PROGRAMA CIMIENTOS – , – QUARTERLY REPORT JANUARY – MARCH 2008

APRIL 30, 2008 This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by Management Systems International.

PROGRAMA CIMIENTOS – BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUARTERLY REPORT JANUARY – MARCH 2008

Contracted under Task Order Contract: DFD-I-03-05-00221-00

Colombia Regional Governance & Consolidation Program CIMIENTOS

DISCLAIMER The author’s views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government.

CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION ...... 1

II. ACTIVITIES BY COMPONENT AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL ...... 1 A. Component 1. Improving Citizen Security and Effective State Presence in Health and Education ...... 1 B. Component 2: Building governance capacity in targeted regions ...... 6 C. Cross-cutting component: Civil Society ...... 11

III. ACTIVITIES AND CONTEXT AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL ...... 14 A. National Level ...... 14 B. Bajo and Medio Atrato ...... 15 C. Catatumbo ...... 22 D. Sierra Nevada ...... 24

IV. INDICATORS MATRIX ...... 29

V. CASE STUDY ...... 30

ANNEX 1: RAPID RESPONSE FUND WINDOWS TABLE ...... 32

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT i JANUARY – MARCH 2008 I. INTRODUCTION

During the fourth program quarter (January to March 2008), MSI focused on supporting the departmental and municipal planning process to ensure that plans are developed in a participatory manner and include community priorities and that the topics required by law, measurable indicators and legal procedures and deadlines are respected. MSI also focused on strengthening the plans’ security, education and health sections. A total of four departments and 24 municipalities received direct technical assistance on this critical topic. In addition, MSI promoted cooperating between communities and municipal administrations through the facilitation of 11 community assemblies (mesas de concertacion) to agree upon the selection of small infrastructure projects, together with the local administration to become a Bases project. In total, 2,517 citizens and government officials (882 women, 1010 afro-, 116 indigenous, 70 IDPs, 96 youths) benefitted from program support during the quarter.

This report is divided into six sections, including the introduction. The second section describes the activities under the program components. The third section details activities undertaken at the national level and in each of the three CIMIENTOS regions. The fourth section shows program progress, according to the USAID, Acción Social and contract indicators. The fifth section is a success story on MSI technical assistance to the preparation of the municipal development plan in Riosucio. The sixth section is a table of expenditures for the reporting period. Annex 1 includes a list of projects under the rapid response fund, including grants.

II. ACTIVITIES BY COMPONENT AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL

A. Component 1. Improving Citizen Security and Effective State Presence in Health and Education

Subcomponent 1.1: Citizen Security/Prevention and Coexistence During the quarter, MSI created a simple guide to help orient municipal government officials on the legal requirements for security action plans and sections on citizen security in municipal and departmental development plans. MSI also began promoting the creation of Security Councils at the municipal and departmental level to assist in the development of preventative security measures as well as help provide recommendations to mayor and governor’s offices to define priority topics to include in the security action plans, in accordance with Colombian law. To date, the councils have not been fulfilling their role in assisting mayors and governors to formulate the security action plans. Also, the councils have been meeting only in reaction to severe security issues, rather than meeting on a regular basis to discuss prevention measures. To help Security Councils comply with their legal responsibilities, MSI created a guide on how the Security Councils are required to operate and the councils’ role in providing input into the security section of the Development Plans and the formulation of the Security Plans. During the reporting period, MSI, together with the Safe Departments and Municipalities (Departamentos y Municipios Seguros – DMS) program, hosted a Security Council meeting in after receiving a request from the mayor on January 9. Participants in the council meeting included the mayor, 1 citizen, 3 municipal public officials, 1 departmental public official and 10 national government public officials. Colonel Henao, former DMS director, presented the objective of the Security Councils and the role Security Councils play in helping administrations create security action plans. Due to MSI’s discussions with the mayor of Valledupar, the Security Council participants not only included the police and army

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 1 JANUARY – MARCH 2008 (which is typically the case), but also the public control entities (Prosecutor General’s Office, Inspector General’s Office, Controller General’s Office). Additionally, the Valledupar mayor assigned the responsibility of creating the security action plan to the Secretary of Planning instead of the police (the entity which typically creates the plan, despite the mayor’s office’s requirement by law to do so). This demonstrates the mayor’s understanding that security is first, the mayor’s responsibility. Also, it demonstrates his willingness to have the public administration play an active role in the topic instead of having the police manage security in isolation.

Colombian National Police (CNP)

In late January, the program’s principal counterpart in the CNP, the DMS program, changed directors. USAID advised MSI to halt all activities with the CNP, not only the DMS program, until the new director Coronel Londoño presented an action plan for DMS, which would reorient the priorities of the program, and a coordination meeting could be set up. Meetings with Coronel Londoño have been scheduled for April.

Ministry of Interior and Justice (MIJ)

On March 12, MSI met with the MIJ program counterparts to present the CIMIENTOS activities planned for 2008. The director of the Public Order Department (Dirección de Orden Público) attended the meeting, after multiple MSI attempts to coordinate with this department over the last year. The director agreed to continue to coordinate with MSI on security activities identified with the CNP’s DMS program.

Activities planned for April – June 2008

 April 23: Meeting with Colonel Londoño of DMS to identify joint program activities.  April 24: Meeting with the Vice-minister of MIJ to identify initiatives to improve the municipal security budgets.  Begin activities for the creation of Prevention and Co-existence Observatories in the Norte de Santander and Cesar departments.

Subcomponent 1.2: Health During the quarter, MSI focused on providing technical assistance on the formulation of the health sections of development plans to 4 departments and 24 municipalities. MSI provided a guide to all CIMIENTOS departments and municipalities explaining the health topics the municipal administrations are required to include in their development plans.

Additionally, MSI concentrated efforts on disseminating to local health officials the Ministry of Social Protection’s (Ministerio de Protección Social – MPS) new health resolution # 425 passed on February 11, 2008. The resolution establishes the methodology and requirements for the development of Territorial Health Plans by mayor’s offices. Similar to municipal development plans, the health plans include goals, activities, and responsibilities in this sector during the next four years of the municipal administration. Because the MPS passed the resolution quite late in the planning process, local officials expressed concern regarding their lack of understanding of the resolution and its short timeline for compliance. As a result, MSI held 17 participatory working sessions in 12 municipalities and one department on the identification of municipal health priorities according to the resolution’s new thematic priorities and in relation to the Municipal and Departmental Development Plans. A total of 128 participants (53 women, 41 afro-colombians, 11 indigenous, 1 IDP and 2 youths), including mayors, presidents of the municipal councils, representatives of health service providers, personeros, directors of local hospitals, municipal managers of SISBEN (survey to identify beneficiaries of social program) and community leaders, participated in these sessions.

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 2 JANUARY – MARCH 2008 To support these planning processes and better tailor future program assistance under this component, MSI conducted assessments on the institutional capacity and priorities of health offices of each CIMIENTOS municipality (with the exception of Tibú due to difficulties in contacting municipal officials). The priorities evaluated were related to the topics required by the resolution for Territorial Health Plans, such as health planning, coverage, service provision, public health, risks in the workplace, emergencies and natural disasters. Table 1displays the results of this assessment and is divided into three criteria: 1) level of knowledge, 2) political will and capacity to administer health sector responsibilities, and 3) staffing in the CIMIENTOS municipalities.

TABLE 1: EVALUATION OF INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY OF MUNICIPAL HEALTH OFFICES Criteria 1 Criteria 2 Criteria 3 Political will and Sufficient human Level of capacity of resources to Municipality knowledge on public officials manage health Colombian responsible for sector health system municipal health responsibilities High Med. Low High Med. Low High Med. Low

BAJO AND MEDIO ATRATO Acandí Bojayá Carmen de Atrato Carmen del Darién Murindó Riosucio Ungía CATATUMBO Abrego Convención El Carmen Hacarí La Playa Ocaña SIERRA NEVADA Valledupar Dibulla Ciénaga Fundación

As a follow-up to a workshop in December to train indigenous leaders on the Colombian health system and to facilitate discussions on health concerns and priorities, MSI held a meeting, from February 1-3,

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 3 JANUARY – MARCH 2008 with 52 (20 women) community leaders and representatives of the indigenous leader’s council (Concejo Territorial de Cabildos de Tayrona) of the , Arsarios and Kogüis indigenous communities and of the indigenous health service provider DUSAKAWI (Empresas Promotoras de Salud – EPS) in the Sierra Nevada region. The purpose of this latter meeting was for indigenous communities to present to their representatives from the Indigenous Council conclusions from the prior meeting regarding their health sector priorities. Indigenous communities are often reluctant to discuss their health issues with other groups, particularly western governmental structures. In this instance, three indigenous groups not only reached consensus among themselves on health priorities, they also agreed to present these priorities to authorities formulating the respective Municipal Development Plans.

