Ms. Luz Marina Garcia AOR, U.S. Agency for International Development [email protected]
January 30, 2018
RE: Quarterly Programmatic Report for Cooperative Agreement No. AID-524-A-10-00006, Municipal Governance Program (MGP)
Dear Ms. Garcia:
On behalf of Global Communities, I am pleased to submit our Quarterly Programmatic Report summarizing activities undertaken during the period of October 1 – December 31, 2017. Should you have any questions or comments regarding any aspects of this report, please do not hesitate to contact me or the Chief of Party, Marc Valentin.
Sincerely,
Randy Lyness Director of Program Operations
CC: Marc Valentin, Chief of Party, MGP Mary Liz Mann, Program Manager, Global Communities Headquarters
FORMERLY Global Communities | 8601 Georgia Avenue, Suite 300 | Silver Spring, MD 20910 USA T: (+1) 301.587.4700 | F: (+1) 301.587.7315 | E: [email protected] | www.globalcommunities.org
Municipal Governance Program
QUARTERLY REPORT
October 01 – December 31, 2017
MUNICIPAL GOVERNANCE PROGRAM AID 524 -10 - 00006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACRONYMS 2
I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3
II. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS 6
III. SIGNIFICANT CONSTRAINTS/LESSONS LEARNED
AND BEST PRACTICES 33
IV. PLANNED ACCOMPLISHMENTS 35 V. ANNEXES 38
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ACRONYMS
ADM Municipal Development Association AMC Christian Medical Action AMJOLU Young Women Fighters Association APRODER Association for Promotion and Rural Development ARC Appreciative Review of Capacity ASODEL Association for Survival and Local Development BICU Bluefields, Indian and Caribbean University CAPS Potable Water and Sanitation Committees CEPS Center for Studies and Social Promotion CEIMM Center for Studies and Investigations on Multiethnic Woman CDM Municipal Development Committee CIG Interagency Gender Commission CoMAJ Municipal Committee of Adolescents and Youth COMUPRED Municipal Disaster Prevention Committee CSO Civil Society Organization FADCANIC Foundation for Autonomy and Development of the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua FECONORI Federation of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities FUMSAMI San Miguelitos’ Women Foundation ICCO Interchurch Organization for Development Cooperation IEEPP Strategic Studies and Public Policies Institute LGBT Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual MDS RACCS Sexual Diversity Movement Southern Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region MGP Municipal Governance Program MINED Ministry of Education NGO Non-Governmental Organization OCD Organizational Capacity Development PGR General Budget of the Republic PIA Annual Investment Plan PRODESSA Center for Advancement and Counseling in Research and Development in the Agricultural Sector PwD Person with Disabilities RACCS Southern Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region RACCN Northern Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region TRANSMUNI Municipal Transfer System UNAN National Autonomous University of Nicaragua URACCAN University of the Autonomous Regions of the Nicaraguan Caribbean Coast
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I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Local Governance • As of January 3 2018, 117 of 245 projects (48%) presented to municipal governments by partner organizations and community groups have been accepted and included in the TRANSMUNI system. Funding disbursements have begun on 95 of the 117 projects. • 441 people (54% women) from Municipal Development Committees (CDM), Citizen Networks, and Municipal Youth Committees (COMAJ), participated in the fourth round of 2017 municipal budget transparency forums in Santo Domingo, San Pedro de Lóvago, Muelle de los Bueyes, and El Almendro. 1,285 people (49% women) from the community at large participated in the forums, a 23% increase from the last round. • CDM members completed the social audit of the UNAM’s Field University, and carried out social audit activities for infrastructure projects and a community health center.
Gender
• 298 members of CDM, COMAJ, and Citizen Networks (229 women and 69 men) participated in gender awareness trainings and activities. • On October 13, in partnership with FADCANIC’s Education for Success program, AMJOLU (Young Women Fighters Association) commemorated the International Day of the Girl with a workshop in Bluefields about protection and risk of sexual abuse to 100 multiethnic schoolgirls aged 10 to 14. • On November 25 AMJOLU commemorated the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women by displaying photographs in Reyes Park from the “Viva las Queremos” photo exhibition, which compiles the testimonies of families of those 18 victims of femicide on the Caribbean Coast. The photos and testimonies were seen by hundreds of people who passed by this landmark in the city. • 10 activists from Red Afro were trained on monitoring, statistics, and accounting related to tracking and supporting cases of gender based violence. These activists have supported 17 female victims of violence and their families. Six cases have been successfully brought through legal proceedings, while work continues on the others.
