ERIC ED465488: Building Democracy from the Grassroots. Inter-American Foundation: 2001 in Review, October 1, 2000 to September 30, 2001.

58 Pages·2001·3.2 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
RC 023 553
ED 465 488
Durbin, Paula, Ed.
AUTHOR
Building Democracy from the Grassroots. Inter-American
TITLE
Foundation: 2001 in Review, October 1, 2000 to September 30,
2001.
INSTITUTION Inter-American Foundation, Arlington, VA.
PUB DATE
2.001-00-00
57p.; Photographs may not reproduce adequately. For 2000
NOTE
review, see ED 458 066.
AVAILABLE FROM
For full text:
http://www.iaf.gov/publications/Annual_Report/2001_1_en/2001
YIR-eng.pdf.
PUB TYPE Descriptive (141)
Reports
MF01/PC03 Plus Postage.
EDRS PRICE
Adult Farmer Education; American Indian Education; Annual
DESCRIPTORS
Reports; *Community Development; Cooperative Programs;
Democracy; *Economic Development; Foreign Countries;
*Grants; Indigenous Populations; *Nongovernmental
Organizations; Program Descriptions; Rural Development;
Technical Assistance; Training; Vocational Education; Womens
Education
Caribbean; *Inter American Foundation; International Aid;
IDENTIFIERS
*Latin America
ABSTRACT
The Inter-American Foundation (IAF), an independent agency
of the U.S. government, funds innovative, participatory, and sustainable
self-help development projects proposed and managed by grassroots groups and
supportive organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean. IAF also
encourages partnerships among community organizations, businesses, and local
governments, directed at improving the quality of life for poor people and
strengthening democratic processes. This annual report for 2001 describes
IAF's grantmaking, evaluation, and dissemination activities and the July 16th
forum "Building Democracy from the Grassroots," organized by IAF and a unit
of the Organization for American States. The forum brought together policy
makers and development practitioners to discuss the proposition that a
democracy must be built from the bottom up. In 2001, IAF awarded 43 new
grants and 27 supplemental grants in 15 countries, totalling about $13.9
million. Funding was distributed among five program areas: enterprise
development and management, agriculture and food production, education and
training, community services, and ecodevelopment. Many projects involved
indigenous communities or focused on women's education and self-employment.
Educational activities included entrepreneurship training, community-based
literacy education and life-skills training, training in business and
marketing, electrification and facilities improvethent in rural schools,
community leadership training, and agricultural and vocational education for
adults and youth.
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U S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Educational Research and Improvement
EDUcATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION
CENTER (ER10)
This document has been reproduced as
received from the person or organization
originating it
BEST COPY AVAILABLE
0 Minor changes have been made to improve
reproduction quality
Points of view or opinions stated in this docu
ment do not necessanly represent official
OERI position or policy
2
Contents
Board of Directors and Advisoiy Council
4.
Foundation Staff
5
Message from the Chair
6
President's Report
7
Program Review
9
Foundation Program Profile
11
Financial and Statistical Report
12
Country Reports
Argentina
13
Bolivia
15
Brazil
17
Costa Rica
20
Dominican Republic
21
Ecuador
23
El Salvador
27
Guatemala
30
Haiti
33
Honduras
35
Mexico
36
Nicaragua
41
Panama
43
Peru
45
Venezuela
48
Latin America (Regional)
49
Office of Evaluation and Dissemination
50
Mariano Curicama, center in blue, and the Comité de
Cover:
Desarrollo Local de Guamote conduct an outdoor town meeting
on the management of forest resources in Chimborazo, Ecuador.
For more on the IAF's funding in Chimborazo, see page 25.
(Photo: Courtesy of the Comité and Carlos Criollo)
An unidentified folk artist's rendering of a town meeting in
Back:
Chimborazo. (Photo: Mark Caceido)
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October 1, 2000 to September 30, 20011
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Photo: Jim Adriance
This annual report is dedicated to the memory of
Tyrone Broadus,
our friend and colleague.
1948-2001
2001 in Review
Inter-American Foundation
he Inter-American Foundation (IAF) is an independent foreign assistance agency of the
United States government that provides grants to grassroots organizations in Latin America
and the Caribbean. Created in 1969 as an experimental program, the IAF responds to inno-
vative, participatory and sustainable self-help development projects proposed by grassroots groups
and organizations that support them. It also encourages partnerships among community organiza-
tions, businesses and local governments, directed at improving the quality of life for poor people
and strengthening democratic practices. To contribute to a better understanding of the develop-
ment process, the IAF shares its experiences and the lessons it has learned.
