Abstract
Final external evaluation of a program to improve the delivery of social services in Albania. No time frame is indicated. Mercy Corps International served as the prime implementing agency. Program objectives were pursued by providing targeted support to local and international partner NGOs for projects to: (1) improve the infrastructure and resources of health and education facilities; (2) strengthen community involvement and capacity through participation and leadership development; and (3) improve knowledge and practices. Success was achieved in all three areas. Infrastructure was significantly improved by rehabilitation activities, and additional resources are now available at all targeted sites. Significantly, improvements to physical infrastructure allow education and health staff to begin focusing on other issues, such as service provision and quality of services. Community involvement was stimulated in all projects, although the extent and types of involvement varied between NGO partners. The effects of training cannot be fully evaluated at this time, although those interviewed indicated that they found training, especially in refreshing knowledge and skills, useful. Most indicated that they use or plan to use the skills learned and continue to use training materials for reference purposes. Also, local NGOs received intensive TA and reflected clear improvements in organizational capacity and ability to efficiently and transparently manage donor funds. Both local and international partner projects achieved visible results. The concluding section of the report examines overall trends and continuing needs and constraints and provides observations about differences in rural versus urban settings for similar projects, as well as about local NGO experiences versus those of international partners.