Youth
• 24 youth from COMAJ Bluefields, Laguna de Perlas, El Rama, and Corn Island, and the Youth Commission of the CDM from Muelle de los Bueyes participated in a regional youth meeting with over 60 youth from other groups. The youth had the opportunity to make alliances and discuss strategies to overcome shared challenges in the themes of gender issues, human rights, cyber activism, economic empowerment and entrepreneurship.
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Indigenous and Afrodescendent Groups
• Red Afro, in partnership with BICU and URRACAN, completed a proposal of revised indicators for the 2018 national census, in order to improve accuracy of measurement of ethnic and indigenous populations. They are currently developing a methodology that will ensure a multiethnic survey team. Both the revised indicators and proposed methodology will be presented to INIDE, the Nicaraguan institution overseeing the implementation of the national census.
Organizations Representing Persons with Disabilities (DPOs)
• Over 4,000 DPO agendas were distributed in Bluefields, Corn Island, and Laguna de Perlas, and presented in sessions to 36 candidates for public office, 5 public officials, 3 journalists, 8 private sector representatives, 13 transport workers, 12 church representatives, and 11 representatives of social organizations. This strong effort to publicize DPO agendas contributed to an 11% increase in the population’s awareness of the existence of Law 763 (protecting the rights of disabled persons), a 10% increase in the population’s awareness of the demands in DPO agendas, and an increase of 9% in the population who are in agreement with those demands. • MGP completed the edition, design, and review of the user-friendly version of Law 763, which will be available next quarter to raise awareness of the rights of disabled persons.
Organizational Development
• MGP provided training to FUMSAMI and Red Afro in proposal development and budgeting. Both partners then applied for $150,000 grants from the United Nations Trust to End Violence Against Women, for projects aimed at working with disabled and at-risk women to defend their rights. • MGP provided support to FUMSAMI to complete their institutional strategic plan, which will guide their advocacy efforts over the next 3 years.
Building Resilient Communities
• 30 business owners from Bluefields and Corn Island who participated in the creating business climate change adaptation plans met on November 30th to exchange experience and challenges in the process. They stated that the process of creating the plans allowed them to identify sustainable strategies that will help them reduce costs, increase social responsibility, and adopt environmentally-friendly practices. • 117 people attended the closeout event for the Climate Change Resilience component of the MGP, on December 5th in Managua. MGP partners BlueEnergy, Centro Humboldt, and BICU presented the successes and lessons learned of their work at the event, which was covered by the local media. • 17 citizen-proposed projects from the municipal Climate Change Adaptation Plans were accepted by the Bluefields and Muelle de los Bueyes municipalities and included
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in the 2018 municipal budgets, highlighting the successful process of citizen-led advocacy and the importance of climate change resiliency to the municipal leadership of the Caribbean Coast.
Citizen Participation in Electoral Processes
• 325 candidates for municipal government were presented agendas which highlighted the demands of women, youth, and disabled persons, through forums, dialogues, and meetings in a process that involved 5,528 members of 107 communities (76% women, 48% youth).
Citizen Innovation Fund
• Five projects approved last quarter began implementation during this quarter. The activities include using theater to increase dialogue of gender violence, promoting traditional conflict resolution methodologies for reducing violence and trafficking, promoting cyberactivism in adolescent girls, teaching youth activists to use innovative visual media in social activism, and promoting innovative approaches to reducing street harassment and promoting consumer protection. Additionally, five new projects approved and subgrants were signed, which will begin in the next quarter.
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II. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Citizen Participation
2.1 Monitoring of the financial and physical implementation of the projects included in the 2017 municipal budget
117 of 245 (48%) of the projects presented by partner organizations and grassroots groups in the municipal budgets of 2017 are included in the TRANSMUNI system as of January 3, 2018, with a total value of $2,980,068.
