GUIDELINES FOR PROJECT EVALUATION

* Ensure that our project application form is as detailed as possible.
  (when we adapted the NYC/NJ form, did we cut some things out?  would it
   be better to leave them in there?)

* Project evaluation should be a 2-step process:
  - individual screening (to determine if a project is within the scope of
    Asha's objectives).
  - group voting (to determine relative merit between several projects).

* When a project proposal is first received, it should be evaluated
  against a set of "project screening guidelines".  This should be done by
  the contact person for the project and one of the project group
  coordinators.  The screening guidelines are a set of questions with
  yes/no answers.  The project is to be considered only if it satisfies a
  majority of the screening criteria.

* Project screening guidelines:
  These have to be further refined (a preliminary set listed below).  It
  would be a good exercise to consider past projects funded and see how
  they measure up against these guidelines.  We also need to stress
  whether these guidelines should apply to what we are funding within a
  project rather than the overall project.
  - is target age group 8-14?
  - is project geographically located in an affluent locality?
  - does it focus on basic education/reading/writing/critical thinking
    abilities?
  - is there any political/religious/caste-based/sex-based
    discrimination?

* A project that has passed screening has 2 primary reviewers assigned to
  it.  They are responsible for in-depth study of the project.

* It is suggested that we consider a maximum of 5 projects at a time
  (after screening).  This is based on the assumption that projects that
  pass screening are basically good and deserve funding.  If we consider
  too many projects amongst which to decide, it is likely to delay the
  process.

* We have 2-3 project group meetings discussing the merits of the projects
  being considered.  We maintain web pages for each project, and keep a
  summary of the discussion for each project on its web page.

* Finally we vote online using "Voting criteria" similar to the ones we
  currently have (based on a x-point scale).  If the project has been
  introduced by an Asha-U-C volunteer based on direct contact, we request
  that this member abstain from voting for that particular project.

* The online voting should be set up so that before you reach the voting
  page, you have to traverse the web pages for all the projects being
  considered.  We hope this will ensure that people voting will be
  properly informed about the merits/demerits of the projects before they
  cast their vote.

* We drop the highest and lowest vote for each project to avoid skewing.

* Based on the rankings, we decide on a break-up of our available funds
  amongst the top projects.  We try to do this by consensus in a projects
  group meeting. In case of ambiguity, we leave it to the Asha focus group
  coordinators+President+Treasurer to reach a decision amongst themselves.
  This is suggested considering the fact that coordinators are more likely
  to be well-informed of overall Asha policies/spirit/discussions.

* We encourage more people to participate in the voting process.

* We encourage all members to do site visits when they go to India.  This
  need not be for Asha-U-C funded projects only.  This has the
  benefit of giving volunteers a better perspective at the ground level
  and experiences to compare against in the future.  Also, more personal
  interaction between projects and volunteers is a good thing overall.


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Last updated on 1st Dec,2001