ECUADOR SOUTHERN BORDER INTEGRATION SPECIAL OBJECTIVE
(SpO # 11)
CLOSE-OUT REPORT
April 20, 2009
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
I. Background data I
2. Summary of Special Objective II (SpO 11) 2
3. Discussion 2
4. Results by components 3
5. Accomplishments achieved by components 8
6. Social equity and gender consideration 8
7. Resources expended and counterpart contribution 9
8. Main agreements and contracts 9
9. Lessons learned II
10. Summary of main recommendations 13
11. Post completion actions 13
Attachment I:
PSUR Financial Information 15
FY
APPOS
WSEH
ATFLS
CAMAREN
CDC
CIASE
CNRH
DIPEIB
ECORAE
EDUCAVIDA
ELiCE
FEPP
FICSH
FIDASE
FINAE
FIPSE
CSWM
GTZ
Ha.
HCPL
INDA
ITSDB
JAAP
MAE
MBS
ACRONYMS
Fiscal Year
Asociaci6n de Pequenos Productores Orgfmicos de Santiago de Mendez
(Association of Small Organic Producers of Santiago de Mendez)
Water, Sanitation and Environmental Health
Asociaci6n de Temicos Forestales Locales Shuar (Association of Local Shuar
Forestry Technicians)
Sistema de Capacitaci6n para el Manejo de los Recursos naturales Renovables
(Renewable Natural Resources Management Training System)
Comi!e de Desarrollo Cantonal (Cantonal Development Committee)
Comite Interinstitucional de Agua y Saneamiento del Ecuador (Ecuadorian Inter￾institutional Water and Sanitation Committee)
Consejo Nacional de Recursos Hidricos (National Council on Water Resources)
Direcci6n Provincial de Educaci6n Bilingue (National Department of Bilingual
Education)
Instituto para el Ecodesarrollo de la RegiOn Amaz6nica (Institute for the
Ecodevelopment of the Amazon Region)
Proyecto de Mejoramiento de la Calidad Educativa (Educational Quality
Improvement Project)
Proyecto Espacios Locales de Inclusi6n y Calidad Educativa (Local Spaces of
Educational Inclusion and Quality Project)
Fondo Ecuatoriano para el Progreso de los Pueblos (Ecuadorian People's Progress
Fund)
Federaci6n Interprovincial de Centros Shuar (Inter-provincial Federation of Shuar
Centers)
Fundaci6n para la Investigaci6n, Desarrollo Ambiental ySocial en el Ecuador
(Research Foundation on Environmental and Social Development in Ecuador)
Federaci6n Independiente de la Nacionalidad Achuar Ecuatoriana (Independent
Federation of the Ecuadorian Achuar Nation)
Federaci6n !ndependiente del Pueblo Shuar del Ecuador (Independent Federation of
the Shuar People of Ecuador)
Comprehensive Solid Waste Management
German Technical Cooperation Agency
Hectare
Honorable Consejo Provincial de Loja (Honorable Provincial Council of the Loja
Province)
Instituto Nacional de Desarrollo Agrario (National Institute for Agrarian Development)
Instituto Tecnico Sevilla Don Bosco (Sevilla Don Bosco Technical Institute)
Junta Administradora de Agua Potable (Polable Water Administration Board)
Ministerio de Ambienle del Ecuador (Ecuadorian Ministry of Environment)
Ministerio de Bienestar Sociai (Ministry of Social Welfare)
MIDUVI
10M
NGOs
STOs
PW
PAHO
PAFSI
PMI
PMP
AOP
PRAGUAS
PROLOCAL
PSUR
RUC
RRNN
PWS
WWTS
SNV
SIISE
SIGGLO
SS
UMDS
UNL
USAID
USE
USI
WCS
Ministerio de Desarrollo Urbano y Vivienda (Ministry of Housing and Urban
Development)
International Organization for Migration
Non-Governmental Organizations
Second-tier Organizations
Public Works
Pan American Health Organization
Programa de Aprovechamiento Forestal Simplificado (Simplified Forest Exploitation
Program)
Plan de Manejo Integral (Integrated Management Plan)
Performance Monitoring Plan
Annual Operational Plan
Programa de Agua y Saneamiento para Comunidades Rurales y Pequeiios
Municipios - MIDUVI (Water and Sanitation Program for Rural Communities and
Small Municipalities)
Local Development Program (Social Welfare Ministry)
Programa de Sostenibilidad yUnion Regional
Sustainability and Regional Unity Program
Registro Onico de Contribuyentes (Single Taxpayer Identification)
Natural Resources
Potable Water System
Wastewater Treatment System
Netherlands Development Cooperation Service
Sistema Integrado de Indicadores Sociales del Ecuador (Integrated System of Social
Indicators of Ecuador)
Sistema de Informacion Gerencial de Gobiemos Locales (Local Government
Management Information System)
Social Services, aPSUR component
Unidad Municipal de Manejo y Desarrollo Sustentable (Municipal Management and
Sustainable Development Unit)
Universidad Nacional de Loja (National University of Loja)
United States Agency for International Development
Unidad Sanitaria Escolar (School Sanitary Unit)
Unidad sanitaria integral (Integrated Sanitary Unit)
Wildlife Conservation Society
USAID/ECUADOR
ECUADOR SOUTHERN BORDER INTEGRATION
SPECIAL OBJECTIVE No. 11 (SpO 11)
CLOSE - OUT REPORT
1. BACKGROUND DATA
Title:
Special Objective No.