Of the 117 projects included, 95 reported some level of financial implementation (81%), for a total $2,480,363.18 (83% of the total approved).
Table # 1: Projects included in the 2017 municipal budgets and level of financial implementation, according to the Transmuni as of January 3, 2018.
Number of projects % of financial Number of projects that Executed budget (in CS$) for presented by partner Number of projects included in Budget (in CS$) for projects implementation of the 2017 show financial projects included in the 2017 Organization Municipality organizations in the 2017 the 2017 Municipal Budgets as included in the 2017 Municipal Municipal Budget as of Jan implementation in Municipal Budgets as of Jan 3, Municipal Budgets of Jan 3, 2018 Budgets as of Jan 3, 2018 3, 2018 Transmuni as of Jan 3, 2018 2018 consultation
Bluefields 71.03% 5 2 2 5,084,167.60 2,605,993.74 AMC/Youth Groups Laguna de Perlas 80.58% 10 5 5 2,747,431.96 2,636,291.93 Muelle de los 75.68% Bueyes 45 28 17 22,370,650.23 16,975,181.07 APRODER/CDM San Pedro de 61.18% Lóvago 64 33 23 9,216,322.29 5,668,621.97 Santo Domingo 82.34% 63 26 25 24,899,785.68 21,860,131.11 Bluefields 71.03% 13 4 4 2,569,356.00 2,403,052.98 Corn Island 97.68% 12 4 4 4,464,857.39 4,455,122.97 BICU/CoMAJ Laguna de Perlas 80.58% 14 5 5 4,272,333.96 3,996,948.03 El Rama 88.71% 9 3 3 13,423,043.02 13,423,044.02 FECONORI/ODP Bluefields 71.03% 3 2 2 957,299.26 597,918.13 FUMSAMI/Citizen San Miguelito 97.60% 2 1 1 26,400.00 33,600.00 Networks El Almendro 98.33% 2 1 1 12,000.00 4,950.00 blueEnergy/CAPS Laguna de Perlas 80.58% 3 3 3 1,751,375.70 1,742,515.22 TOTAL 245 117 95 91,795,023.09 76,403,371.17 1) % of presented projects confirmed by Transmuni. 2) % of presented projects with financial implementation 48% 81% 83% included in Transmuni T/C 03/01/18 USD USD 30.8033 2,980,038.60 2,480,363.18
2.2 Partner organizations participate in budget accountability sessions
In the period reported, the CDM, COMAJ and Citizen Networks, supported by APRODER, BICU and FUMSAMI respectively, participated in the fourth round of municipal budget accountability sessions. The following table highlights partner participation.
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Table #2 Participation in the fourth municipal budget accountability sessions
Participation of the general Participation of CDM, CoMAJ Municipality Date population and Citizen Network members
Total Women Men Total Women Men El Almendro 10/12/2017 31 17 14 10 9 1 Muelle de los Bueyes 10/25/2017 500 238 262 147 81 66 Santo Domingo 10/31/2017 400 180 220 170 78 92 Bluefields 11/20/2017 85 40 45 25 14 11 San Miguelito 11/24/2017 46 29 17 15 15 0 San Pedro de Lóvago 12/6/2017 131 78 53 39 23 16 El Rama 12/21/2017 30 18 12 10 6 4 Laguna de Perlas 12/22/2017 21 13 8 8 5 3 Corn Island 12/22/2017 41 22 19 17 7 10 Total 1,285 635 650 441 238 203 Percentage 100% 49% 51% 100% 54% 46%
Muelle de los Bueyes: Several citizens requested that the municipal government consider projects such as improving streets in the Las Maravillas de la Batea neighborhood, improving the La Gorra – Manteles Verdes road, and rehabilitating the local cemetery in the La Gorra village. The municipal authorities agreed on the importance of these projects and invited citizens to participate in consultation sessions to analyze and select the most urgent and relevant projects.
