Innovation needs champions. Effective champions are critical for the success of any new initiative. This is even more true for innovative projects, where strong commitment to the project on the part of both the government and ADB are critical to success. The failure to locate the DEMP within a government agency with strong ownership of the project was one of the factors that led ultimately to its failure. The sustainability of initiatives beyond the lifetime of the project rests heavily on the commitment and support provided by the relevant ministry, in the form of formal institutionalization of systems and processes, further training, and regular follow up by relevant staff. Similarly, the failure of ADB to adequately invest time and resources in project implementation, and the failure to remain involved in ensuring network sustainability in the years after the project ended, when its fate remained in limbo, also contributed to the project’s limited success.
Distance Education Modernization Project