Approval Date of the SpO
Completion date of the SpO:
Bilataral Agreement No.
Implementing Agencies under
the Bilateral Agreement:
Cooperative Agreement No.
Principal Implementing Partner:
Other sub-implementing
organizations/institutions:
Area of Intervention:
Components:
Southern Border Integration Special Objective
SpO 11
June 1, 1999:
September 30, 2007
598-0858
Ministry of Foreign Relations
Ecuadorian Binational Plan
518-A-00-01-00001-00
CARE International
Arco iris, Jatum Sacha, the Inter-Provincial Federation of
Shuar Centers (FICSH), Friends of the Earth Foundation,
Loja Provincial Council, Espacios Foundation, Plan
International, the Pan American Health Organization
(PAHO), and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).
Southern border of Ecuador, the provinces of Loja, EI Oro
and Morana Santiago
-Availability and access to social services, with emphasis on
health, water and sanitation
- Natural resources management in selected areas along the
border
- Improve capacity of local governments to plan projects and
implement services.
- Income-generation opportunities for small and micro￾entrepreneurs (terminated on August 30, 2002 due to
USAID's findings and recommendations made by Consullant
Steve Smith).
2. SUMMARY OF THE SPECIAL OBJECTIVE 11 (Sp011)
The overall result for the Special Objective 11 (SpO 11) for Border Integration was to contribute to
"Improved social and economic conditions of the inhabitants along the Peru-Ecuador border, thereby
promoting border integration" In light of the justification implicit for this program, based on the support
given to the successful execution of the Ecuador-Peru Peace Accords, the main focus was on having
a quick and visible impact on the lives of the residents of the selected border regions. For this
reason, achievements for the special objective were to be measured in terms of the number of people
benefiting from the new interventions made by the program.
Three Intermediate Results (IRs) were defined for the achievement of the Special Objective, plus one
cross-cutting result:
1. Expanded income-generating opportunities for small and micro-entrepreneurs (terminated
due to findings and recommendations made in Steve Smith's report presented in June-July, 2002).
The objective was to extend financial services to the border region and complement them with the
provision of services and essential technical assistance to stimulate cross-border trade. Among the
main activities included were: a) credit for micro-enterprises: b) technical assistance to small and
micro-enterprises; c) for-profit commercial banks serving the border region; and d) bi-national trade
fairs.
2. Increased availability and access to social services, with emphasis on health, water and
sanitation. This meant reversing the historically low levels of investment in providing basic social
services to the border region, by building health-related infrastnucture. It was aimed at encouraging
the administration of water, sanitation and other infrastructure projects through micro-enterprises or
community-based service administration committees, in order to ensure that the services became
self-sustainable.
3. Improved natural resources management in selected areas along the border. This result was
focused on complementary development and environmental protection initiatives in the area of the
Cutuku Range in the province of Morona Santiago. The proposed actions were aimed at improving
the legal protection of local resources, the legalization of land tenure in the area, the development of
sustainable forest management plans and the creation of new ecologically-friendly income-generating
opportunities for people living near protected areas.
4. A cross-cutting result: Improved capacity of local governments to plan projects and
implement services. This result was proposed as a support to the other outcomes and
decentralization efforts, through improved communication among municipal officials and community
leaders, community participation in the design and implementation of municipal programs, and
building the capacity of municipal employees to use computers, manage cost accounting systems
and design and implement projects.