Ministry of Social Protection (MPS)

On March 3-6, MSI participated in a health forum in Quibdó to launch the new health model for Chocó, developed by the MPS and Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO). During the forum, MSI met with public officials and technical staff responsible for health provision from the national, departmental and municipal levels in order to identify potential activities to support the dissemination and application of this model. MSI subsequently assisted planning officials in the CIMIENTOS municipalities in Chocó to include the aspects of the model into their Territorial Health Plans. According to PAHO’s timeline, next quarter MSI will help PAHO and the Departmental Health Administrator (Departamento Administrativo de Salud – DASALUD) disseminate of the model in Riosucio, Carmen del Darién and Bojayá.

Additionally, MSI continued to update the MPS on the health conditions and needs in CIMEINTOS municipalities, based on field visits and meetings with local officials and communities. This interaction allowed MSI to develop a list of frequently asked questions for the MPS’s Department of Public Health (Dirección de Salud Pública) and assist the Ministry in the creation of standardized responses to improve communication with municipal and departmental health officials.

National Superintendent of Health (Superintendencia Nacional de Salud – SNS)

MSI presented a proposal to the SNS to develop an inspection, supervision and control model for mayor’s and governor’s offices to be piloted in the municipality of San Juan del Cesar (La Guajira). This model would strengthen local capacity to monitor provisions and quality of services, as well as report this progress to the SNS. The Superintendent enthusiastically accepted this proposal and the mayor of San Juan del Cesar confirmed his commitment to its implementation.

National Registrar’s Office (RGN)

On March 26, USAID and MSI met with the Registrar to learn about the RGN (Registraduría General de la Nación) efforts in the registration and identification process at the local level. MSI requested prioritization of CIMIENTOS municipalities to ensure that citizens have identification cards (cedúlas) required for subsequent registration in SISBEN in order to access subsidized social services.

General Observations

Significant progress with the SNS was delayed due to the resignation of the Superintendent, José Renan Trujillo. His replacement has yet to be appointed. During the interim, Mauricio Mejia Cardona is the Acting Superintendent from the Management and Finance Office.

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 4 JANUARY – MARCH 2008 Activities Planned for April – June 2008

 April 16: Meeting with the Social Development Office (Dirección de Desarrollo Social) of the National Planning Department (Departamento Nacional de Planeación – DNP) to identity coordination on the new SISBEN survey.  April 17: Planning session with SNS.  April 21-22: Working group to manage financial resources (Mesas de Flujo de Recursos) for the department of Chocó.  April 22: Participation in the Chocó working group, led by DASALUD and PAHO.  April 21 – June 15: Field visits for technical assistance for the preparation of Territorial Health Plans.  April - May: Development of training materials on the new health legislation in coordination with the MPS.  In coordination with Citizen Participation component, participation in health service audit committees in Riosucio, Carmen del Darién and Bojayá.

Subcomponent 1.3: Education During the reporting period, MSI focused on providing technical assistance for the inclusion of education topics and national level priorities, such as the Ten-year Education Plan (Plan Decenal), in development plans. To support this process, MSI prepared a simple guide on topics municipal and departmental offices need to address in their plans, as well as a methodology for including assessments, indicators and goals.

Ministry of National Education (MEN)

On January 26, MSI, in conjunction with the MEN, conducted a workshop on enrollment procedures, based on the Integrated Enrollment System (Sistema Integrado de Matrícula – SIMAT); student retention programs; and quality improvement plans for 53 participants; 51 department public officials, 2 municipal public officials (18 women) from 8 municipalities from the Catatumbo region. The workshop also taught participants about information reporting requirements for the National Level System for Primary Education (Sistema de Información Nacional de Educación Básica - SINEB) including enrollment statistics, number of SIMAT Workshop with MEN in Cúcuta teachers, financial information per school established in Resolution 166. This activity enabled municipal and departmental level education institutions to better understand MEN policies to promote and improve national and local level coordination in the education sector.

Observations

During the reporting period, coordination with the MEN was hampered due to the change of the Vice- minister. The political support of the new Vice-Minister, Isabel Segovia, is required before program activities can proceed. MSI experienced several weeks of delay in obtaining a meeting with Ms. Segovia.

Activities planned for April –June 2008

 April 24: Meeting with the new Vice-minister of MEN to re-establish CIMIENTOS program support and activities.

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 5 JANUARY – MARCH 2008  Support for the implementation of the “Peaceful Classrooms” (Aulas en Paz) project in 14 CIMIENTOS municipalities with IOM.

B. Component 2: Building governance capacity in targeted regions

Subcomponent 2.1: Transparency and accountability of regional and local governments Interagency Control Agreement (ICA)

MSI convened three meetings with the signatories of the ICA agreement – Prosecutor General’s Office (Fiscalía General de la Nación – FGN), National Inspector General’s Office (Procuraduría General de la Nación-PGN) and Controller General’s Office (Contraloría General de la República - CGR) – to plan the joint audits to be carried out in the first semester of 2008. MSI requested an analysis of the information each entity has on expenditures of royalties and national transfers (Sistema General de Participaciones – SGP) by CIMIENTOS departments and municipalities. The analysis will permit ICA members to prioritize visits to municipalities and departments, as well as which contracts merit inspection.

Transparency Index

Transparencia por Colombia calculated the index ranking of the participating 20 CIMIENTOS municipalities. Due to software complications, the index will be published and launched nationally in late May. Regional meetings to present the findings to the public administrations will also be held next quarter.

Transparency Pacts

Transparency pacts, promoted by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Program (Programa Presidencial de Lucha Contra la Corrupción – PPLCC), are voluntary agreements between mayors or governors and their constituents to express political commitment for a transparent administration and to encourage social auditing. The PPLCC director resigned in January and the new director, Oscar Ortiz, was appointed in late March. MSI met with Mr. Ortiz to gage PPLCC interest in reactivating these pacts, as well as other activities to facilitate transparency in CIMIENTOS regions. He expressed interest in collaborating closely with MSI.

General Observations

During the reporting period, the representative of the FGN, the leading ICA entity, has been relatively inactive and has not been available for meetings. In addition, each entity applies different methodologies for conducting audits or investigations, making joint efforts difficult to coordinate. The leadership role of ICA will be passed to the PGN in April 2008. This entity has expressed greater interest in participating in the CIMIENTOS program.

Activities planned for April – June 2008

 April 18: Planning meeting with PPLCC.  April - May: Establish regional activities timeline with ICA members.  June-July: Publication of Transparencia por Colombia’s Transparency Index and national and regional meetings to present results.

Subcomponent 2.2: Improve public administration and local governance Municipal and Departmental Development Plans

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 6 JANUARY – MARCH 2008 MSI’s analysis of public administrations in CIMIENTOS regions in 2007 concluded that program departments and municipalities are characterized by weak public management structures and low-level of understanding of their legal responsibilities. MSI subsequently identified technical assistance on Development Plan (Planes de Desarrollo – PDs) as a critical activity, given that these plans define how an administration will accomplish the activities established in the elected candidate’s campaign platform and guide the four years of public activities and expenditure of funds in a realistic, achievable and measurable manner. Chart 1describes the stages administrations must comply with in the formulation of a PD, as required by Law 152 issued in 1994. All stages must be completed by May 31.

During the quarter, all CIMIENTOS program CHART 1 : STAGES FOR DEVELOPMENT components and regional office teams worked PLAN FORMULATION – LAW 152, 1994 extensively towards the elaboration of PDs, according to the national government methodologies, legal norms Definition and registration of candidate’s platform and Constitutional Court decisions. MSI technical assistance focused on citizen participation as part of the formulation of the PD and the various roles of the Elections and inauguration of mayors and governors governor or mayor, the planning team, the cabinet, the Territorial Planning Council (Consejo Territorial de Formation of planning team responsible for Development Planeación - CTP) and the municipal council or Plan departmental assembly.

