Ex-post Evaluation

1. Outline of the Project

Country:

Brazil

Project title:

Country-focused Group Training Course on Environmental Protection in Brazil (Waste Treatment)

Issue/Sector:

Environment

Cooperation scheme:

Country-focused Group Training

Division in charge:

JICA Kyusyu International Centre

Total cost:

Period of Cooperation

FY 1993 – FY 1997

Partner Country’s Implementing Organization:

Supporting Organization in Japan:

Kitakyushu International Techno-cooperative Association

Related Cooperation:

1-1 Background of the Project

In Brazil, environmental issues are considerably affecting the life of the people directly and indirectly, as the population increases and the economy develops. Appropriate treatment of wastes from households and industries becomes an important environmental challenge. In the 1950s-1960s, the Kitakyushu industrial area, one of typical industrial belts in Japan, experienced serious environmental destruction but overcame it through various efforts. Therefore, in order to utilize their accumulated knowledge and technologies to settle the problems in Brazil, the Brazilian government requested Japan to carry out Country-focused Training.

1-2 Project Overview

JICA implemented training to the Brazilian waste disposal technicians and administrative officers, in order to transfer the knowledge of waste disposal administration as well as the technology of reclamation, waste treatment, excretion treatment, and industrial waste treatment.

(1) Overall Goal
1) Participants acquire knowledge and techniques through training, and utilize these in Brazil.
2) Mutual understanding between Brazil and Japan become deeper.

(2) Project Purpose
1) Participants understand the Japanese experience and technologies of waste disposal, and are able to suggest how to utilize these to solve issues in Brazil.
2) Participants become friendly to Japan.

(3) Outputs
1) Participants accumulate basic knowledge related to waste disposal technologies.
2) Participants acquire practical skills related to waste disposal technologies.
3) Participants recognize knowledge capable of being used in waste disposal field in Brazil.
4) Participants understand Japan deeper.

(4) Inputs

Japanese side:

Training Expenses

2. Evaluation Team

Members of Evaluation Team

JICA Brazil Office
(Local Consultant: Mr. Hideo Kawai)

Period of Evaluation

15 January 2002 – 14 March 2002

Type of Evaluation:

Ex-post Evaluation by Overseas Offices

3. Results of Evaluation

3-1 Summary of Evaluation Results

(1) Relevance
In Brazil, waste disposal is a major issue in the metropolitan areas including Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro as well as in small- and medium-sized cities. According to the Urban Development Agency having jurisdiction of waste disposal measures at the federal level under the direct control of the President's Office, only about 80 percent of local municipalities across Brazil collect household garbage, and only about 10 percent treat wastes. Because of the high demand in Brazil and the possibility of utilizing Japanese experience and technologies effectively in this field, it can be judged that implementation of this project was appropriate.

But, because all training participants were not engaged in the same field, the content of the training did not perfectly meet all participants' needs.

(2) Effectiveness
According to the questionnaire polling former participants' (21 out of 32 participants responded) about lectures and educational materials of the Training, all of them answered, “I understood everything” or “I understood almost everything” (89% and 11%). Therefore, it can be judged that Japanese experience and technologies in this field could be transferred. Also, 79 percent of the ex-participants said that they used the acquired knowledge and techniques in their work after returning home, and 16 percent said that they made reasonable use of the knowledge and techniques acquired, suggesting that project proposals were created based on the training impacts.

In addition, regarding one of the project purposes - participants would deepen understanding of Japan- the questionnaire showed that almost all ex-participants returned home with a favorable impression of Japan and Japanese society in spite of the short period of stay.

(3) Efficiency
According to the questionnaire conducted just after the training, 95 percent of ex-participants evaluated as "good" or "extremely good” the lecturers' presentations, leadership and materials, facilities, maintenance and training management. Also, 85 percent evaluated as "reasonable" the training level and period. On the other hand, lectures raised the issue of selection criteria for participants since some of them lacked language skills and some demonstrated bad behavior during lectures.

(4) Impact
Only a few projects suggested by ex-participants after returning home was materialized, such as the recycling project by a local municipality, and preparation of technical rules related to discarded lead in batteries. Suggestions to activities and proposals for improvement in environmental waste disposal field are conducted, but most of them have not come into practical use yet.

(5) Sustainability
As ways of utilizing the knowledge and techniques acquired in the training, the questionnaire to former participants showed promotion of activities in their work sites, such as improvement of traditional operating ways, suggestions to settle environmental waste issues in communities, and proposal of new projects. The acquired information is also reported in the meetings in their organizations, seminars in communities and academic conferences. Therefore, it can be judged that former participants who remained the same position utilize the acquired knowledge and skills continuously, although some of the ex-participants have left their jobs or been reassigned to other divisions.

3-2 Factors that promoted realization of effects

(1) Factors concerning Planning
N/A

(2) Factors concerning the Implementation Process
N/A

3-3 Factors that impeded realization of effects

(1) Factors concerning Planning
N/A

(2) Factors concerning the Implementation Process
Since participants were not carefully selected as to whether they met Training requirements, some participants complained of the language difficulty, and the lack of explanation and time in the lecture sessions. In addition, even if participants who acquired knowledge make useful proposals in their work, their opinions are not always paid attention to by the bureaucracy.

3-4 Conclusion

In Brazil, the demand for waste disposal measures is high in metropolitan areas including Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, as well as in small and middle cities. According to the questionnaire to former participants, it can be judged that the content of this project was appropriate, and they proposed specific projects based on the results of the training after returning home.

On the other hand, while the acquired information is utilized continuously through the meetings in their organizations, seminars in communities and academic conferences, only a few proposals using them have come into practical use. From this point, it is considered that learned knowledge and techniques of participants have not been utilized fully in a practical phase.

3-5 Recommendations (specific measures, proposals and advice for this project)

(1) It is necessary to explain the importance of the training sufficiently to the top management in the organization in order to use participant’s acquired knowledge fully in performing operation in their organizations after the training implementation,
(2) Kitakyushu International Techno-cooperative Association, the organizer of this training, has a certain follow-up system using e-mail for former participants but this is not known by all ex-participants. In order to maintain impacts of training, the Association should make this system known to all of participants.

3-6 Lessons Learned (matters which are helpful to identification/creation, implementation and management control of other similar projects)

(1) To make training more effective, it is necessary to select participants who have certain language skills (English), knowledge in a technical area, and enthusiasm.
(2) To allow participants to participate in training which meets their needs, the objectives and subjects of training courses should be fully explained to participants.