3. DISCUSSION
Aller the Peace Accord signed between Ecuador and Peru on October 26, 1998, the Government of
the United States of America committed its support for the efforts that the two countries were making
to promote economic growth and social well-being along the border, and made resources available to
2
the governments of Ecuador and Peru, allocated through the United States Agency for International
Development (USAIDj, to be used within the framework of the Bi-national Development Plan for the
Border Region, which in the case of Ecuador was intended to benefit some 450,000 people from the
provinces of Loja, EI Oro and Morona Santiago.
USAID approved the SpO 11 on June 1, 1999. In the same month, a bilateral agreement was signed
by the US Government and the Government of Ecuador (GOE) represented by the Ministry of
Foreign Relations (Ecuadorian Binational Plan, as GOE counterpart). In July 1999, USAID Ecuador
signed a cooperative agreement with CARE, for $1.5 million, which ended in February 2001 and
brought water, sanitation and health services to 168,127 people living in 6cantons in the provinces of
Loja and EI Oro.
Beginning on October 30, 2000, under Cooperative Agreement 518-A-00-01-0001-00 signed
between USAID and CARE Ecuador, the Sustainability and Regional Unity Program (PSUR) was
established, with total estimated funding of $19,237,000, and an ending date of September 30,2005,
During PSUR, 11 amendments were made to the cooperative agreement with CARE, mainly to
provide incrementally funds, Among the most significant amendments are:
• Assigned key personnel, the local government strengthening program (amendments 3 and 5),
• Termination of the income generation component on August 30, 2002 (amendment 4)
• Updating provisions (shared costs, taxes, etc.) and indirect cost rates.
• Including the Democracy and Govemance component (DYGO) with interventions in the province
of Zamora Chinchipe (amendment 6), funded with Democracy funds for an amount of $1.4
million.
• Extension of the end date of PSUR (amendments 7, 8and 9).
• Reduction of the total estimated amount of the cooperative agreement (-$2,294,533) and the
establishment of the definitive distribution among components (final amendment No. 11).
This close out report will concentrate on activities and lessons learned under this SpO,
As shown on page 7, PSUR, after 7 years of work, achieved its goals and objectives and surpassed
goals in 13 out of the 15 indicators measured. In the other two, the accomplishment is more than
97% (not considering the Income Generation component that was terminated in advance).
The following sections contain a deeper analysis of the results, effects and impacts of PSUR
program.
4. RESULTS BY COMPONENTS:
a) Social Services component:
PSUR has provided access to safe drinking water to 103,386 people through the construction or
improvement of 111 water systems in the provinces of Loja, EI Oro and Marana Santiago.
3
In Loja-EI Oro, 67 water systems have been built or upgraded, with 85,720 beneficiaries, resulting in
a 16.11% increase in coverage in rural areas of the 18 target cantons; and in Morona Santiago, 44
water systems were built or upgraded serving a population of 17,666 people, or a 14% increase in
coverage in participating cantons.
In addition, a total of 5,034 sanitary units (SUs that included toilet, shower, and washbasin) have
been built, providing 51,994 people with access to sanitation services. In Loja and EI Oro, the
Program built or improved 4,363 SUs, 26 School Sanitary Units (SSUs) and 3 wastewater treatment
systems for 47,392 beneficiaries; and in Morona Santiago, 628 SUs, and 15 SSUs, serving 4,552
beneficiaries.
In the case of solid waste management (SWM), 231,188 people have access to sustainable solid
waste disposal services, through the implementation and operation of 27 systems in coordination with
municipalities, 17 of them in Loja and EI Oro and 10 in Morona Santiago.
In 7years, PSUR has helped families with access to water and sanitation services (WSS) to improve
their knowledge and practices in the area of health and the environment, as planned. In Loja and EI
Oro, WSS information and education has been provided to 209 communities, with the participation of
at least 70% of all adults and children. In Morona Santiago, families from 64 communities with water
and sanitation systems have participated in this process.
In all, PSUR has led to communities with access to WS services improving their organizational
structures and the management of the services with an eye toward sustainabi/ily. In all, 126 water
boards were strengthened, compared to the 80 originally planned. In Loja and EI Oro, 84 systems
(67 water systems, 4 wastewater treatment systems, and 18 solid waste management systems) are
operated, maintained and administered by local organizations, and in Morona Santiago, 42 Water
Boards have been strengthened in areas related to the administration and maintenance of the
systems.
b) Natural Resource Management component
This component was implemented exclusively in the province of Morona Santiago, through partner
institutions, like the Inter-provincial Federation of Shuar Centers (FICSH), the Arcoiris Ecological
Foundation, the Inter-cultural Bilingual University, EcoCiencia, Ecolex, SNV, WCS and Jatun Sacha.
