Program Highlights -- 1997

The BCN program consists of five components (Program Overview). In the past, we reviewed activities under each of these components. This year's highlights are only focused on the Analysis (D) and Communications components (E) and do not address components A through C.

D. Collect Data and Analyze Results

The fourth component of BCN activities involves analyzing the results in conjunction with both grantees and other groups involved in similar efforts. Highlights include:

• In depth Enterprise Data Collected at most sites and for most businesses. All BCN-supported businesses have kept records of their revenues. However, many have not kept adequate accounts for their costs, especially those related to overhead and other fixed costs. Over the past year, staff have begun to systematically collect this information from projects. This issue of enterprises not adequately accounting for costs is discussed in greater detail in Chapter 3 of the report.

• Impact Indicators Developed with USAID Global Bureau. USAID and its implementing partners developed a series of indicators to track the impacts of its conservation investments. BCN Staff submitted final projections for 1997 during April, 1997. Preliminary analysis of the results for 1997 have been completed and BCN Projects have met or exceeded all targets. A full indicator report will be completed by December 15, 1997 that will contain actual results for 1997 and projected results for 1998. This report will be available upon request.

• Analytical Framework Finalized. BCN staff have finalized the analytical framework. The analysis of the BCN projects will include various types of quantitative and qualitative analyses, case studies, and thematic studies. A variety of analytical approaches have been developed to suit various audiences. The analytical framework will be available during December, 1997.

• Analysis of Field Stories Completed. The first application of BCN's Analytical Framework was completed by applying it to the stories received for this Annual report. Please refer to Section 2.1.

E. Communicate Results to Clients

The fifth and final component of BCN activities involves communicating the results of the BCN program to various clients¹. This information is being used to generate impacts that reach beyond local project sites and that are stimulating community and national awareness of the benefits of conserving biodiversity. BCN-funded projects are stimulating wide-ranging transformations in conservation efforts and policies in both the Asia/Pacific Region and the United States. Highlights include:

• Policy impacts at All 20 Sites Documented.
  The USAID Indicators include a strategic level indicator on policy impacts at the local, regional, and national levels. Over the past year staff have been able to document policy impacts at all sites. These range from decisions to curtail certain local fishing practices at the Bioprospecting in Fiji [#20] project to national export license policies for butterflies in Indonesia at the Honey, Butterflies, and Rafting in Indonesia [#9] project. A summary of all of the policy impacts by BCN grantees will be available after December 15, 1997.

• BCNet Web Site Launched. On October 15, 1997 the BCN launched its own site on the World Wide Web at www.BCNet.org. The purposes of the web site are to get the word out on what we've have reamed about enterprise-based approaches to conservation in a broad and cost-effective manner and to create a medium for dialogue on conservation issues related to business. Please see the box below for more information on the web site.

• "Measures of Success" Completed.
  BCN is pleased to announce that the Biodiversity Support Program and Island Press will be publishing Measures of Success: Designing, Managing, and Monitoring Conservation and Development Projects in early 1998. This publication was written by BCN's Nick Salafsky and BSP Analytical Program Director Richard Margoluis. Please see the box below for more information about Measures.

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¹BCN uses the term "client" as opposed to "audience" to denote its commitments to:1) find out what information these groups need, 2) provide this information to them in a proactive as opposed to passive manner, and 3) interact with them on a sustained basis to improve the utility of the information over time

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