Evaluation of the non-governmental organizations component of the Family Planning Services Project: USAID/Bangladesh.

This document summarizes the findings of a review of the nongovernmental organization (NGO) component of Bangladeshs Family Planning Services Project. The initial focus of the NGO program effort was to replicate and expand existing project models primarily community-based distribution and clinical services for voluntary sterilization. The focus later shifted to consolidation and improvement of existing programs expansion to rural areas and improvement of management evaluation and training. Actual outputs attributable to NGO efforts were found difficult to measure due to differences in definitions of terms and in reporting systems. NGO activities have focused on urban areas and there appears to be both a lack of coverage and overlap in some areas. Now that almost 90 subprojects are being carried out in 300 sites management issues have attained a new level of importance. Extended programming cycles and consolidation of subproject activities are recommended. NGO cooperating agencies are urged to take steps to use management information systems to identify excess capacity and ensure efficient use of funds. Also needed is standardization and simplification to allow greater comparability between agency programs. Insufficient attention is being given to documenting the results of NGO activities. The 4 major recommendations to emerge from this review were: 1) USAID should continue to support the family planning activities of the NGOs; 2) NGO agencies should pursue a shift in emphasis from the proliferation of small subprojects to the strengthening of central support systems; 3) USAID should explore funding to reactivate the Family Planning Council of Voluntary Organizations; and 4) a forum for regular discussion debate and exchange of information on NGO projects should be established.