Nicaragua
Latin America and Caribbean
Evaluation Report
2016
Nicaragua
Latin America and Caribbean
Case Study
2016
As part of the external evaluation of the Civil Society Education Fund (CSEF) (2013-15) requested by the Global Campaign for Education, the Institute for Development Impact (I4DI) conducted seven country case studies. The evaluation aimed to contribute to GCE’s ability to respond to challenges and objectives by identifying the emerging impact of the CSEF programme, provide evidence of the effectiveness of its design and implementation model, and derive learning from implemented processes and structures to influence and strengthen future programming.
The Nicaragua Case Study was conducted by field visit with the Forum on Education and Human Development of the Initiative for Nicaragua (FEDH-IPN). The I4DI consultant conducted individual interviews and focus group discussions with coalition members, Board members, the Secretariat’s core team, legislative and executive representatives of the Government of Nicaragua (GON), and local government officials.
This infographic analyzes the consequences of USAID’s 2023–2024 restructuring, which led to the termination of 5,341 projects and the defunding of 2,353 implementing partners, many of whom lost 100% of their USAID support. Over 55% of recipient countries lost all funding. The analysis extends beyond the U.S. to consider concurrent budget contractions by other donor countries, indicating a systemic shift in how foreign aid is prioritized and delivered. The infographic visualizes these changes, offering insights into the scale, distribution, and potential implications of a more constrained and transactional development aid environment.
This article examines the Trump administration’s proposed restructuring of U.S. foreign assistance, which seeks to streamline agencies and align aid with investment-driven growth. The plan introduces promising steps to improve efficiency and expand opportunities for U.S. businesses abroad. However, the transition also brings important considerations, such as ensuring continued access to technical expertise, maintaining regional flexibility, and supporting financing tools that encourage investment in higher-risk markets. The piece outlines ways to maximize the benefits of these reforms while addressing potential challenges to ensure the new structure drives sustainable growth and impact.