Santo Domingo: Residents of the Nuevo Amanecer, Miguel Merel and Barrio Jabalí neighborhoods inquired about the deadline for the provision of zinc roofing panels, as included in the Fondo Social con Equidad de Género (Social Fund for Gender Equity) for 2017, while members of the CDM requested a session in order to analyze the effective implementation of the fund. The Mayor said the zinc panels would be delivered to selected residents in November, and that the procurement plans is ready. He also responded positively to the request for a session with his office’s technical team and the CDM to analyze the implementation of the Social Fund for Gender Equity. A meeting was scheduled for the beginning of January 2018, prior to the handover of the municipal government to the newly elected authorities.
San Pedro de Lóvago: Members of the CDM asked why the project “Promoting a Green Municipality with a Participatory and Inclusive Public Administration in San Pedro de Lóvago” appears twice in the 2017 Annual Investment Plan (PIA), as well as the status of implementation of the project “Environmental Sanitation of Río Mico.” The technical staff of the Mayor’s office and municipal authorities responded that the first project appears twice because it has two sources of financing, one from the Mayor’s office with funds from municipal transfers, the other from the European Union as the main co-financier of the project. The authorities explained that Rio Mico project was implemented this quarter with funding from a Dutch sister city, and consisted of designing a reforestation plan for the Río
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Mico river banks, along with the provision of equipment such as wire, stakes, pumps, backpacks, and seeds of forest and fruit trees for reforestation.
Bluefields, Laguna de Perlas, Corn Island and El Rama: Youth from the COMAJ investigated the financial implementation of the 2017 Municipal Annunal Investment Plan, especially the projects that were proposed by the COMAJ, including funding for sports activities and the Bluefields trade school, the repair of a vehicular bridge in Raitipura/Laguna de Perlas, road maintenance in Corn Island, and an environmental clean-up and awareness-raising program in La Rama.
El Almendro y San Miguelito: Women of the Citizen Networks of El Almendro and San Miguelito demanded greater support from the municipal government for the prevention and early detection of breast and cervical cancers program implemented by FUMSAMI. The Mayor’s Office of El Almendro responded that there were “communication issues” that prevented the regular support of the program (FUMSAMI believes that the real reason for the low level of support is the organization’s refusal to align itself with the FSLN), but that in 2018, they hoped to ensure the monthly contribution as promised. The mayor of San Miguelito also reaffirmed the municipal government’s intent to fulfill commitments.
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Table #3 Participation of partner organizations and grassroots groups in municipal council sessions
Participation of CDM, CoMAJ and Citizen Network members Management/request for information reported by partner organizations and Municipality Date in municipal council sessions target groups
Total Women Men
Follow-up on the implementation of the following projects: Construcción de Mini 10/16/2017 20 9 11 Acueducto por Gravedad (MAG) in the Palmira 2 district, MAG school, Carca Grande chapel and perimeter wall in the Sandino neighborhood.
Santo Determine the degree of physical and financial implementation of the Social Fund 11/20/2017 8 3 5 Domingo for Gender Equity.
12/18/2017 14 6 8 Provide monitoring for the inclusion of projects in the 2018 PIA.
Request for extension of the cobblestone street project in the Pedro Joaquín 10/19/2017 50 27 23 neighborhood. 2,000 stones remain while the community is raising counterpart funds.
Request for plots in the Las Praderas citadel, inclusion of road projects in the Ticoral and Tigra communities, maintenance of the Campana road, construction Muelle de los 11/23/2017 73 37 36 Bueyes of the Cedro Macho school, and improvement of the water systems in El Espavel, Presilla and Muelle. All are to be included in the 2018 PIA.
12/21/2017 84 39 45 Provide monitoring for the inclusion of projects in the 2018 PIA.
Monitoring of the channel project completion at the junction of San Pedro de 10/27/2017 10 4 6 Lóvago.
Inclusion of the Zanzíbar - Victorino Rivas roundabout road repair project, as well as Los Manguitos - Bulgaria road opening project in the 2018 PIA. In addition, an 11/24/2017 7 3 4 San Pedro de extension in the budget for the completion of the channel project at the Lóvago Lóvago junction, in the amount of C$20,000.00.
12/22/2017 5 2 3 Provide monitoring for the inclusion of projects in the 2018 PIA.
