Seven civil society organizations will receive $7 million to execute projects that will benefit low- income communities and vulnerable groups in Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala, Guyana, Nicaragua, Paraguay and Peru
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) announced the results of the Call for Proposals for Civil Society Projects that support low-income communities and vulnerable groups, funded through the IDB-managed Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction Program.
The seven winning civil society organizations (CSOs) will execute projects in Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala, Guyana, Nicaragua, Paraguay and Peru with a combined amount of $7 million.
“The Bank proactively seeks ways to engage with civil society in the region. This Call for Proposals is an important achievement to support the operational work of civil society organizations at the local level in vulnerable communities and, as a result, strengthen the IDB’s partnership with such organizations,” said Roberto Vellutini, Vice President for Countries at the IDB.
“This is the first time for Japanese Trust Funds at the IDB to go through a Call for Proposals and I am very pleased with seeing many projects submitted and all of the winners’ projects are innovative and promising. I’m sure that these projects will definitely contribute to poverty reduction in the region, with the competence of the selected CSOs,” said Yasuhiro Atsumi, IDB Executive Director for Japan.
The Bank received 1,885 proposals from 26 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean and carried out a thorough evaluation process. The final selection was made by the government of Japan.
The organizations and winning proposals are:
- Fundación Colonia Pirai (Bolivia, $1,342,212). The Foundation’s project will contribute to the modernization of the Advanced School of Agriculture of Colonia Pirai in Santa Cruz, and increase its educational capacity for the benefit of rural and indigenous students.
- Progresar Fundación Centro de Educación Especial (Colombia, $300,000). The project, Supporting Productive Talents and Skills, will support the development and training of children, youth, and adults with disabilities in the city of Cali, so that they may play a more active role in their communities, schools, and homes.
- Plan International, Inc. Foster Parents Plan International - Plan Guatemala (Guatemala, $1,499,500). Their project to Improve Nutrition and Food Security for Vulnerable Populations will contribute to the reduction of food and nutritional insecurity for children and women from 1,925 families in 77 communities in the Department of Baja Verapaz.
- Partners of the Americas, Guyana Chapter (Guyana, $1,161,000). Their project Development of Sustainable Communities Through the Hydroponic Production of Organic Vegetables will provide opportunities to low-income households to become self-employed entrepreneurs in organic hydroponic farming.
- Fundación Nicaragua Nuestra (Nicaragua, $340,960). The project Working Together for a Dignified and Productive Life will help increase citizen security levels by integrating at-risk youth through activities that will strengthen their community.
- Fundación Comunitaria Centro de Información y Recursos para el Desarrollo (Paraguay, $1,477,952). The project Community-Based System for Pregnant Women and Newborn Healthcare will help in the effort to improve maternal and infant health conditions in the Department of Caazapá through the installation of a local system to extend access to government healthcare facilities.
- Asociación Civil Neoandina (Perú, $842,154). The project Strengthening Community and District Management to Improve Health and Food Security will strengthen the health management and food security capacities of families, communities, and institutions in order to improve the healthcare of pregnant women and children in the district of Jangas in Huaraz.
The IDB thanks all of the organizations that submitted proposals. Civil society organizations are a key partner in the reduction of poverty and the socio-economic development of Latin America and the Caribbean.
The IDB works directly with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) through participation in consultations, dialogue, and the execution of projects with social impact. In this sense, the CSOs have significantly contributed to the work of the IDB through their technical capacity and in-depth community reach.
Japan Special Fund Reduction Poverty Program
The Japanese Trust Funds are the result of cooperation and joint-contributions from the IDB and Japan for the development of Latin America and the Caribbean. The Community Development Program of the Japan Special Fund Poverty Reduction is focused on the implementation of community development programs in various sectors such as health, education, urban and rural development.