Changes Needed To Forge an Effective Relationship Between AID and Voluntary Agencies
ID-82-25
Published: May 27, 1982. Publicly Released: May 27, 1982.
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Highlights
Congress has repeatedly expressed concern over the Agency for International Development's (AID) implementation of congressional policy to expand cooperation with Private and Voluntary Organizations (PVO). GAO undertook a review of the role of PVO in the development of international assistance programs, focusing on: (1) the function and effectiveness of PVO; (2) what the proper structure of the relations between PVO and AID should be; and (3) how much emphasis should be placed on PVO.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Agency for International Development | The Administrator, AID, should direct that Bureau for Food for Peace and Voluntary Assistance information and mission experience be used to evaluate PVO implementation skills during the project approval process. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| U.S. Agency for International Development | The Administrator, AID, should direct AID missions to formally consult with knowledgeable PVO officials in-country about development needs and local conditions in preparation of the country development strategy statement. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| U.S. Agency for International Development | The Administrator, AID, should increase the use of co-financing as a method of mission funding for PVO projects. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| U.S. Agency for International Development | The Administrator, AID, should define specific criteria for determining PVO track records and limit matching grants to PVO with demonstrated development programs. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| U.S. Agency for International Development | The Administrator, AID, should improve the information that missions receive about Bureau for Food for Peace and Voluntary Assistance grants, so that the missions can be better prepared to answer inquiries about such grants. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| U.S. Agency for International Development | The Administrator, AID, should assess, in cooperation with PVO, the effectiveness of the Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid prior to fiscal year 1984. |
Closed – Not Implemented
AID has not assessed the committee's effectiveness and has no plans to do so. However, it has taken actions aimed at improving committee effectiveness, such as expanding committee membership, restructuring subcommittees to allow for more substantive work, and strengthening coordination with AID.
|
| U.S. Agency for International Development | The Administrator, AID, should clarify the objectives behind support to PVO and the role of U.S. and indigenous PVO in meeting these objectives. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| U.S. Agency for International Development | The Administrator, AID, should give priority to PVO programs in which the PVO matches AID contributions. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
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Topics
Agency missionsDeveloping countriesForeign aid programsGrant administrationPolicy evaluationProgram evaluationVolunteer servicesCommunity developmentTeachersForeign assistance