MSI also ensured that the PDs included strategies and Participatory assesment programs that respond to local and regional priorities, with particular emphasis on security, health, education, Preparation of first draft of Plan citizen participation, and institutional strengthening. The results achieved through MSI’s support have been Formation of CTP validated by formal public recognition by several mayors, including the mayors of Acandí, Carmen del Darién and Riosucio during the regional CCAI meeting Official comments on PD from CTP in March. Final modifications of Plan projects MSI provided this integrated support in 4 departments and 24 municipalities during 136 sessions with 1,390 beneficiaries (387 women, 813 afro-colombians, 43 Study of Plan and its adoption by the Municipal Council indigenous, 17 IDPs, 13 youths). The level of technical or Departmental Assembly assistance per department and municipality is detailed 1 Preparatory activities in Table 2 , corresponding to the following tools and practical exercises: Activities carried out for formulation of Plan

Activities for next quarter

1MSI provided the Chocó governor’s office and Dibulla mayor’s office with thematic and PD formulation and approval procedure guides. However, we have not been able to provide direct technical assistance due to lack of political will.

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 7 JANUARY – MARCH 2008 1. Institutional PD preparation. In January, MSI surveyed mayors, governors and other public officials responsible for municipal planning to establish their level of knowledge regarding the methodology for PD formulation and their progress in the “institutional preparation” stage during which planning teams working on PDs, the methodology, and timeline should be identified.

2. Thematic guides. Each of the five program components created a document TABLE 2: containing the basic topics and indicators MSI CONTRIBUTION TO DEVELOPMENT PLAN that should be included in the PDs, in FORMULATION TOOLS AND accordance with Colombian legal norms 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 and the needs identified by MSI based on ACTIVITIES baseline findings and previous program ATRATO activities. Chocó Acandí 3. CD compilation. MSI complied norms, Bojayá DNP manuals and other documents Carmen de

necessary for consultation for PD Atrato Carmen del formulation. The CDs were distributed to Darién all CIMIENTOS department and Murindó municipal planning offices. Riosucio 4. Technical assistance for assessments. Ungía MSI covered the majority of the CATATUMBO Norte de CIMIENTOS territories to promote assessment activities to define the Santander Abrego programs to be included in the PDs in Convención consultation with civil society actors. To El Carmen enhance MSI’s work in participation, the program trained municipal council El Tarra members in carrying out on site Hacarí assessments in distant rural areas for first- La Playa hand identification of community needs. Ocaña San Calixto 5. Technical assistance on first draft of PD. Teorama Following the assessment stage, MSI Tibú assisted the administrations’ planning SIERRA NEVADA teams in the formulation of the first draft Cesar of the PDs to ensure that programs and El Copey projects addressed the community Pueblo Bello priorities expressed during planning Valledupar sessions and complied with DNP La Guajira requirements. Dibulla 6. Formation of CTPs. MSI provided San Juan support to mayor’s offices to convene Magdalena CTPs and raise mayor’s offices awareness Aracata about the CTP role in the planning Ciénaga process. Fundación

7. Creation of brochure on CTP formation process. MSI created an informative brochure for mayors and governors describing the formation process and how to select citizens to become council members.

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 8 JANUARY – MARCH 2008 8. Creation of a guide for CTPs. MSI prepared a document containing recommendations for CTP members on the analysis of PD and a practical methodology to submit official comments on the plans.

9. Technical assistance to CTPs. MSI provided technical assistance to CTPs on the structure of the PD and the methodology for its analysis. Subsequently, MSI offered technical assistance to the CTPs so that they could provide comments on the first draft of the PDs in their capacity as community representatives.

10. Training for municipal councils and departmental assemblies. MSI trained both departmental assemblies and municipal councils on how to analyze a PD. This work began in the Sierra Nevada region and will continue next quarter before the deadline for approving the PDs at the end of May.

11. Presentation on PD analysis. MSI helped the CTPs, municipal councils and departmental assemblies understand their responsibilities according to norms, Constitutional Court decisions and examples of how to construct PD’s mission, vision and program strategies.

12. Identification of regional initiatives. MSI promoted the identification of regional initiatives such as participation in the Environmental Plan for the Sierra Nevada, (Plan Ambiental de la Sierra Nevada de ) for inclusion in Departmental Development Plans. MSI also participated in sub- regional exercises, sponsored by the governor’s offices of Cesar, Magdalena and Norte de Santander, to identify regional activities.

13. Participation in regional training activities. MSI participated in PD training activities led by DNP on PDD formulation and its articulation with PDM for the departments of Cesar, Chocó, La Guajira and Magdalena and trainings led by the governor’s offices of Norte de Santander and Magdalena.

Budgeting

Based on special requests for support, MSI provided technical assistance to the municipalities of Dibulla, Ocaña and Valledupar on budget revision, accounting, taxes and monetary settlements from past lawsuits.

Standard Internal Control Model (MECI) and Quality Management System (SGC)

MSI oriented the governor’s offices of Cesar and La Guajira on the integration of MECI (Modelo Éstandar de Control Interno) and SGC (Sistema de Gestión de la Calidad). MSI also assisted La Guajira on the elaboration of terms of reference for contracting a team that will support the process in the governor’s office. Support to the National Health Superintendent (SNS)

During the quarter, MSI provided technical assistance to the SNS with two concrete objectives. The first objective was to help review institutional procedures to identify activities necessary to implement SGC and MECI and to define services a consultancy firm will provide during this process. This institutional revision procedure was approved by the SNS’s Quality Department Committee (Comité de Dirección del SGC). The second objective was MSI support for the elaboration of an ethics and good governance code, which the SNS also approved.

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 9 JANUARY – MARCH 2008

Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs)

MSI signed MOUs with CIMIENTOS departments and municipalities to define common objectives and actions to promote regional governance, as well as to express political will and commitment. During the reporting period, MSI signed MOUs with 22 entities (Bajo y Medio Atrato: Governor of Chocó and Mayors of Acandí, Bojayá, Carmen del Atrato, Carmen del Darién, Murindó, Riosucio and Unguía; Catatumbo: Governor of Norte de Santander and Mayors of Convención, El Carmen, El Tarra, Hacarí and La Playa; Sierra Nevada: Governors of La Mayor of Pueblo Bello signing MOU Guajira and Cesar and Mayors of Dibulla, El Copey, Fundación, Pueblo Bello, San Juan and Valledupar).

General Observations

Field visits for technical assistance allowed MSI to detect institutional limitations of public administrations, such as difficultly in tax generation, lack of knowledge regarding the new public contracting regulation, the shortage of systematized information and the lack of inter-institutional coordination. In some cases these weaknesses are a result of a lack of political will. For example, public officials, including mayors, in Fundación and Dibulla were resistant to program support for their PD process. Nevertheless, MSI will continue to offer technical assistance in the final stages of the PD formulation to these two municipalities. In the case of the mayor’s office of Valledupar, MSI began providing assistance in the early stages of PD formulation; however in March rumors began about a possible investigation of the Mayor which resulted in the inability to further coordinate with this office. Additionally, the mayor elect of San Calixto was not authorized to take power due to legal proceedings against him, making it difficult to coordinate assistance in this municipality. Frequent clashes between the Colombian military and the FARC have prevented MSI staff from entering El Tarra. The ten hour travel time to Ocaña allowed public officials to attend only two sessions in Ocaña.

Finally, despite MSI guidance, several municipal administrations are failing to comply with PD legal requirements, exposing themselves to potential legal proceedings.

Activities planned for April – June 2008  May – June: Technical assistance to governor’s and mayor’s offices on budgeting processes and trainings on budget formulation in accordance with the new SGP norms.  May – June: Trainings on MECI and SGC as an integrated system.  June: Sessions with citizens to present content of PDs approved by municipal councils and departmental assemblies.  Continued technical assistance to governors, mayors, CTPs, municipal councils and departmental assemblies on PD formulation before the deadline for approval and the definition of a PD monitoring system.

