While it may still be premature to label CEP a success, the project has certainly made great progress and reached many people. As of March 2001, the first cycle of grants has been completed and it has helped set up more than 400 village development councils in all districts, funding over 500 sub-projects chosen by the communities themselves. Under the second cycle of grants, disbursement has reached 50 percent. The project seeks to involve communities by sending funds directly to local governments, and to empower village councils and sub-district development forums. Whatever the choice, the project beneficiaries have a personal stake in the outcome.
Transparency lies at the heart of the project.
All financial transactions take place in public places, and virtually all KDP information made public. The first customers for all project audits, monitoring and reviews are the villagers themselves. The project is monitored by independent regional NGOs and by Indonesian journalists, all of whom share their findings openly with no prior review. The Indonesian government endorses the project's transparency. Though it is too soon to gauge the project's long-term impact on poverty, its outputs are significant.