Laguna de 11/21/2017 15 8 7 Perlas Have a presence as an organizational expression of the youth in each locality, in Bluefields 12/22/2017 15 7 8 order to learn the priorities of municipal management and the execution of Corn Island 12/22/2017 12 7 5 projects in the 2017 municipal budgets. El Rama 12/29/2017 10 6 4
Members of the Citizen Network put forth the following proposals: 1)Earmark part of the 2018 budget to support the prevention and care of breast and cervical cancer. 2) Submit the proposal for the Carlos Pineda Neighborhood Environmental Resilience Plan; requesting support for its gradual implementation and assistance to mitigate the neighborhood's critical environmental situation. El Almendro 10/12/2017 10 9 1 With regard to the first proposal, the Mayor responded that there has always been agreement and that it would be necessary to organize again in order to improve for the following year. With regard to the second proposal, the Mayor remarked that his team will have to analyze and assess the proposal. Given this, the Citizen Network has already requested a meeting to present the proposal.
It was requested that support for the program of prevention and early detection of breast and cervical cancers be included in the 2018 budget. Requests were also made that the authorities provide a public university for low-income youth, an alternative entrepreneurial program as a follow-up for women and youth who have completed trade school courses, and the implementation of the Sandino San Miguelito 11/24/2017 15 15 0 Neighborhood Environmental Resilience Plan. The Mayor and councilors were in agreement concerning all points. They reaffirmed their commitment to continue contributing to the cancer prevention program, and to addressing the other three requests since they recognized the importance of access to education and income generation for low-income communities, as well as the environmental risks faced by the Sandino neighborhood.
TOTAL 348 182 166 % 100% 52% 48%
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2.3 Participation of partner organizations and grassroots groups in budget consultation sessions
The CDM, COMAJ and Citizen Networks, supported by APRODER, BICU and FUMSAMI respectively, participated in 39 consultation activities for the 2018 municipal budget, and presented 213 project proposals based on community needs (see Table 4).
In the municipalities where municipal governments are not led by the FSLN, where the MGP has supported CDM operations since 2013, the budgetary consultation process is carried out in accordance with the law. There is a consultation schedule, and sessions are conducted regularly in communities and neighborhoods with relevant institutions. In FSLN-led municipalities, the grassroots groups working with partner organizations must request audiences or try to find out where the Municipal Council or Town Hall sessions are held, as they are not publicized. Tables 5 and 6 present information on participation by municipality and partner organization.
Table # 4 Number of proposals presented in the different citizen participation mechanisms Number of Proposals Governing Municipality activities Type of Mechanism presented party carried out Budgetary consultation 5 sessions Town hall presentation of Santo Domingo 46 1 the Municipal Budget 1 Municipal Council session
Budgetary consultation 12 sessions San Pedro de Lóvago 53 Town hall presentation of Opposition 1 the Municipal Budget 1 Municipal Council session Budgetary consultation 6 sessions Muelle de los Town hall presentation of 51 1 Bueyes the Municipal Budget 1 Municipal Council session Bluefields 19 2 Corn Island 25 2 Meeting with municipal Laguna de Perlas 18 1 authorities El Rama 9 1 1 Municipal Council session Municipal Council El Almendro 6 1 FSLN accountability 1 Meeting with authorities 1 Municipal Council session Municipal Council San Miguelito 6 1 accountability 1 Meeting with authorities TOTAL 233 41
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Table # 5 Participants in budget consultation in municipalities where CDMs are located Total Organization number of Municipality Men Women citizen participants Muelle de los 1,124 582 542 Bueyes San Pedro de APRODER/CDM 599 326 273 Lóvago Santo 1,094 543 551 Domingo
TOTAL 2,817 1,451 1,366
% 100 51.51 48.49 Total number of Organization Municipality Men Women citizen participants Muelle de los 1,124 582 542 Bueyes San Pedro de APRODER/CDM 599 326 273 Lóvago Santo 1,094 543 551 Domingo
TOTAL 2,817 1,451 1,366
% 100 51.51 48.49
Table # 6 Target group participants in budget consultation in FSLN municipalities Total participants Organization Municipality Men Women from target groups Laguna de 15 8 7 Perlas BICU/CoMAJ Bluefields 20 12 8 Corn Island 13 6 7 El Rama 10 4 6 FUMSAMI/Citizen San Miguelito 22 0 22 Networks El Almendro 18 1 17 TOTAL 98 31 67 100 32 68 %
2.4 Gender activities
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During this quarter, 298 members of the CDM, COMAJ and the Citizen Networks participated in training activities on gender awareness. The Community Networks for Gender Equity, part of the Muelle de los Bueyes and Santo Domingo CDMs, culminated their training process by learning key aspects of the care economy (a critical reflection that promotes conceptualizing life as the center of economy rather than market forces), and identifying the need for a more equitable division of household work. The COMAJs continued to host dialogues, in which participants (most of whom were women) learned more about social gender constructs, the impact of the division of household tasks, and self-care techniques for young women. Together with the Movimiento Autoconvocado por Derechos de las Mujeres (Self-convened Movement for Women’s Rights) of Bluefields, young men and women participated in the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25. The Citizen Networks of San Miguelito and El Almendro carried out public activities in order to promote participation in municipal councils as a way to increase the participation of women in society. COMAJ and members of the Community Networks for Gender Equity plan to replicate this awareness raising with other youth as well as members of their families and communities.