Subcomponent 2.3: Increase institutional coordination among different governmental levels In efforts to support the PD process, MSI utilized national level methodologies, particularly “the Planning Process in Territorial Entities: The Development Plan and its tools for 2008 – 2011 management” (El proceso de planificación en las entidades territoriales: El plan de desarrollo y sus instrumentos par ala

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 10 JANUARY – MARCH 2008 gestión 2008 – 2011) guide developed by DNP. In addition, MSI facilitated the articulation between the Municipal Development Plans and Departmental Development Plans, including the promotion of projects for CIMIENTOS municipalities in their respective Departmental Development Plans.

General Observations

During the reporting period, MSI experienced difficulties coordinating efforts at the regional level. For example, in the La Guajira department, CIMIENTOS works in 2 out of the 15 municipalities in the department. For this reason, the governor is unwilling to prioritize working with MSI in regional efforts that only involve two of his department’s municipalities. The two municipalities, Dibulla and San Juan del Cesar are 5 hours away by car. Additionally, the Mayor of Dibulla has been reluctant to actively participate in MSI activities. Thus, MSI’s efforts to coordinate activities between these two municipalities have also been difficult. MSI has also experienced challenges coordinating regional efforts in the Chocó department. The governor’s office has been ignoring national legal requirements in the elaboration of their development plan and other administration topics, despite repeated warnings from MSI. The governor has also demonstrated a lack of interest in articulating with the department’s municipalities in the formulation of the departmental development plan. Activities planned for April – June 2008  April - June: Continued technical assistance to governors and mayor’s offices for the incorporation of CIMIENTOS municipal projects and programs that will have regional impact in the Departmental Development Plans.

C. Cross-cutting component: Civil Society

During the reporting period, MSI focused on two key activities: 1) training workshops for citizens and public officials on the USAID Hagamos Control methodology for social audits; and 2) community assemblies (mesas de concertación) to identify Bases projects. In addition, MSI began the project, “Citizen Radio Stations: Spaces for democracy and social development” with the Ministry of Culture, Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia (UNAD) and the Pan-American Development Foundation (PADF).

Hagamos Control – social auditing In promotion of social auditing in CIMIENTOS regions, MSI conducted four workshops on the USAID methodology Hagamos Control Ciudadano in San Juan del Cesar, Ocaña, Abrego and El Copey for 120 representatives (54 women, 2 afro-colombians) of civil society organizations (see Table 3 for a detailed breakdown). The workshops train leaders to carry out citizen control of public management in order to positively influence public service provision in health and education, while raising awareness on citizen rights and responsibilities. In addition, beneficiaries are trained in project formulation for potential future program financing of social auditing projects. During the four sessions, eight proposals for social audit projects in education and health were presented to MSI.

MSI held two additional workshops in San Juan del Cesar and El Copey with 42 public officials from municipal administrations and council members to raise their awareness on the role of citizens in social auditing of public administrations. In these sessions, MSI shared with public officials the proactive and non-confrontational Hagamos Control methodology that citizens will apply in conducting social audits in their municipalities. Through these trainings, public officials become less resistant to citizen control and are open to assisting citizens in carrying out audit projects. As a result of these trainings, public officials

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 11 JANUARY – MARCH 2008 recognize the importance of maintaining transparency in the management of their administrations as well as the utility of the social audits.

TABLE 3: HAGAMOS CONTROL WORKSHOPS

Date Location Beneficiaries

TOTAL 24 (7 women): 16 municipal San Juan del public officials, 1 national February 14 Cesar governmental public official, 7 council members

San Juan del February 15 TOTAL 28 citizens (23 women) Cesar TOTAL 27 citizens (12 women, 2 March 7-8 Ocaña afro-Colombians)

TOTAL 25 ( 7 women): March 26-27 Abrego 2 departmental public officials

March 27 El Copey TOTAL 18 public officials(7 women)

Total 40 (12 women): 1 municipal March 28 El Copey public official, 39 citizens

Bases Projects During the quarter, MSI held eleven community assemblies (mesas de concertación) in the three CIMIENTOS regions to identify community-led initiatives for small infrastructure improvement projects. Participants included teachers, parents, student representatives, municipal education secretaries, Directores de Nucleo, former students, health secretaries, hospital directors, health service administrators and civil society representatives from womens youth and afro- colombian groups and Juntas de Acción Communal. In these mesas de concertación, MSI was able to bring about consensus over the municipal priorities for small projects Mesa de concertación in Acandí between citizens and public administrations.

Both municipal administrations and community members pledged matching contributions for the projects identified. In the Norte de , six mesas de concertación (Teorama, La Playa, Convención, San Calixto, Hacarí, Tibú) were held with 67 community members and 55 public official participants (58 women, 2 afro-colombians, 3 IDPs, 4 youths). In the Chocó department, two community assemblies (Bojayá, Unguía) were held, with 121 community members and 14 public officials (89 women, 113 afro-colombians, 28 IDPs). In the Sierra Nevada region, 165 citizens and 14 public officials participated (138 women, 5 afro-colombians, 5 indigenous, 17 IDPs, 15 youths). The breakdown of each community assembly is included in Table 4.

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 12 JANUARY – MARCH 2008 The impact these assemblies achieve is the recognition between actors to promote consensus-based decisions in the collective interest of the municipality. For example, in the municipality of La Playa, 29 community members and government officials arrived at the assembly proposing a variety of projects. Participants proposed twelve projects with no real consensus. An official from the local public hospital Isabel Celis Yañez arrived late and suggested yet another project to repair the municipality’s ambulance badly damaged in an accident a year ago. Immediately, participants agreed that their own priorities were secondary. Both government officials and community offered to provide in-kind contributions towards this potential Bases project to repair the ambulance.

TABLE 4: BASES PROJECT TOWN ASSEMBLIES

Date Location Beneficiaries

TOTAL 13 ( 9 women, 1 afro- February 21 Teorama colombian, 2 IDPs): 3 municipal public officials, 10 citizens

TOTAL 29 ( 16 women, 3 youths): 13 February 21 La Playa municipal public officials, 16 citizens

TOTAL 19 ( 10 women, 1 youth, 1 February 22 Convención IDP): 10 municipal public officials, 9 citizens TOTAL 84 (60 women, 83 afro- colombians, 9 youths, 18 IDPs): 3 February 28 Bojayá municipal public officials, 4 departmental public officials, 77 citizens

TOTAL 69 (29 women, 67 afro- colombians, 4 IDPs): 5 municipal public officials, 5 departmental February 29 Unguía public officials, 1 national governmental public official, 7 council members, 51 citizens

TOTAL 15 ( 7 women): 11 municipal March 13 Tibú public officials, 4 citizens

TOTAL 79 (71 women, 7 youths, March 13 Ciénaga 9 IDPs): 3 municipal public officials, 76 citizens TOTAL 37 (17 women, 2 afro- colombians, 3 youths, 2 IDPs): 5 March 14 Pueblo Bello municipal public officials, 4 council members, 28 citizens

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 13 JANUARY – MARCH 2008 Date Location Beneficiaries

TOTAL 17 (4 women): 2 municipal March 17 San Calixto public officials, 4 council members, 11 citizens TOTAL 21 (5 women): 8 municipal public officials, 1 council member, 1 March 18 Hacarí departmental public official, 11 citizens TOTAL 59 (47 women, 3 afro- San Juan del colombians, 5 indigenous, 5 youths, March 26 Cesar 6 IDPs): 1 municipal public official, 58 citizens

Radios Ciudadanas MSI, in alliance with the Ministry of Culture, UNAD and PADF, began the “Citizen Radio Stations: Spaces for democracy and social development” project. CIMIENTOS supported 22 beneficiaries (16 afro-colombians, 2indigenous community leaders, 17 youths, 1 departmental public official, 5 municipal public officials, 1 council member) from the municipalities of Acandí, Bojayá, Carmen del Atrato, Carmen de Darién, Riosucio and Ungía. Participants were trained on communication strategies to create and/or strengthen community radio stations. Community radio is a particularly effective means of communication for the afro-colombian community in the department of Chocó, given the distance between communities, the relatively high rates of illiteracy and the region's oral-based culture. The radio programs will provide opportunities for community leaders to become informed about and host dynamic discussions on governance issues.

