IPOPICORM |

This external review of the Integrated Population and Coastal Resource Management (IPOPCORM) project strategy and program accomplishments recommends to the funders, Packard Foundation and USAID, is to provide sufficient funding for a two year extension to strengthen further what is in place, maximize the utility of its accomplishments, and work toward sustainability of project results. Key findings include: no apparent "downside" to the CRM/RH strategy; progress made with CRM at the community level such as changes in attitudes and illegal fishing practices, destruction of mangrove forests, disposal of wastes. The IPOPCORM strategy lends sustainability to CRM interventions, and CRM provides a comprehensible context for coastal residents to recognize the necessity of limiting family size to achieve food security and improve their family’s welfare. The ability to communicate reproductive health information to rural youths; increased family planning use, pregnancies decreased. Successful approaches include: the use of adult and youth peer educators, community based distribution of FP commodities. A similar strategy that links reproductive health to inland and upland natural resource bases could be equally as effective. Capacity building at the local level in government, partner NGOs, and Peoples Organizations to support and expand CRM and RH activities. enabling them to better manage their local natural resources, as well as to become effective advocates of RH. Capacity development is very likely to be one of the most important and lasting results of the project; building partnerships between local government and IPOPCORM's partner NGOs.