Presbyterian World Service & Development has a new long-term agreement with the Canadian International Development Agency that will increase its funding for development programs by 15 per cent.
According to Guy Smagghe, PWS&D's government relations officer, CIDA accepted PWS&D's proposal because the new program is focused on fewer partners in fewer countries and has fewer goals and objectives than the previous ones. This concentration allows for a closer relationship with partners, with more time, money and energy directed where they can have a greater impact.
The new CIDA program will focus on programs in Tanzania, Malawi, India, El Salvador and Nicaragua. The program includes work on sustainable agriculture, clean water, empowerment of women, HIV/AIDS, protection of vulnerable children, income generation and community health.
The new five-year agreement (up from the traditional three-year arrangement) increases CIDA's contribution from $398,000 to $458,000 per year.
PWS&D recently underwent a rigorous audit of its spending practices, program funding and overall operations for its 2003-2006 CIDA program. Performed by CIDA, the results of the evaluation were positive. Ursula Mount evaluated the effectiveness of the program.
“The organizational efficiency and effectiveness of PWS&D has been maintained at a high level,” stated Mount in her report. “A real effort is made to deliver a logical, well structured and well balanced international development program in the developing countries, as well as an effective education program in Canada. The dedicated staff and committee members and their continuing efforts and personal commitments give PWS&D direction in their implementation and support of projects that can transform the lives of a reasonable measured number of the poor, ill and underprivileged men, women, adolescents and children.”