Activities planned for April – June 2008  April 17 – 19: Advanced Participation Methodology workshop in Ocaña.  April 22 – 24: Advanced Participation Methodology workshop for the Sierra Nevada region.  Additional workshops with civil society leaders on social audits using the Hagamos Control methodology.  Support to the development and implementation of social auditing projects in health and education.  Training of trainers workshops on practical exercises to replicate the Hagamos Control methodology.  Formation of municipal level groups to develop citizen social audit strategies.  Implementation of Bases projects.

III. ACTIVITIES AND CONTEXT AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL

A. National Level

MSI worked with the SNS on MECI and SGC and to review its proposed ethics code and create the Quality and Good Governance Committee to monitor code compliance. Table 5 describes the beneficiaries and type of activity provided by MSI to the SNS at the national level during the reporting period.

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 14 JANUARY – MARCH 2008 TABLE 5: ACTIVITIES AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL

Date Activity Beneficiaries Technical assistance in MECI January 15 SNS: 2 public officials (2 women) and SGC Technical assistance in MECI February 14 and SGC – Ethics Code SNS: 2 public officials (2 women) revision

Technical assistance in MECI SNS: 2 public officials (2 women) February 16 and SGC – Ethics Code revision Technical assistance in MECI February 19 SNS: 2 public officials (2 women) and SGC Technical assistance in MECI February 29 SNS: 2 public officials (2 women) and SGC Technical assistance in MECI SNS: 2 public officials (2 women) March 26 and SGC

B. Bajo and Medio Atrato

Public Order and Security Conditions

On Sunday March 2, two MSI staff members (Field Supervisor and Bajo and Medio Atrato Coordinator) were traveling by boat on the Gulf of Urubá from Turbo to Riosucio, where they were to explore the opening of a satellite office for the Bajo and Medio Atrato region. The boat capsized due to the inexperience of the driver and the overloading of weight on the boat. Both MSI staff were badly burnt (second degree burns on 30% of their body) from the hot gasoline which leaked from the motor, while waiting for three hours in the ocean to be rescued. Two Chocoanos died in the accident.

During the second and third week of March, program activities in the Bajo Atrato were suspended as a preventative measure due to warnings of possible guerilla activity. This followed the FARC kidnapping of six people in Nuquí and three telephone company technicians on the road between Carmen del Atrato and Quibdó.

Program Highlights

In January, MSI opened the program office in the Bajo and Medio Atrato regional office in Quibdó. Five staff members were contracted, including the regional coordinator, monitoring and evaluation expert two social promoters and administrative assistant.

On February 12, MSI met with five mayors and the governor’s office of the mainly Afro-Colombian Bajo and Medio Atrato region to sign memorandums of understanding (MOUs) and to identify priorities for program support in 2008. The MOUs represent program commitment to work closely with these public officials, offering a range of technical assistance in health, education, security, public administration and citizen participation.

During the reporting period, the critical health situation in Chocó continued to draw national attention, particularly in Rioscucio, due to the high levels of infant malnutrition, illness-related deaths amongst

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 15 JANUARY – MARCH 2008 minors such as diarrhea and insufficient medical professionals present in the municipality. To address this situation, MSI provided technical assistance to the municipalities of Bojayá, Riosucio, Acandí, Unguia, Carmen del Darién and Murindó on the preparation of the Territorial Health Plan and the Municipal Development Plan, as well as how to include priorities of the former into the latter plan to confront the difficulties these municipalities face in the health sector. A total of 128 people participated in these sessions, including mayors, presidents of the municipal council, representatives from health service providers, personeros, directors of the local hospitals and community leaders.

MSI made a noteworthy effort to include citizens in the PD process. MSI hosted meetings between a total of 522 citizens and 319 public administration officials in all CIMIENTOS municipalities in the region. The sessions consisted of technical assistance and trainings to identify priorities and assist in the general formulation process.

Towards the promotion of citizen participation, MSI held two mesas de concertación (Bojayá, Unguía) with the participation of 121 citizens and 14 public officials to identify Bases projects.

Finally, MSI, in alliance with the Ministry of Culture, UNAD and PADF, began the project, “Citizen Radio Stations: Spaces for democracy and social development”. Forty afrocolombian and indigenous community leaders and 12 public officials from the municipalities of Acandí, Bojayá, Carmen del Atrato, Carmen de Darién, Riosucio and Ungía were trained on communication strategies to strengthen community radio stations.

Table 6 contains the complete list of MSI activities and corresponding beneficiaries in the Bajo and Medio Atrato region during the reporting period.

TABLE 6: ACTIVITIES IN BAJO AND MEDIO ATRATO Date Activity Location Beneficiaries TOTAL 22 (3 women, 22 afro- Technical assistance in colombians): 11 municipal Municipal Development public officials, 2 national January 15-16 Unguía Plan (Plan de Desarrollo government public officials, Municipal-PDM) 4 council members, 5 citizens TOTAL 75 (17 women, 74 afro-colombians, 1 Technical assistance in indigenous): 13 municipal January 17-18 Acandí PDM public officials, 1 department public official,4 council members, 57 citizens TOTAL 33 (6 women, 33 afro- Technical assistance in colombians): 4 municipal January 19 Acandí PDM public officials, 5 council members, 24 citizens TOTAL 79 (16 women, 79 Technical assistance in afro-colombians): 15 January 22 Riosucio PDM municipal public officials, 3 council members, 61 citizens

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 16 JANUARY – MARCH 2008 Date Activity Location Beneficiaries TOTAL 51 (6 women, 51 afro- Technical assistance in colombians): 12 municipal January 23 Riosucio PDM public officials, 5 council members, 34 citizens TOTAL 45 (5 women, 42 afro- colombians): 4 municipal Technical assistance in Carmen January 24-25 public officials, 1 PDM del Darién department public official, 1 council member, 36 citizens TOTAL 7: (1 woman, 6 afro- Action plan to colombians): 2 municipal January 28 Murindó formulate PDM public officials, 4 council members, 1 citizen TOTAL 30 (8 women, 26 afro- colombians, 4 indigenous): Workshop on 13 municipal public officials, January 29-30 Murindó participative PDM 2 department public officials, 5 council members, 10 citizens TOTAL 23 (2 women, 19 afro- colombians, 5 indigenous): 9 Technical assistance in municipal public officials, 1 January 31 Bojayá PDM national government public official, 2 council members, 11 citizens TOTAL 24 (6 women): 12 Carmen municipal public officials, 1 February 5 Workshop on PDM de Atrato mayor, 4 council members, 7 citizens TOTAL 36 (3 women, 34 afro- colombians): 9 municipal public officials, 7 Technical assistance in February 5 - 6 Riosucio department public officials, PDM to mayor’s team 1 national government public official, 3 council members, 16 citizens TOTAL 7 (2 women, 7 afro- colombians): 3 municipal Training on Territorial February 5 Bojayá public officials, 2 Health Plan department public officials, 1 council member, 1 citizen TOTAL 10 (10 afro- Technical assistance in February 6 Riosucio colombians): 10 council PDM members

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 17 JANUARY – MARCH 2008 Date Activity Location Beneficiaries TOTAL 11 (2 women): 4 Training on Territorial Carmen municipal public officials, 4 February 7 Health Plan de Atrato department public officials, 3 council members PDM analysis Carmen TOTAL 7 council members (7 February 8 introduction – Municipal del Darién afro-colombians) council TOTAL 12 (4 women, 8 afro- Technical assistance in colombians, 2 indigenous): 9 February 8 Murindó Territorial Health Plan municipal public officials, 3 council members TOTAL 57 (18 women, 48 afro-colombians, 5 indigenous, 10 youths, 4 IDPs): 7 municipal public Technical assistance in February 9 Murindó officials, 3 department PDM public officials, 2 national government public officials, 4 council members, 41 citizens TOTAL 8 (2 women, 8 afro- Technical assistance in February 10 Murindó colombians): 7 municipal PDM public officials, 1 citizen Technical assistance on methodology in TOTAL 14 (6 women, 14 afro- February 10 municipal analysis on Acandí colombians): 13 municipal PDM formulation with public officials, 1 mayor mayor and his team Municipal community TOTAL 1(1 woman): 1 February 11 participation Acandí municipal public official assessment Technical assistance in TOTAL 11(3 women, 11 afro- February 12 PDM to Municipal Acandí colombians): 11 council Council members TOTAL 3 (2 women, 3 afro- Support on heath and colombians): 2 municipal February 12 education sections for Acandí public officials, 1 PDM department public official Technical assistance in TOTAL 5 (5 women): 5 February 12 PDM with gender Acandí citizens perspective TOTAL 10 (1 woman, 9 afro- Methodology definition February 13 Bojayá colombians, 1 indigenous): for PDM 10 council members

