Evaluation of CIDA's Peru Program from 2005 to 2010

In the past forty years, Canadian development assistance in Peru has evolved from a diversified approach to a more focused approach, targeting key sectors in support of the country's national poverty-reduction efforts. Between fiscal years 2005-2006 and 2009-2010, CIDA disbursed a total of $172 million to Peru.

Why conduct this evaluation?

The purpose of this evaluation was to assess the performance and results achieved through CIDA's three delivery channels (geographic, partnerships with Canadians and multilateral and global programs) in Peru between 2005 and 2010. The evaluation focused on a sample of 27 projects in Peru, with a total disbursement of $88 million.

CIDA's Peru program was rated as highly satisfactory. The evaluation found that CIDA's decentralization process contributed to this result.

What did the evaluation find?

• Education — CIDA's Peru program made significant progress in education despite the continuing weakness of public institutions, particularly in rural areas. CIDA helped improve the quality of, and access to, education, and strengthened management and administrative capacities. For example, a rural education model developed through the program led to impressive learning improvements in reading and writing for primary school children. However, the results were less satisfactory for early childhood development training.
• Governance — The program contributed to increased respect for democratic principles, as well as improved accountability and transparency in government and in strategic sectors. For example, the Ombudsman's office was strengthened and 28 regional offices developed to help citizens access services. There is still room for improvement in CIDA's governance programming, particularly with respect to policy dialogue and private sector development.
• Private Sector Development — The program contributed to improved management of the mining and hydrocarbon industries in Peru and increased transparency. It also explored mechanisms for conflict resolution among stakeholders.
• Gender Equality — The program succeeded in reducing gender inequality in education and improving women's capacity for participation in local government decision making and planning. Improvements are still needed in reducing violence against women and increasing their participation in the extractive sector.
• Humanitarian Assistance — The program was effective in providing services to the most vulnerable people. It contributed to improved institutional capacities of community organizations and several regional authorities and of the management of municipal water and sanitation services. It also helped create a culture of preparedness and risk prevention. However, issues such as revenue and tax distribution, as well as royalty-sharing arrangements among private companies, the national government, and regional authorities are still problems.
• Environment — As a result of CIDA's strategic environmental integration planning, the program helped improve regulatory frameworks in the public and extractive sectors, supported advocacy campaigns on environmental protection, and promoted environmental sustainability. However, the environment was not adequately addressed in the education sector, and the entire program would benefit from further steps to enhance environmental considerations.

There is still room for improvement in CIDA's governance programming in Peru, particularly with respect to policy dialogue and private sector development.

What is next for the Peru Program?

The program plans to:

• pursue interventions that strengthen regional and local governments
• develop strategies with other stakeholders to sustain the results and benefits of its interventions in decentralization and governance
• enhance its results-oriented performance management tools and methods.