The Inter-American Foundation is governed by a nine-person board of directors appointed
by the president of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Six members are drawn
from the private sector and three from the federal government. The board is assisted by an advi-
sory council. A president, appointed by the board, serves as the Inter-American Foundation's chief
executive officer, managing a staff of 42 employees based in Arlington, Virginia.
Congress appropriates funds annually for the Inter-American Foundation. The IAF also
has access to the Social Progress Trust Fund administered by the Inter-American Development
Bank and consisting of payments on U.S. government loans extended under the Alliance for
Progress to various Latin American and Caribbean governments. Since 1972, the IAF has made
4,348 grants for more than $528 million. Together, the IAF and its grantees have created cost-
effective models of social and economic development which have often been replicated by
government and larger donor agencies to better the conditions of hundreds of thousands of
poor families in communities throughout the hemisphere.
3
2001 in Review
Board if Dkrectom and
Advisory Cenci
Board of Directors
Advisory Council
Frank Yturria, Chair
Francisco Aguirre-Baca
Founding Director, Editor, Publisher
Yturria Ranch Enterprises
Brownsville, Texas
Diario las Americas
Washington, D.C.
Patricia Hill Williams, Vice Chair
Vice President, External Affairs
Rita DiMartino
State University of New York at Farmingdale
Vice President, Congressional Relations
Farmingdale, New York
AT&T
Washington, D.C.
Kay K. Arnold
John C. Duncan
Vice President, System Government Affairs
Entergy Corporation
Director
Little Rock, Arkansas
South American Gold & Copper, Inc.
New York, New York
Fred P. DuVal
Senior Managing Director
James R. Jones
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
Hill & Knowlton
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Anita Perez Ferguson
Steve Knaebel
Proprietor
President
Luz Publications
Cummins, S. de R. L. de C. V.
Santa Barbara, California
Mexico D.F., Mexico
Douglas Patifio
President
The Patifio Group
Long Beach, California
Susan Kaufman Purcell
Vice President
Americas Society
New York, New York
Deanna Rodriguez
Vice President, Corporate Contributions
Entergy Corporation
Little Rock, Arkansas
Al Zapanta
President and Chief Executive Officer
US-Mexico Chamber of Commerce
Washington, D.C.
4
2001 in Review
Foundon &aff*
Jill Wheeler, Foundation Representative, Mexico
Office of the President
Melodie Moore, Program Staff Assistant
David Valenzuela, President
Alexis Smith, Program Staff Assistant
Betty Davis, Executive Assistant
Eduardo RodrIguez-Frias, Program Staff Assistant
Patrick Breslin, Director, External Affairs
Arnie Garza, Auditor
Office for South America
Walter Price, Regional Director
Office of the General Counsel
Andra Jones, Foundation Representative,
Carolyn Karr, General Counsel
Argentina, Paraguay and Venezuela
Margarita Guerra, Paralegal Specialist
Chris Krueger, Foundation Representative, Bolivia
and Peru
Office of Personnel Liaison and ADP
Judith Morrison, Foundation Representative,
Pam Palma, Management Analyst
Brazil and Colombia
Eric Nystrom, Computer Specialist
Wilbur Wright, Foundation Representative,
Tyrone Broadus, Staff Assistant
Ecuador and Peru
DeShonte Clemons, Office Assistant
Monica Radwan, Program Staff Assistant
Office of Financial Management Systems
Office of Evaluation and Dissemination
Joyce Chisley, Budget Officer
Emilia Rodriguez-Stein, Director
Robert Freeman, Fiscal Specialist
Miguel Cuevas, Research and Evaluation
Specialist
Office of Programs
John Reed, Research and Evaluation Specialist
Linda Borst, Vice President for Programs
Paula Durbin, Dissemination Officer
Ana Savage, Central Program Coordinator
Heidi Smith, Dissemination Officer
Leyda Appel, Translator
Hussain Muhammad, Office Assistant
Mark Caicedo, Grants Management Specialist
Office for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean
Ronald Arms, Regional Director
Blanca Striirez-Torres, Grants Program
Coordinator
Jim Adriance, Foundation Representative,
Guatemala
Miriam Branddo, Foundation Representative,
Nicaragua
Carlo Dade, Foundation Representative,
Dominican Republic and Haiti
Kevin Healy, Foundation Representative,
Honduras, Panama and Costa Rica
Kaye Pyle, Foundation Representative, El Salvador
Robert Sogge, Foundation Representative, Mexico
This listing is current as of September 30, 2001.