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 18 JANUARY – MARCH 2008 Date Activity Location Beneficiaries TOTAL 20 (5 women, 20 afro- colombians): 3 municipal Technical assistance in public officials, 2 February 14 assessment and work Unguía department public officials, plan for PDM 3 council members, 12 citizens TOTAL 16 (5 women, 16 afro- colombians): 1 municipal Work group for PDM February 15 Unguía public official, 1 department assessment public official, 4 council members, 10 citizens Training in PDM to TOTAL 8 (8 afro-colombians): February 16 Unguía Municipal Council 8 council members TOTAL 7 (2 women, 7 afro- PDM revision and colombians): 6 municipal February 18 Riosucio evaluation public officials, 1 department public official TOTAL 5 (4 afro-colombians): assessment on February 18 Riosucio 1 municipal public official, 4 education for PDM department public officials Technical assistance in TOTAL 5 (5 afro-colombians): February 19 PDM to Municipal Bojayá 5 council members Council TOTAL 2 (2 afro-colombians): Training to mayor in February 19 Riosucio 1 municipal public official, 1 PDM mayor TOTAL 4 (4 women, 4 afro- Technical assistance in February 19 Acandí colombians): 3 municipal Territorial Health Plan public officials, 1 citizen Introduction and TOTAL 11(1 woman, 10 afro- preparation to Territorial February 19 Riosucio colombians): 2 municipal Planning Council in public officials, 9 citizens PDM TOTAL 1 (1 woman, 1 afro- Technical assistance in February 19-20 Riosucio colombian): 1 municipal Territorial Health Plan public official Meeting with civil TOTAL 15 (10 women, 10 February 20 society organizations to Bojayá afro-colombians, 2 youths, 3 define programs in PDM IDPs): 15 citizens TOTAL 10 (2 women, 10 afro- February 20 Data collection for PDM Riosucio colombians): 8 municipal public officials, 2 citizens

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 19 JANUARY – MARCH 2008 Date Activity Location Beneficiaries TOTAL 12 ( 6 women, 7 afro- colombians, 2 youths, 1 IDP): Training in Territorial 5 municipal public officials, 1 February 20 Acandí Health Plan national government public official, 1 council member, 5 citizens Introduction to PDM TOTAL 8 (8 afro-colombians): February 20 analysis – Municipal Riosucio 8 council members Council TOTAL 13 (7 women, 8 afro- Technical assistance in February 21 Riosucio colombians): 6 municipal PDM public officials, 7 citizens Technical assistance in Carmen TOTAL: 1 (1 afro-colombian): February 21 Territorial Health Plan del Darien 1 municipal public official Introduction to PDM TOTAL 9 (9 afro-colombians): Carmen February 21-22 analysis – Municipal 1 municipal public officials, 8 del Darién Council council members Technical assistance in TOTAL 6 (6 afro-colombians): February 22 Unguía Territorial Health Plan 6 municipal public officials Technical assistance in TOTAL 9 (8 afro-colombians, identification of 1 indigenous): 4 municipal strengths and February 22 Bojayá public officials, 1 weaknesses and department public official, 4 secondary data citizens collection for PDM TOTAL 41(7 women, 32 afro- colombians, 9 indigenous, 4 Priorities identification IDPs, 1 youth ): 1 municipal February 23 Bojayá for PDM public official, 1 department public official, 1 mayor, 4 council members, 34 citizens TOTAL 3 (1 woman, 3 afro- PDM methodology Carmen February 23 colombian): 3 municipal revision del Darién public officials PDM introduction and TOTAL 1 (1 afro-colombian): February 25 Acandí analysis 1 municipal public official TOTAL 6 (3 women, 4 afro- Technical assistance in February 26 Acandí colombians): 6 municipal PDM public officials Introduction to PDM TOTAL 11 (3 women, 11 afro- February 26 analysis – Municipal Acandí colombians): 11 council Council members Training to PDM work TOTAL 6 (1 women): 6 February 27 Murindó team municipal public officials

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 20 JANUARY – MARCH 2008 Date Activity Location Beneficiaries TOTAL 84 (60 women, 83 Mesa de concertación afro-colombians, 9 youths, Bojayá – February 28 to identify possible 18 IDPs): 3 municipal public La Loma Bases projects officials, 4 department public officials, 77 citizens TOTAL 20 (6 women, 20 afro- colombians): 6 municipal PDM analysis public officials, 1 national February 28 Unguía introduction government public official, 10 council members, 3 citizens TOTAL 69 (29 women, 67 afro-colombians, 4 IDPs): 5 municipal public officials, 5 Technical assistance in February 29 Unguía department public officials, PDM dissemination 1 national government public official, 7 council members, 51 citizens TOTAL 48 (27 women, 30 Mesa de concertación afro-colombians, 15 youths, February 29 to identify possible Acandí 10 IDPs): 5 municipal public Bases projects officials, 1 council member, 42 citizens TOTAL 56 (42 women, 14 Technical assistance Carmen afro-colombians): 1 March 3 PDM – education sector de Atrato municipal public official, 55 department public officials Technical assistance TOTAL 32 (28 women, 1 afro- Carmen March 3 PDM – Municipal colombian, 2 IDPs): 32 de Atrato Council citizens TOTAL 22 (2 women, 16 afro- Citizen radio project in colombians, 2 indigenous, 17 Chocó – first training youths): 5 municipal public March 6-9 Quibdó session officials, 1 department public official, 1 council member, 15 citizens Training to Territorial TOTAL 11 (5 women, 11 afro- March 25-26 Planning Council – PDM Acandí colombians): 11 citizens methodology TOTAL 22 (2 women, 16 afro- colombians, 2 indigenous, 17 Citizen radio project in youths): 5 municipal public March 27-29 Chocó – second Quibdó officials, 1 department training session public official, 1 council member, 15 citizens

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 21 JANUARY – MARCH 2008 Date Activity Location Beneficiaries TOTAL 17 (4 women, 13 afro- Training to Territorial March 28 Unguía colombians): 8 council Planning Council members, 9 citizens Training to Territorial TOTAL 13 (2 women, 10 afro- March 29 Planning Council on Unguía colombians): 3 council PDM revision members, 1 mayor, 9 citizens

C. Catatumbo

Public Order and Security Conditions

The mayor elect for San Calixto was unable to take office due to an outstanding sentence forbidding him to hold public positions. The departmental government appointed an interim mayor until May 18, when new elections will take place.

On March 23, a cardiologist was kidnapped in a rural area of Ocaña on the road between Ocaña and El Carmen. The municipality of El Tarra continues to present precarious security conditions due to confrontations between the FARC and the military. MSI has been unable to visit this municipality, particularly given the situation on the road between Convención and El Tarra. The road is very difficult to transit, there are few formal transport companies willing to drive to El Tarra and there is a strong presence of illegally armed groups on the road.

Program Highlights

On January 10, MSI signed a fixed price contract with the Asociación de Municipios de la Provincia de Ocaña Sur del Cesar y Bolívar to operate the regional office in Ocaña as the program’s implementing partner (socio local) in the Catatumbo region.

Through technical assistance and training sessions, MSI promoted the articulation of the municipal and departmental plans through a regional planning focus. MSI held a total of 11 sessions for 139 people from the municipal administrations, municipal councils and CTPs. MSI provided tools to beneficiaries to analyze the PDs and understand their roles in the municipal and departmental planning process. Under the Citizen Participation Component, MSI held two Hagamos Control workshops with 52 citizens and public officials (21 women, 2 afro-colombians) and six mesas de concertación to identify Bases projects with 67 citizens and 55 public officials participated (58 women, 2 afro-colombians, 3 IDPs, youths). Table 7 includes a complete list of the beneficiaries and type of activity provided by MSI in the Catatumbo region during the reporting period.