The CDMs and the Citizen Networks also coordinated activities with other organizations and public institutions that focus on the rights of women. The CDMs continued collaboration with the Asociación de Trabajadores del Campo (Rural Worker Association -ATC), Juigalpa chapter, and with the Coordinator for Rural Women in order to understand the gender actions of each group. In San Miguelito, the Citizen Network, together with the Ministry of Health, commemorated "World Breast Cancer Awareness Day” with public education activities.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office, the National Police, and MINSA were present at the forum "Unidas/os en una sola voz (United in one voice): Ni sumisas, ni sometidas ¡NOS QUEREMOS LIBRES de violencia, Con SALUD, Con DERECHOS, Con VIDA y en PAZ (Neither submissive nor subjected, with HEALTH, with RIGHTS, with LIFE and in PEACE).” At this forum, each of the aforementioned public institutions informed participants of their respective roles in treating and attending to victims of violence.
Table #7 Participants in the gender awareness activities
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Activity Participants Total Women Men Community Networks for Gender Equity from the Completion of the training Santo Domingo and 62 31 31 process on gender Muelle de los Bueyes CDMs Session to reflect on gender CoMAJ - Corn Island 15 15 0 among adolescent girls Session to reflect on gender - CoMAJ - in Little Corn 20 13 7 mixed Island Session to reflect on gender CoMAJ - Laguna de Perlas 20 20 0 among adolescent girls Session to reflect on gender - CoMAJ - El Bluff 29 22 7 mixed Session to reflect on gender CoMAJ - El Rama 12 12 0 among adolescent girls Commemoration of the International Day for the CoMAJ- Bluefields 20 14 6 Elimination of Violence against Women Exchange with promotors of the initiative of the Law Las CoMAJ- Bluefields 40 30 10 Queremos Vivas Workshop, replication and street El Almendro and San activism regarding citizen Miguelito Citizen 80 72 8 participation Networks TOTAL 298 229 69
On the left, an educational and cultural session for World Breast Cancer Awareness Day, held on October 27, 2017 in San Miguelito. On the right, a forum carried out in San Miguelito on November 11, 2017 within the framework of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
2.5 Youth activities
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Youth Commission members met in order to create a work plan for January- March, 2018 in order to guide their advocacy and activities over the coming quarter. The COMAJs of Corn Island, Bluefields and Laguna de Perlas held assemblies in which members discussed the progress and difficulties of their various activities to date, as well as challenges for the sustainability of the organization. They also reflected on the importance of remaining organized and participating in local public issues.
The regional youth meeting, “Training Advocates, Leaders, Entrepreneurs and Activists” - brought together 24 youth from the COMAJs of Laguna de Perlas, El Rama, Corn Island and Bluefields, the Youth Commission of the Muelle de los Bueyes CDM, along with over 60 youth from organizations including Asociación de Jóvenes Impulsando el Progreso (Youth Association to Promote Progress - AJIP), and the Centro Nicaragüense de Derechos Humanos (Nicaraguan Human Rights Center - CENIDH) of Chontales, Intercambios Nueva Guinea, Comité de Defensa de la Tierra, Agua y Soberanía Nacional, and Fundación Luz en la Selva to discuss leadership, strategies and alliances for advocacy and intervention in their localities, gender issues, human rights, cyber activism, economic empowerment, and entrepreneurship. Local media outlets covered the event.