During the life of PSUR, the land titling subcomponent, initially led by ECOLEX and during the last
three years by the Inter-provincial Federation of Shuar Centers (FICSH), has supported the titling of
229,654 hectares of ancestral land, benefiting 24,361 people from 50 Shuar centers living within or in
the area of influence of the Cutuku Shaimi Protective Forest, widely surpassing the established
target.
Similarly, assistance was provided in the definition of minimal criteria and agreements for the
management and formulation of comprehensive management plans (or 38 Shuar centers and two
micro-watersheds, with atotal area of 184,562.87 hectares, benefiting 25,095 people.
With respect to community forest management, after a process of disseminating forestry laws and
regulations along with low-impact use techniques, a total of 185 families are using their new skills to
4
take advantage of the forest in asustainable manner, in planning and forest use andpost-use; a total
of 1,190 people have been trained and informed about issues related to forestry management,
valuing forests, silviculture and timber milling.
In terms of improved agricultural production, a subcomponent led by Arcoiris and supported in the
initial phase by the Holland Cooperation (SNV) in the TransCutuku, throughout the life of PSUR, the
program facilitated the consolidation of an organizational base uniting close to 650 Shuar and
mestizo (mixed indigenous-Ecuadorians) fanners in four cantons to local governments. This
organizational base is represented through 5 associations located in Mendez, Chinimbimi, EI Tesoro
and the newest in Huamboya, which have the support of the Sustainable Development Units of the
Municipalities of Santiago de Mendez, Morona and Huamboya.
One relevant aspect of this subcomponent was the development of protocols for the propagation of
native fish species like the "Boca Chica" (small-mouth) and the "Sabalo"; as well as the production of
"Tilapia", which is very significant, since they were not produced iocally and had to be brought in from
Guayaquil or Lago Agrio.
The Commercialization subcomponent has promoted associative processes for wood, crafts,
agricultural products, tourism, and other non-wood products for eight groups with 133 members and
their families (around 655 people) in the cantons of Sucua, Mendez and Morona. They sell crafts in
QUito, Ambato and locally; and they are selling legal wood and agricultural products, like fruits,
marmalades, vegetables, cocoa and derivatives, chicken, fish; and guanabana pulp through six
distribution points in Macas and Mendez.
Another important part of the subcomponent was provide support for the creation of a network of
organic farmers in the province, with the following associations: the Association of Small Organic
Farmers of Mendez (APPOS), 15 de mayo, EI Tesoro, Los Laureles de Chinimbimi, and Jempe.
c) Local Government Strengthening component:
PSUR helped to strengthen 26 local governments (municipalities) in implementing adequate
consultative processes and managing their services. These municipalities are: 14 in Loja province,
municipalities: Puyango, Pindal, lapotillo, Macara, Sozoranga, Calvas, Espindola, Quilanga,
Chaguarpamba, Paltas, Olmedo, Catamayo, Celica, and Gonzanama; 9 in Morana Santiago
province, municipalities: Logrono, Paquisha, Yanlzatza, Morona, Pablo VI, Sucua, Santiago, Mendez,
and Tiwinlza; and, 3 in ElOra province, municipalities: Arenillas, Huaquillas, and Las Lajas.
In relation to the implementation of consultative processes:
Nine municipalities from the provinces of Loja and EI Oro were supported, where citizen participation
processes contributed to:
a) Parish Boards meeting, discussing and prioritizing their development needs.
b) The municipalities improved their capacities to prepare development plans, and
c) The municipalities gathered and incorporated the development needs
Work was done with 4municipalities of Loja and EI Oro, in which:
d) A Cantonal Development Committee (CDC) or similar entity was formed
5
e) Different actors participate in the CDC
The CDC has its own work plan.
In 13 municipalities of Loja, EI Oro and Morona Santiago, the program helped to ensure that:
g) The municipality officially recognized the CDC.
h) The CDC had by-laws and regulations and met periodically.
i) The municipality has parish and/or canton development plans.
j) The canton has strengthened the leadership of its civil society organizations participating in
the Cantonal Development Committee.
With respect to strengthening services management:
The 14 municipalities in the provinces of Loja, EI Oro and Morona Santiago, with the support of
PSUR, have:
a) Improved their computer skills.
b) A methodology to prepare cantonal development plans.