TABLE 7: ACTIVITIES IN CATATUMBO Date Activity Location Beneficiaries PDM analysis TOTAL 30: 9 mayors, 21 municipal January 25 Ocaña introduction public officials (12 women) Workshop to explain TOTAL 53 (18 women): 2 municipal the application January 26 Cúcuta public officials, 51 department public of SIMAT to 8 officials municipalities

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 22 JANUARY – MARCH 2008 Date Activity Location Beneficiaries Meeting to explain the PDM methodology to January 28- the Norte de Cúcuta TOTAL 22: 22 municipal public officials 29 Santander Governor’s office Technical assistance in TOTAL 12 (4 women): 12 municipal February 4-5 Convención PDM public officials Technical assistance to TOTAL 23 (8 women): 23 municipal February 8-9 Ocaña planning team in PDM public officials Mesa de concertación TOTAL 13 ( 9 women, 1 afro- February 21 to identify possible Teorama colombians, 2 IDPs): 3 municipal Bases projects public officials, 10 citizens Mesa de concertación TOTAL 29 ( 16 women, 3 youths): 13 February 21 to identify possible La Playa municipal public officials, 16 citizens Bases projects Mesa de concertación TOTAL 19 ( 10 women, 1 youth, 1 February 22 to identify possible Convención IDPs): 10 municipal public officials, 9 Bases projects citizens Meeting with February 22 departmental Cúcuta TOTAL 2: 2 municipal public officials planning team Technical assistance Follow-up meeting – TOTAL 8 ( 1 woman): 8 municipal February 26 PDM for Hacarí, Ocaña public officials Abrego, Tibú, La Playa, El Carmen and Ocaña Technical assistance Follow-up meeting – TOTAL 7 ( 2 women, 1afro-

February 27 PDM for Teorama, colombian): 7 municipal public Convención Convención y San officials Calixto March 7 Workshop on PDM Ocaña TOTAL 2: 2 municipal public officials “Hagamos Control” TOTAL 27 ( 12 women, 2 afro- March 7-8 Ocaña workshop Colombians): 27 citizens Technical assistance in TOTAL 13 (5 women, 2 afro- March 12-14 Territorial Health Plan Cúcuta Colombians): 10 municipal public for 8 municipalities officials, 3 department public officials Training to territorial TOTAL 11 ( 1 woman): 6 municipal March 13 planning council Ocaña public officials, 1 council member, 4 members citizens Mesa de concertación TOTAL 15 ( 7 women): 11 municipal March 13 to identify possible Tibú public officials, 4 citizens Bases projects

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 23 JANUARY – MARCH 2008 Date Activity Location Beneficiaries Training to Territorial TOTAL 10 ( 5 women): 7 municipal March 14 Planning Council Ocaña public officials, 3 citizens members March 14 Baseline revision Ocaña TOTAL 1: 1 municipal public official Mesa de concertación TOTAL 17 (4 women): 2 municipal March 17 to identify possible San Calixto public officials, 4 council members, Bases projects 11 citizens Mesa de concertación TOTAL 21 (5 women): 8 municipal March 18 to identify possible Hacarí public officials, 1 council member, 1 Bases projects department public official, 11 citizens “Hagamos Control” TOTAL 25 ( 7 women): 2 department March 26-27 Abrego workshop public official, 23 citizens Training to Territorial TOTAL 11 ( 2 women): 1 municipal March 31 Planning Council on Ocaña public officials, 2 department public PDM responsibilities officials, 8 citizens

D. Sierra Nevada

Program Highlights

During the reporting period, MSI signed MOUs with the governors of Cesar and La Guajira and the mayors of El Copey, Pueblo Bello, Dibulla and San Juan del Cesar.

On February 6, MSI signed a fixed price contract with the Federación Nacional de Cafeteros (Cesar- Guajira and Magdalena branches of the Comités de Cafeteros) to operate the regional office in Valledupar with a satellite office in Santa Marta, as the program’s implementing partner (socio local) in the Sierra Nevada region

In technical assistance and trainings on PD formulation and Territorial Health Plans, MSI worked with a total of 340 citizens and public officials. As part of a regional strategy, MSI promoted the inclusion in the PDs of the Acción Social-sponsored construction of new indigenous towns (pueblos talanqueras) to provide better living conditions of indigenous communities in the Sierra Nevada region. By earmarking financial resources in the PD municipal support for this initiative will be possible. MSI also supported meetings with the Tayrona Indigenous Council, including Arhuacos, Koguis and Arsarios authorities, to present the conclusions of the indigenous health management workshops held in the previous quarter.

Under the Citizen Participation Component, activities included four “Hagamos Control” workshops with 68 citizens and 42 public officials. A total of 154 citizens and 14 public officials participated in mesas de concertación to identify potential Bases projects. Table 8 contains the beneficiaries and type of activity provided by MSI in the Sierra Nevada region during the reporting period.

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 24 JANUARY – MARCH 2008 TABLE 8: ACTIVITIES IN SIERRA NEVADA Date Activity Location Beneficiaries TOTAL 16: 3 municipal public officials, Technical assistance to 1 department public official, 10 nation January 9 Valledupar Security Council governmental public officials, 1 mayor, 1 citizen Work plan definition - January 28 Valledupar TOTAL 20: 20 municipal public officials PDM Technical assistance in TOTAL 6 (3 women, 1 afro-colombian): January 28 Valledupar PDM 6 municipal public officials TOTAL 11 (3 women): 8 municipal Technical assistance in San Juan del public officials, 1 department public January 29 PDM Cesar official, 1 national government public official, I council member Work plan definition – TOTAL 4 (1 woman): 4 department February 1 Magdalena Santa Marta public officials Development plan Workshop with Armarios, Los Besotes- February 1-3 Arhuacos and Koguis TOTAL 52 ( 52 indigenous): 52 citizens Valledupar on health policy TOTAL 10 (8 women): 7 municipal Technical assistance in February 7 El Copey public officials, 3 department public PDM officials TOTAL 10 (2 women): 7 municipal Technical assistance in public officials, 1 national government January 7 Pueblo Bello PDM public official,1 mayor, 1 council member Training in PDD - TOTAL 11 department public officials February 13 Santa Marta Governor’s office (5 women) Training in PDM – February 13 Ciénaga TOTAL 1 municipal public official Mayor’s office Technical assistance in TOTAL 14 municipal public officials (3 February 13 Ciénaga PDM – Mayor’s office women) “Hagamos control” TOTAL 24 (7 women): 16 municipal San Juan del February 14 workshop for public public officials, 1 national government César officials public official, 7 council members “Hagamos control” San Juan del February 15 TOTAL 28 citizens (23 women) workshop for citizens César Technical assistance in February 15 Aracataca TOTAL 1 municipal public official PDM Work Plan definition for February 15 Fundación TOTAL 1 municipal public official PDM February 18 Training in PDD Santa Marta TOTAL 11 departmental public officials

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 25 JANUARY – MARCH 2008 Date Activity Location Beneficiaries TOTAL 22 (17 women, 2 afro- Social and health February 19 Valledupar colombians, 4 indigenous): 15 policy for PDD of public officials, 7 citizens TOTAL 28 (10 women): 4 municipal Participation definition Codazzi, public officials, 3 nation governmental February 20 in PDD of Cesar Cesar public officials, 2 council members, 19 citizens TOTAL 6 department public officials February 25 PDD revision Valledupar (2 women) Technical assistance in TOTAL 5 municipal public officials (4 February 28 Ciénaga health planning women) Technical assistance in TOTAL 4: 3 municipal public officials, 1 February 29 Aracataca health planning council member Technical assistance in TOTAL 3 municipal public officials (1 February 29 Fundación health planning woman) Technical assistance in TOTAL 5 municipal public officials (1 March 5 Fundación health planning woman) TOTAL 24 (12 women, 8 indigenous): 5 Planning session on March 6-7 Fundación municipal public officials, 3 health- PDM department public officials, 16 citizens Training to Territorial TOTAL 11 (3 women, 2 indigenous): 2 March 8 Pueblo Bello Planning Council municipal public officials, 9 citizens TOTAL 2 municipal public officials (1 March 11 PDM revision Dibulla woman) TOTAL 1 department public official (1 March 11 PDD revision Valledupar woman) Training to Departmental TOTAL 19 (1 woman): 2 municipal March 11 Assembly and Valledupar public officials, 13 council members, Municipal Council on 4 assembly members PDM Technical assistance TOTAL 13 (5 women): 10 municipal March 12-14 Territorial Health Plan – Cúcuta public officials, 3 department public working session officials Technical assistance March 12 on PDM to Territorial Valledupar TOTAL 13 CTP members (7 women) Planning Council TOTAL 15 (9 women, 2 afro- colombians, 2 indigenous): 2 Technical assistance municipal public officials, 4 March 12 on PDM to Territorial department public officials, Planning Council 2 nation governmental public officials, 7 citizens

