed coffee prices and the devaluation of the Colombian peso.
The region is a transit route for Colombian drugs and weapons. It is also a transit route for a large number of refugees and other displaced people.
The program design focused on the objective to increase income and employment for small- and medium-sized farmers by strengthening the competitiveness of rural enterprises through improved farm-to-market linkages inselected sectors and improving the region’s long neglected productive and social infrastructure.
Prepared a program design document analyzing four areas: productive agriculture and livestock enterprise designs; natural resource and environmental management plans; physical and social infrastructure and services; and the structure and capabilities of implementing institutions.
EL SALVADOR
CAFTA-DR
USAID Environment and Labor Excellence Program
As signatories to the Central America-Dominican Republic-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), participating countries are required to improve and effectively enforce existing environmental and labor laws.
The purpose was to faciliate CAFTA-DR country compliance with environmental and labor commitments by focusing on a facet of a multi-faceted program: Alliances to Improve Labor and Environmental Standards, a combined CAFTA-DR labor and environment initiative to improve the adoption of voluntary labor and environmental standards & certification schemes through the development of alliances with national and international supermarkets and chains and other major buyers and supply chains.
Participated in working group meetings in San Salvador to develop an Action Plan. Participated in discussions with subsector consultants pertaining to value chain analysis and market analysis of proposed subsectors: cattle-slaughterhouses, sugar, fruit and vegetables, lobsters and mahi-mahi.
Wrote report: “Producer and Employee Equity Ownership in Value Chain Alliances to Promote Compliance of Labor and Environment Standards in CAFTA-DR Countries,” which included: 1) analysis of US market trends and demands for certified products and demand for targeted certified products; 2) potential US wholesale/retail partners; 3) recommendations for alliance models and strategies and how each is to be implemented; 4) stakeholders concerns; 5) other potential subsectors for subsequent alliances.
ECUADOR
Evaluation of USAID Northern Borders Program
Provided an evaluation of the USAID-Ecuador Income and Employment Generation Project for the Northern Border Region of Ecuador (PRONORTE), an essential component of USAID/Ecuador Northern Border Program, administered in collaboration with the Unidad de Desarrollo Norte (UDENOR) of the Government of Ecuador.
Ecuador relies on the production and export of a few primary commodities including oil, bananas, shrimp and flowers. Most of the Northern Border region population depends on agriculture or agribusiness-related rural enterprises. The region is a transit route for Colombian drugs and weapons and for a large number of refugees and other displaced people. A low rate of investment, a lack of rural credit for agricultural financing, a poor understanding of market needs and conditions coupled with increased pressure on existing natural resources heighten problems. Nevertheless, trade agreements show some promise of opening new market opportunities for Northern Border products. Small and medium agribusinesses are actively seeking ways to compete in these markets.
Program results were assessed against the USAID objective to increase income and employment for small and medium farmers in six diverse northern border provinces by strengthening the competitiveness of rural enterprises through improved farm-to-market linkages in selected sectors. The final report also include environmental review strategies and environmental guidelines.
GUATEMALA
Assessment of a USAID Carbon Sequestration and Sustainable Coffee Project
Participated in an evaluation of a five-year, $25 million program promoting increased effectiveness in regional stewardship of the environment and key natural resources in target areas and provided a review of a proposed carbon sequestration and sustainable coffee project.
A carbon sequestration and sustainable coffee proposal submitted to the U.S. Initiative on Joint Implementation.
(USIJI) was reviewed. A report was prepared for use by the USIJI Evaluation Panel to evaluate proposals for acceptance into the USIJI program. The evaluation team led discussions of several proposals in well-attended review meetings.
PANAMA
Evaluation of a USAID/Panama Canal Watershed Natural Resources Management (NRM) Program
An assessment was conducted of natural resources protection, conservation and management policies in Panama and how these policies influenced the USAID Panama Canal Watershed NRM Program. Measures to protect Panama’s natural resources and environment must be designed with the context of international economic trends.
Recommendations were provided to USAID/Panama including the need for the following: 1) support for strategic policy, planning and program interventions to stimulate a more favorable environment for aggressive and sustainable change in watershed protection and management; 2) development of creative institutional support strategies to improve coordination requirements and operational performance within the Panamanian institutions responsible for natural resource protection and management; 3) support for the establishment of new public-private linkages as a means to establish a more sustainable national system of protected areas; 4) exploration of alternative funding sources that are needed to expand the presence of the national government in the national system of protected areas.
The most pressing recommendation was for the provision of greater focus, support and leverage for critical technical support services to Panamanians living in rural areas within in the Panama Canal Watershed.
PANAMA
Preparation of USAID 118/119 Assessment
An assessment of biodiversity and topical forests in Panama was implemented pursuant to requirements of the Foreign Assistance Act (FAA) Sections 118 and 119 and related to USAID guidance.
The 118/119 assessment was included in a report to USAID: “Environmental Biodiversity, Water, Tropical Forest Conservation, Protection and Management in Panama: Assessment and Recommendations.”
The assessment summarized information available on the biological, forest and water resources in Panama, the status of those resources and known pressures impacting them. It includes the actions and potential actions of the overall Mission Program – not just environment programs – including development plans designed by government institutions in which the Mission works. The assessment provided a list of species and ways to prioritize eco-regions and watersheds in order to determine common conservation challenges affecting them.
PANAMA
Evaluation of USAID MARENA Natural Resources Management (NRM) Project
Reviewed and analyzed the effectiveness of the national system of protected areas in Panama.
The evaluation included the assessment of the operations of a trust fund. The results of agroforestry and re-forestation field projects were analyzed. Activities to strengthen natural resources management and conservation, and NGO-capacity building were assessed. And, the functioning of national government institutions responsible for forestry, protected areas and environmental assessments were reviewed.