The 4 participating municipalities from Loja and Morona Santiago:
c) Have improved their computer abilities.
d) Have a methodology to prepare cantonal development plans.
e) Have improved their capacity for project design and management.
Eight participating municipalities in Loja, EI Oro and Morona Santiago have:
Improved their computer abilities.
g) Developed a methodology to prepare cantonal development plans.
h) Improved their capacity for project design and management.
i) Implemented asystem for costing services.
j) Strengthened their structure.
k) Developed their own Strategic Plan.
I) Developed acanton information system
m) Modernized at least one of their services (tax and fee collection).
d) Income Generation component
PSUR, in coordination with allied organizations like FUNDATIERRA, ARCOIRIS, FEPP, the San
Francisco Foundation and SNV supported the formation and strengthening of 120 Community Credit
Entities, through which 1,601 loans were granted, benefiting 8,806 people, of which 548 (34%) were
granted to women.
As mentioned above, this component was terminated by USAID on August 30, 2002 due to findings
and recommendations made by Consultant Steve Smith, considering that it was not complying with
the planned results.
6
MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS BY THE END OF THE SOUTHERN BORDER PROGRAM
RESULTS
PMP INDICATOR Planned Actual %
accomplish.
BOR 11.0 (a)
Number of beneficiaries in the border region whose lives have improved due to 476,970 499,420 104.71%
their participation in activities to provide access to social services, adopt improved
natural resource management practices and/or make local government more
efficient.
BOR 11.2 (a) - Number of Community Credit Entities established. 200 120 60%
BOR 11.2 (b) - Number of small and micro-enterprises that have received loans 6,700 1,601 23.90%
1. %of women 2,680 548 20.44%
2. Number of benefICiaries 33,500 8,806 26.29
BOR 11.3 (a) I
1. Number of new or improved potable water systems. 97 111 114.43%
2. Number of Beneficiaries 51,220 103,386 201.85%
BOR 11.3 (b)
1. Number of new or improved sanilary units 3,923 5,034 128.32%
2. Number of Beneficiaries 50,238 51,944 103.40%
BOR 11.3 (c) --
1. Number of new or improved garbage collection or recycling programs. 26 27 103.85%
2. Number of Beneficiaries 237,372 231,188 97.39%
Number of indirect beneficiaries - water and sanitation 54,640 54,640 100%
BOR 11.4 (a) Policy documents developed that strengthen the legal basis for 10 10 100%
conservation and sustainable development in the Kutucu mountain range.
BOR11.4(b)
1. Number of hectares under natural resource management plans in selected 100,000 184,563 184.56%
areas.
2. Number of Beneficiaries 25000 25,095 100.38%
BOR 11.4 (c)
1. Number of hectares titled within or close to the area of influence 100,000 229,654 229.65%
2. Number of Beneficiaries 25000 24,361 97.44%
BOR 11.CCR (a)
Number of local governments with adequate consultative processes in operation. 26 26 100%
BOR l1.CCR (b)
Number of local governments who have improved their administration of services. 26 100%
7
5. ACCOMPLISHMENTS ACHIEVED BY COMPONENTS:
499,420 people from the Southern Border Region of Ecuador benefited from the Program
Components, as follows:
Income Generation component:
120 comrnunity credit entities were established and 8,806 people benefited from access to micro￾credit. This component was terminated by USAID on August 30, 2002 due to findings and
recommendations made by Consultant Steve Smith, considering that it was not complying with the
planned results.
Social Services component:
•
•
•
111 new or improved potable water systems (103,386 beneficiaries)
5,034 sanitary units (51,944 beneficiaries)
27 solid wasle management systems. (231,188 beneficiaries, 26 in cantonal capitals and 1
parish-based)
Natural Resources Management component:
• 184,562.87 hectares are under natural resource management plans in Morona Santiago
province, with 25,095 beneficiaries in the following cantons: Logroiio, Paquisha, Yantzatza,
Morona, Pablo VI, Sucua, Santiago, Mendez, and Tiwintza.
229,654.10 hectares titled in Morona Santiago province (same cantons as above), with 24,361
.beneficiaries.
• A total of 10 studies were developed to strengthen the legal basis for conservation and
sustainable development in the CutukiJ mountain range.
Local Government Strengthening component:
• 26 local governments with adequate consultative processes in operation.
• 26 local governments that have improved their administration of services.