The COMAJ of Bluefields carried out an exchange with Mexican students from the Universidad Intercultural del Estado de Mexico. Youth participants discussed work in multiethnic and multicultural contexts which allows for advocacy to authorities through consensus and the search for collective well-being in pursuit of indigenous peoples’ human rights. The youth participants from Mexico were from the villages of Mazahua, Otomi, and Nahuatl.
Table # 8 Youth actvitites
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Activity Total M H
Youth commission work sessions for the San 45 24 21 Pedro de Lóvago and Muelle de los Bueyes CDM.
CoMAJ, Corn Island Youth Assembly - La Islita 34 19 15
CoMAJ, Bluefields Youth Assembly 28 16 12
CoMAJ, Bluefields Youth Assembly - El Bluff 55 34 21
Exchange of experiences between CoMAJ- Bluefields and a group of Mexican students from 48 36 12 the Universidad Intercultural del Estado de Mexico. Youth Assembly of the CoMAJ, Laguna de Perlas - 30 14 16 Orinoco
CoMAJ, Laguna de Perlas Youth Assembly - 30 15 15 Tasba Pouni CoMAJ El Rama Youth Assembly 36 23 13 Workshop of awareness-raising and clean-up in 15 8 7 Little Corn Island
Regional Youth Meeting, “Training Advocates, 85 45 40 Leaders, Entrepreneurs and Activists”
Total 321 189 132
On the left, COMAJ-Bluefields members and a group of Mexican students, Bluefields. On the right, participants from the regional youth meeting, “Training Advocates, Leaders, Entrepreneurs and Activists,” Nueva Guinea. 2.6 CDM implements new actions of social monitoring of projects
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During the reporting period, APRODER continued to support social monitoring activities implemented by the CDMs, such as sessions to evaluate budget implementation, site visits of priority projects, and finalization of social audit of the implementation of the Universidad en el Campo (Field University-UNICAM), which took place during the first quarter of 2017.
The audited infrastructure projects had a financial execution rate (90-99%). However, through visits, community members made recommendations to improve or adjust the projects, like the health clinic in the La Patriota community, which lacks a reception area for patients, or a gynecological care area. The youth who audited the UNICAM project reported important findings and gave concrete recommendations, focused on reducing the level of student dropouts due to low academic performance, ensuring the commitment of the Ministry of Education (MINED) to providing necessary infrastructure, and ensuring that the first three years of study, which are financed by the municipality, UNAN guarantees that students can continue their studies.
Table # 9 Social monitoring activities
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Social monitoring Achievements activity
42 active members from the CDM (22 women) participated in monitoring sessions for the Special CDM sessions to execution of the 2017 municipal budget. In these sessions, the consultation calendar for the 2018 assess budgetary municipal budgets was obtained, scheduling the active participation of each CDM in said process. implementation prior to Furthermore, a communication plan was executed to disseminate the management reports of the town halls on CDM in each municipality, where the municipal governments confirmed the availability of their accountability. radio and television programs, as well as in the town halls and consultation sessions to share the information.
* The CDM of Muelle de los Bueyes provided follow-up to the project, Construcción de calle adoquinada Barrio Pedro Joaquín Chamorro en la Batea , which is 97% completed (the only thing that remains is to seal the edges of the cobblestones with concrete). 2,000 stones remain, which has prompted requests to extend the project, with the community providing counterpart funds. Construction of La Patriotra Health Point, which is 90% completed. A reception area had not been planned in the building phase, for which a request was made for an extension together with the Health Commission. It is recommended to provide an area for gynecology and another for reception in future building projects of this type. The cobblestoned neighborhood of Linda Vista Presilla is 99% completed, thus fulfilling the expectations of the community. * The CDM of Santo In-site visits to priority Domingo visited the completion of the cobblestone street Shester Obando 2, MABE El projects. Cilindro community, and MABE El Camastro community road projects; finding that they have been completed in both MABEs. However, they all have had problems in their operations, as the voltage that reaches the engines differs from what was indicated; for which it was recommended that they take measures, together with the CDM, the Municipal Government and UNION FENOSA. * In San Pedro de Lóvago, members of the CDM visited the following projects: MAG La Pintada, Los Borges, Las Vainillas and the construction of the channel in Lóvago. Although the MAG projects have been satisfactorily executed, the channel has not yet been completed due to the fact that the planned budget was not sufficient. Given this, it was recommended that the Community Board, together with the CDM, make a request to the Municipal Government to increase the budget in order to finish the project.