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 26 JANUARY – MARCH 2008 Date Activity Location Beneficiaries Mesa de concertación TOTAL 79 (71 women, 7 youths, March 13 to identify possible Ciénaga 9 IDPs): 3 municipal public officials, 76 Bases projects citizens Microveedurías San Juan del TOTAL 10 citizens (7 women, 1 afro- March 13 projects support Cesar colombian, 1 indigenous) Technical assistance March 13 on PDM to Territorial Pueblo Bello TOTAL 6 CTP members Planning Council Technical assistance TOTAL 10 (4 women, 2 indigenous): 1 March 13 on PDM to Territorial Valledupar municipal public official, 1 national Planning Council government public official, 8 citizens TOTAL 37 (17 women, 2 afro- Mesa de concertación colombians, 3 youths, 2 IDPs): 5 March 14 to identify possible Pueblo Bello municipal public officials, 4 council Bases projects members, 28 citizens Training to Territorial Planning Council and TOTAL 16 (6 women): 2 assembly March 14 Departmental Santa Marta members, 13 citizens; indirect Assembly of beneficiary: 1 mayor Magdalena Technical assistance TOTAL 8 (1 woman): 1 municipal March 14 El Copey on PDM public official, 7 council members TOTAL 13 (2 women, 1 indigenous): Technical assistance 2 municipal public officials, 3 March 15 on PDM to Territorial El Copey department public officials, 2 mayors, Planning Council 6 citizens TOTAL 15 (4 women, 4 indigenous, 2 Training to Territorial San Juan del March 17 youths): 2 municipal public officials, 13 Planning Council Cesar citizens Training to Municipal San Juan del March 17 TOTAL 7 council members Council on PDM Cesar Technical assistance TOTAL 5 (5 women): 2 municipal March 25 Bases projects Ciénaga public officials, 3 citizens presentation TOTAL 59 (47 women, 3 afro- Mesa de concertación San Juan del colombians, 5 indigenous, 5 youths, 6 March 26 to identify possible Cesar IDPs): 1 municipal public official, Bases projects 58 citizens Technical assistance San Juan del March 26 on microveedurías TOTAL 4 citizens (3 women, 1 youth) Cesar projects Territorial Health Plan TOTAL 4 department public officials (1 March 27 Riohacha revision woman)

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 27 JANUARY – MARCH 2008 Date Activity Location Beneficiaries “Hagamos control” TOTAL 18 municipal public officials (7 March 27 workshop for public El Copey women) officials “Hagamos control” TOTAL 40 (12 women): 1 municipal March 27 El Copey workshop for citizens public official, 39 citizens Territorial Health Plan TOTAL 3 municipal public officials (2 March 28 Dibulla revision women) Technical assistance San Juan del March 31 on microveedurías TOTAL 5 citizens (5 women) Cesar projects

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 28 JANUARY – MARCH 2008 IV. INDICATORS MATRIX

The Tables 9 and 10 below summarize the indicators applicable during the fiscal year 2008 (FY08).

TABLE 9: USAID / ACCIÓN SOCIAL INDICATORS

Indicator Progress FY08 Citizen confidence in democratic institutions in Baseline TBD through DIMS the consolidation zones Government agencies strengthened in zones undergoing consolidation 28 Citizen participation initiatives supported in governance consolidation zones 3

TABLE 10: CONTRACT INDICATORS

Indicator Progress FY08 # Targeted departments and municipalities where at least one candidate signs a 1 department, 6 municipalities #transparency Anchor CSO pact and CSO initiative grants awarded to promote civil society engagement 1 CSO initiative grant awarded # Targeted departments and municipalities where voter education programs have been 5 departments, 25 municipalities completed # Targeted departments and municipalities with public debates among candidates 3 departments, 2 municipalities # Targeted departments and municipalities implementing hand-over and accountability 4 departments, 18 municipalities #processes Small project/oversight grants awarded to promote citizen/government cooperation 2 Bases projects awarded Dollar amount managed effectively to support logistical costs related to execution of priority $13,103 aspects of the Interagency Control Agreement (ICA).

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 29 JANUARY – MARCH 2008 V. CASE STUDY

Citizens Have a Say in Riosucio: USAID promotes citizen participation in Municipal Development Plan

Prior to the arrival of the USAID CIMIENTOS program in Riosucio, citizens were not aware of the existence of the municipal development plan (MDP), the main public policy instrument during the four- year term of the local administration. Despite a 1994 Colombian law explicitly requiring citizen participation in the formulation and approval of these plans, mayors did not invite citizens to take part in the municipal planning process.

This situation changed on February 5 beginning with a meeting with the mayor of Riosucio, Jorge Isaac Caicedo. The mayor of Riosucio previously had no intention of inviting citizens to participate in discussions for the preparations of the MDP. USAID explained the benefits of working with communities: understanding their priorities, building consensus and a sense of buy-in given that his constituents would have a say in priorities over the next four years. These benefits, coupled with the legal obligation, prompted Mayor Caicedo to invite citizens from all of Riosucio, including remote rural areas, to participate in a public forum, facilitated by CIMIENTOS. The mayor’s office even provided funding for transport and meals to ensure attendance of community members that otherwise could not have attended.

Mayor Caicedo opened the two-day forum by affirming his strong commitment to working with communities and listening to their priorities as inputs for the MDP. USAID explained in practical terms the objectives of the MDP and the responsibilities of each actor involved in the process. Sectoral working groups were subsequently formed to facilitate dynamic discussions on community problems and ways in which the MDP can propose solution-oriented projects.

Community leader Libardo Fierro affirmed, “CIMIENTOS not only supported community Citizens participating in planning in Riosucio participation in the planning process, but also encouraged public officials to adopt this “CIMIENTOS not only supported community participatory methodology which helped them to participation in the planning process, but also encouraged

public officials to adopt this participatory methodology understand first-hand the municipality’s priorities”. which helped them to understand first-hand the municipality’s priorities”. Another requirement of the 1994 law is to convene the Territorial Planning Council (Consejo Territorial de Planeación – CTP), which reviews the MDP for comment. Before USAID assistance, the CTP for Riosucuo had never existed. As a result of program support, Mayor Caicedo facilitated its creation by calling for the nomination of community leaders by sector to ensure better representation. Once established, the CTP took it upon itself to travel throughout the extensively rural municipality to follow-up with communities on discussions held during the two-day forum. The CTP members understand that projects proposed in the MDP must be supported by statistics and first-hand analysis. The Director of the central government’s National Planning Department praised Mayor Caicedo for the

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 30 JANUARY – MARCH 2008 participatory MDP process he promoted in Riosucio. According to Mr. Fierro, “in Riosucio, one can truly see for the first time a participatory and democratic process”.

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 31 JANUARY – MARCH 2008 ANNEX1:

RAPID RESPONSE FUND WINDOWS TABLE

Total: Total: % Organization Name Title Period US$2 COP$ Implemented 1. Investigation Fund (in support of Interagency Control Agreement-ICA) November 7, Interagency Control 2007 – FGN-PGN-CGR $300,000 $540,000,000 4% Agreement November 6, 2010 2. Grants Fund Transparency in Municipal Management: September Transparencia Por analysis and 18, 2007 - $34,000 $68,306,000 70% Colombia dissemination of March 18, corruption risks for 2008 strengthening municipalities 3. Misión de Observación Electoral (MOE) Colombian Civil Society Electoral July 18, 2007 Misión de Observación Observation $300,000 $540,000,000 – February 63.5% Electoral Mission for 25, 2008 Departmental and Municipal Elections

2 The exchange rate used is the official rate on the sub-agreement award date.

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 32 JANUARY – MARCH 2008

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – QUATERLY REPORT 1 JANUARY – MARCH 2008