• 31 members of marginal target groups received leadership training.
• 2consensus-building actions that have improved the integration of excluded groups.
• 4 instances of social oversight of public administration.
6. SOCIAL EQUITY AND GENDER CONSIDERATIONS
PSUR, in its design, began by recognizing that equity means that men and women, rich and poor,
girls, boys and adolescents, adults and the elderiy, and people from different ethnic groups can
participate in different ways and receive different kinds of support in the program's development and
conservation efforts, all the while guaranteeing that the impact of the benefits would be balanced
(equitable) in terms of the power and prestige that goes along with their participation. Equity means
making sure that the interventions do not create or deepen power imbalances or inequalities among
groups or individuals from the communities or regions involved in development activities.
8
In terms of the use of communal or farm-based natural resources, women participated actively in
making decisions on the land use and other preferences, generally through participatory
methodologies.
One fundamental aspect that we should look at is women's access to decision-making: the baseline
study showed us that the leadership posts in community organizations were overwhelmingly held by
men, and only a few women participated in secondary posts (like secretary). In light of this reality,
important progress was made, since at the end of the program, some 32% of the important
leadership roles in the community organizations (water boards, farmers associations) were occupied
by women.
7. RESOURCES EXPENDED AND COUNTERPART CONTRIBUTIONS
Altachment1 shows a breakdown of USAID money, showing that the total obligation for PSUR was
$19,199,258.
On the contributions from other funding sources (counterpart contribution), the majority ($6.4 million,
or 61%) came from local communities, municipalities, Provincial Councils and organizations that are
part of the PSUR consortium; these are followed by CARE funds (from private donors and CARE's
own funds) in the amount of $2.2 million (22%); funds from other governments which contributed to
the Bi-national Development Plan, totaling $1.4 million (13%); and finally other contributions in the
amount of $500,000 (6%).
Following is a summary of the amounts contributed by strategic partners and allies of PSUR from
October 2000 to September 2007:
Detail
Communities, Municipalities, Provincial Councils, Partners
Private CARE USA donors
Governments within the Bi-national Plan
CARE's own funds
Other sources
Total
61%
14%
13%
8%
5%
100%
Counterpart
Contribution
6,469,072
1,439,887
1,438,344
802,022
509,913
10,659,238
Beyond their size, these figures demonstrate an important level of commitment to the purpose and
objectives of PSUR on the part of communities, local, provincial and national governments, and
participating organizations and institutions. The counterpart contribution was 55% of the USAID
budget.
8. MAIN AGREEMENTS AND CONTRACTS:
The implementation of PSUR was done through a consortium of organizations, which while complex
(programmatically, administratively and financially), contributed significantly to achieving the
objectives, as it helped to mobilize a range of institutional expertise, talents, resources and
commitments.
9
Initially CARE formed a Consortium with 12 organizations and institutions: Arcoiris, Banco del
Pichincha/CREDIFE, Catholic Relief Services, Conservation International, Ecociencia, HOPE, Jatun
Sacha, the Netherlands Cooperation Service (SNV), OIKOS, The Pan American Health Organization
(PAHO), Plan International, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).
In the last two years of PSUR implementation, the following organizations were part of the
consortium: Arcoiris, Jatun Sacha, the Inter-provincial Federation of Shuar Centers (FICSH),
Friends of the Earth Foundation (Fundaci6n Amigos de la Tierra-Fundatierra), Fundaci6n Espacios,
Provincial Government of Loja, Plan International and the Intercultural Bilingual University of the
Indigenous People.
When analyzing the evolution of the consortium, it becomes clear that at the beginning there were
many more international NGOs, while at the end of the program, there were more national and local
organizations: indigenous federations, local/provincial governments, NGOs and universities. This
situation is the result of the process of strengthening local capacities and talents to guarantee the
sustainability of the processes and their results and impacts.
In the following table we present alist of the main partners who took part in the implementation of the
PSUR in each of its components:
Component Partner Activities
Social Services Plan International Water and sanitation, infrastructure
community and organizational capacity￾building.
Fundatierra Water source protection, community
management, water tariffs and quality
control
FEPP Loja Productive infrastructure for irrigation and
post-production
Municipalities I Infrastructure and community
Provincial Council manaqement, water qualitv control
Natural Resources Arco Iris Foundation Aquaculture, agricultural production and
Management strengthening micro-finance proarams
Jatun Sacha Foundation Forestry management, environmental
impact assessments and forest
valuations
Ecociencia Management of protected areas,
biodiversity studies, and training
promoters
Ecolex Land titling, legal studies on conservation
and decentralization of environmental
authority.