5
2001 in Review
Message fro
the Chair
It is impossible to look back on the previ-
ous year without focusing on the tragic events
was invited to
of September 11 that have so changed the
address mayors and
world for all of us. Despite the current crisis
cabinet ministers
though, and maybe even because of it, the
from across the
Inter-American Foundation's mandate to
hemisphere on the
,
support the self-help efforts of the poor in
potential for devel-
Latin America and the Caribbean and foster
opment in a decen-
democratic ideals in the Western Hemisphere is
tralized democratic
more relevant than ever.
framework. The
Since taking office, President Bush has
conference the IAF
been unwavering in his commitment to
co-sponsored with
strengthen relations between the United States
the Organization of
and our Latin American and Caribbean neigh-
American States,
bors. President Bush's efforts are especially criti-
"Building Democracy from the Grassroots," won
cal now, given the severe economic crisis devas-
high marks from its audience. And when the
tating so many countries in the region, plunging
General Accounting Office launched its study
greater numbers of people into extreme poverty
of the U.S. government's democracy programs,
and diminishing hope. With its unique program
the Inter-American Foundation was the agency
of support for community development, the
the GAO chose to speak with first.
Foundation can play a decisive role in alleviating
Finally, our new advisory council is an
want and reducing the allure of violence.
exciting addition to the IAF's knowledge base
I have served on the Board of Directors of
and a valuable asset to the board. Each of the
the Inter-American Foundation for 11 years.
nine members is an outstanding professional
During my tenure, I have done my best to help
with a solid background of hands-on experience
the Foundation mature into a respected source
in the hemisphere and a distinguished record
of expertise on grassroots development. I have
of community service. I look forward to listen-
seen the staff become more professional, effi-
ing to them, learning from them and working
cient and accountable. Notwithstanding the
with them to advance the Foundation's mission.
severe budget cuts imposed since fiscal 2000,
the Foundation has maintained a standard of
Frank Yturria
excellence while stretching limited resources to
Chair, Board of Directors
cover a vast geographic area. It has continued
to pioneer innovative, imaginative development
models and to encourage democratic practices
at the most basic level.
Over the past year, in fact, the Foundation
has enjoyed some well-deserved recognition
internationally and within the federal govern-
ment for its leadership in fostering grassroots
participation. The IAF president, for example,
9
+,.
6
2001 in Review
1e,
p©i
Preedemes
Most development practitioners agree that
health posts and irri-
.one of the keys to sustainable poverty reduction
gation canals, and
is the involvement of the poor in determining
are initiating local
their own priorities and the actions that will
economic develop-
improve their quality of life. The process of self-
ment programs to
help can be a determining factor in bringing
create jobs and raise
about lasting change in the attitudes, capacity
income. This, in
and physical well-being of marginalized popula-
turn, is helping to
tions. Over the past 30 years, the Inter-
bring different
American Foundation has witnessed the power
sectors of a commu-
of participation in overcoming the odds
nity together in a
communities face in the quest for a better and
common effort to
more dignified life.
resolve pressing
As the authoritarian regimes so prevalent
problems and to help the poor. In addition to
in Latin America and the Caribbean during the
securing tangible benefits, such as better
1970s and 1980s gradually gave way to demo-
health, education and incomes, they are build-
cratic administrations, the self-help effort of
ing participation and trust, both vital to a
poor people contributed to a critical process:
stronger national democracy and a more just
democratic practice and governance at the local
and equitable society.
level. By the mid-1990s, most governments had
The inextricable linkage between self-help
begun to decentralize various functions and citi-
grassroots development and constructing democ-
zens enjoyed the right to elect local authorities.
racy has not always been clear. In the recent past,
Though still highly tentative and woefully
anti-poverty programs were managed from
under-funded, decentralization, with its poten-
central government ministries with no regard for
tial for responsiveness and accountability, has
either the local context or priorities. With the
nonetheless sparked great interest and hope.
current emphasis on genuine participation, and
The prospect of exercising real influence at the
not just consultation, a need to rethink the
local level has encouraged some leaders of
significance of local governance flows into the
grassroots and nongovernmental organizations
development assistance process. In a democratic
(NG0s) to seek office. Others have challenged
setting, participation and self-help can evolve
political candidates to express their views on
into genuine empowerment.
local issues and, if elected, keep their campaign
Building democracy at the grassroots is a
promises. The vast majority of current IAF
crosscutting theme of most IAF-funded projects.
grantees, who represent nonprofit organiza-
These offer a wide range of approaches to
tions, have established some form of coordina-
improving people's lives in the priority areas
tion or partnership with local governments.
they have selected. Common to most of those
Many have extended their reach to include
approaches is an effort to forge local coopera-
businesses and other nonprofits. Increasingly,
tion, build alliances across sectors, establish ties
such public/private partnerships combined
with the business community, mobilize local
with self-help efforts are building schools,
resources, improve the capacity of local govern-
ment, and broaden the list of stakeholders with
7
2001 in Review