Evaluation of CIDA's Regional Inter-American Program from 2004-2005 to 2009-2010

The evaluation assessed the overall performance and results of CIDA's Regional Inter-American Program (IAP) over the period 2004-2005 to 2009-2010, during which it focused on the areas of health, private sector development and governance, and disbursed $242.5 million.

IAP's overall performance was judged to be positive. All projects examined were linked to key high-level priorities agreed to by countries at the Summits of the Americas. IAP's key regional partners, namely the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) and Organization of American States (OAS), helped to provide continuity in addressing these high-level priorities.

Examples of results that helped improve the livelihoods of the poor included: eliminating rubella in the Americas, interrupting vector transmission for Chagas disease in parts of Peru, increasing micronutrient concentration in target crops, marketing bio-fortified food products, and strengthening corporate social responsibility among the region's petroleum companies. Canada, through IAP, was also found to have championed aid effectiveness principles with PAHO and OAS.

To guide future programming, the evaluation recommended that IAP intensify its information/coordination role, strengthen integration of gender equality and environment, and invest in regional/sub-regional programming and performance management (including spelling out clear expectations during up-front negotiations of funding agreements with grant recipients).

IAP responded with concrete actions and timelines to address these recommendations. The Evaluation Report and Management Response were approved by the President in October 2011 following adjustments proposed by the Evaluation Committee at its meeting of July 14, 2011.