FICSH Legalization of lands and proposals for
, the co-management of the Cutucu
10
protective forest
Universidad Amawtay Leadership training in agro-ecology and
I
natural resources management ,-- SNV Improving agricultural production In
Transkutuku
WCS Studies on hunting and natural resources
management
Local Government tndaci6n Espacios Citizen participation and building the
Strengthening management capacity of municipalities
CCCC Training social auditors and supporting
citizen oversight efforts c- SNV Strengthening local governments In
Morona
Municipalities Improving services, implementation of the I
SIGGLO system, citizen participation,
parish and canton development plans I
I
9. LESSONS LEARNED
There have been many lessons learned throughout the 7 years of implementation of the PSUR
Program; in this section we will try 10 summarize some of the most important ones, following the
project cycle and based on their relevance for the context in which the program was carried out:
1. As a starting point, we should explain that the PSUR is probably the first, if not the only post￾conflict agreement implemented in South America; therefore at its essence is a contribution
to the process of peace between two neighboring countries. In this sense, even though the
largest differences and conflicts expressed themselves at the governmental level, the
program at first faced a large degree of mistrust in local communities, which gradually
dissipated with the work and daily relationships formed with the field teams.
2. During the design phase of the program, the participation of local communities, organizations
and institutions was fundamental, especially during two specific stages: the situational
analysis of their reality and the establishment of priorities and objectives. In addition to
demonstrating coherence with the right to participation, ensuring a high degree of
"legitimacy" for the changes to be made, this participation contributes to sustainability and
helps to optimize resources, since no significant persuasion efforts are needed.
3. In terms of complexity of the programs (four components run by a consortium of institutions),
magnitude (programmatic and financial) and time (7 years) of PSUR, long-term strategic
planning with the active participation of everyone involved is a necessity, since it makes it
possible to define an overall vision and establish the main ethical, policy and strategic
guidelines that will help guide the program throughout its life. It is also an excellent guide for
making decisions from the beginning to respond to any difficulties or problems that may
emerge in the course of the program.
11
4. When dealing with bi-national initiatives, where results and impacts are expected in
processes of regional cross-border integration, it is important that the "concept" of the project
includes this trend; in the case of the PSUR in Ecuador and the Border Program in Peru, the
fact that the areas of intervention, geographic coverage and start and ending dates did not
coincide was a significant obstacle. Nonetheless, the organization of regular bi-national
events to exchange infonmation and explore ways to cooperate, with the participation of
governments, international donors, implementing institutions, and civil society
representatives were important alternative forums.
5. In tenms of the approaches of programs that promote human development, it is fundamental
that on the one hand the meaning of the concepts or categories of analysis and intervention
are constructed in a participatory fashion, for example sustainability, social and gender
equity, and on the other that it is clearly defined how (intervention methodology) to apply
these concepts in practice. In this sense, PSUR developed the sustainability approach, both
in planning processes and through aflexible methodology of intervention that was consistent
with the local context. For example, in the case of the water systems for remote communities
whose economies are based on non-monetary income, it is logical that the payment for the
operation of the systems should be made in kind.
6. In tenms of the sustainable use and management of the environment, it is key that
cooperation staff are open to understanding that the value systems of rural families are not
only conceived of in monetary terms, and that their concepts of production and relationship
with the environment in many cases is not governed by "accumulation" but rather by
solidarity, reciprocity and frugality. This understanding is key for designing management
plans and implementing production, conservation or other activities; and for considering other
human dimensions beyond inputs, technical assistance or financial resources.
7. The exchange of knowledge and know-how is fundamental for promoting social and
organizational learning, but much more as an essential element of human development.
One of the best examples is that of the dialogue of knowledge about the Shuar "Aja" (which
is a piece of land around the Shuar's houses used to produce self-consumption crops) and
its significant contribution to restoring agricultural and biological diversity and food
sovereignty along with the ancestral knowledge that is part of the culture of the Shuar nation.
8. Developing a local human capacity bUilding system to improve the negotiating abilities and
the skills of commercialization and administration of groups of producers are key; however,
one also has to consider that many times, rural producers only want to sell along the road
and not go through "the trouble of going to town" -leaving their comfort zone - to negotiate.
On this point, the role of the intenmediary is key, as they have capital and take the risks, thus
it is necessary to negotiate so that the levels of profit are adequate.
9. The consolidation of local proposals based on existing experiences is a key aspect in
achieving objectives and sustainable impacts, one example of this was the participatory
processes carried out by the democracy and govemance component, based on previous
experiences, for inclusion in local development plans and the proposal of other elements like
social auditing, participatory budgeting, etc.
12
10. Implementing a program using a consortium of organizations, while complex, helps
significantly to achieve program objectives, as it mobilizes a series of institutional know-how,
expertise, resources and commitments.
10. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS:
For the Cooperation Agencies:
1. When working on bi-national initiatives and hoping to achieve results and impacts on the
processes of regional cross-border integration, the "concept" of the project has to include this
trend.
2. Put more emphasis on environmental aspects of development programs, particularly those
related to sustainable watershed management.
3. Contribute to and link initiatives directly with the implementation of local development plans,
especially the economic and productive aspects of them.
4. Promote regional and/or national development programs with longer time horizons and
geographical coverage.
For the National Government:
5. Strengthen the mechanisms to build capacity in local governments to implement and monitor
development plans and projects.
6. Promote the integration of actions to ensure the sustainability of the processes and impacts.
7. Take experiences like those of the PSUR into account when creating national public policies.
For the Local Governments:
8. The municipalities should lead the monitoring of the urban and rural water, sanitation and waste
management systems; as well as environmental management and economic development
initiatives, once the support from the development cooperation community has ceased.
9. Promote ongoing campaigns to raise civic awareness about health and environmental issues.
10. Apply the services management policies in away that benefits communities.
11. Consider local development plans as the foundation for local development, and social oversight
efforts as atool to en hance transparency and legitimacy.
12. Apply the lessons learned to other programs.
For the Social Organizations (Water Boards, Farmers Associations, and Federations):
13. Ensure the incorporation of excluded groups in making community decisions.
14. Ensure the comprehensive management of services that they are responsible to operate, taking
into account the elements proposed to altain sustainability.
15. Respect and value the ancestral knowledge of the communities.
16. Continue the local development processes that contribute to the exercise of rights: social
(access to water, sanitation, health, education) economic and collective (territorial rights).
11. POST COMPLETION ACTIONS
As mentioned above, many of the interventions of PSUR will continue through the different
stakeholders involved: social organizations, local and provincial governments, universities and
13
research centers, farmers' associations, indigenous federations, and others, who have participated in
the entire process using the sustainabilily approach developed in the program.
In addition, several of the organizations participating in the PSUR Consortium are continuing with
their programs in the southern border region, such as the following NGOs and universities: Plan
International, the Arcoiris Foundation, Fundatierra, the Espacios Foundation and the Amawtay
University,
Nevertheless, the southern border region of Ecuador continues to experience a series of
consequences resulting from decades of marginalization, neglect and inequity which are a challenge
for the cooperation community, local stakeholders, the private sector and the national government. It
is also an exceptional scenario filled with capacities, opportunities and diversity to face the
challenges of creating a more equitable, dignified and united society.
Approved
~~Mission Director
Drafted By:EGuilien ~Date 4-20-09
Clearances:
EDGE: TRhodes (in draft) Date 3-4-09
SDE: PMartinez (in draft) Date 6-4-09
CONT: GCarrera (in draft) Date 21:09 viA. ,
P:IGDOIPSURIPSUR CLOSE OUT REPORT 4-20-09
Disapproved
Alexandria L. Panehal
Mission Director
14
ATTACHMENT 1
PSUR Financial Information
15
USAID/Ecuador
Financiallnlormatlon PSUR
Obligations and Subobligations
ATTACHMENT 1
Transactlon Amount Transaction Event - Program Area
SUBOBLIGATIONS UNILATERAL OBLIGATIONS TotalObli ations Total Ex ndttures
Vendor Name2 518-011 518-001 518-612 518-014 518-011 518-012
CARE INC 16,822,467 120,000 600,000 25,000 0 800,000 18,367,467 18,367,467
MANAGEMENT SUPPORT COSTS 262,464 459,721 722,205 722,014
CHECCHI AND CO 14,911 14,911 B,724
DELOITTE ADVISORY SERVICES do 1,000 1,000 1,000
DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATES INC 76,975 76,975 68,19B
US DEPARTMENT OF STATE 12,700 12,700 12,700
VARIOUS 4,000 4,000 4,000
TotalObliqations 17,177,837 120,000 600,000 25,000 476,421 800,000 19,199,258 19,184,104
•