The audit revealed that both degree programs (nursing and sustainable rural development) have Social audit carried out quality teachers and have complied with the planned syllabus. There were 21 students who by the Youth dropped out (of a total of 120) due to poor school performance (failed subjects). The remaining Commission of the active students reported that they were satisfied with the classes. The municipal government has Muelle de los Bueyes' complied with the disbursement to the UNAN and the MINED by providing facilities. However, the CDM for the agreement for UNICAM was only signed by the UNAN and the Municipal Government, which leaves implementation of the the MINED without a formal commitment. Based on these findings, the Youth Commission Universidad en el Campo proposed academic follow-up measures to ensure the continuity of studies, promoting study Program (1st Semester, groups to strengthen knowledge. Moreover, efforts will be made to increase the involvement of the 2017). MINED so that it is committed to the project, and organize a clearer commitment with the UNAN for the continuity of studies at the undergraduate level.
2.7 AMJOLU in partnership with FADCANIC promotes activism for girls
To commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child on October 13 in Bluefields, activists from AMJOLU spoke to 100 girls aged 10 to 14 of various ethnicities (creole, mestizo, indigenous) about protection and self-care to minimize the risk of sexual abuse. Following the workshop, AMJOLU, FADCANIC and the girls participated in an afternoon of street activism. This is the fourth occasion in which both organizations collaborated to promote the rights of young women, a theme in which AMJOLU has become a leader in Bluefields.
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With AMJOLU and FADCANIC working together in Bluefields, girls celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child.
2.8 AMJOLU activism against violence against women On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November, AMJOLU, together with the Self-convened Movement for Women’s Rights, commemorated the lives of 18 victims of femicide on the Caribbean Coast. The “Viva las Queremos” exhibition, which presents testimonies of families of the 18 women killed, was shown in Reyes Park in Bluefields and seen by hundreds of people who passed by this city landmark. Activists demanded justice for the victims of femicide, and the exhibit provided a platform to speak with residents of Bluefields about the impact of violence on society.
At the end of the afternoon, the activists concluded the event with a walk through the main streets of Bluefields and presented mimes, sketches, and songs defending women’s rights.
Left, the presentation of the testimonies on femicide in Reyes Park in Bluefields. Right, a walk through streets after the event.
2.9 Neighborhood women trained by AMJOLU to participate in the municipal councils As part of the effort by AMJOLU to promote civic participation of women in local public issues, 15 women aged 16-30 from different neighborhoods of Bluefields (San Mateo, San Pedro, Santa Rosa and Loma Fresca) are learning how to advocate to municipal authorities. Training began last quarter by learning about the structure and importance of the municipal councils, along with the responsibilities of the municipal councils and the public. This quarter, the participants (8 creoles and 7 mestizas) identified and prioritized needs and difficulties that affect the population in their neighborhoods, especially among the youth. These included
18 MUNICIPAL GOVERNANCE PROGRAM AID 524 -10 - 00006 drug use, gender-based violence, the existence of gangs and conflict, and civil insecurity. An exercise was also carried out to identify public resources aimed at combating gender inequality. During this exercise, it was discovered that the Municipal Office for Women was closed. The youth plan on participating in the next town hall meeting to find out the reasons behind the closure of the office, and to demand its reopening.
Neighborhood youth learn about how the municipal councils work and how they can participate in them.
2.10 Volunteers from the Red de Mujeres Afro (Network of Afrodescendent Women) provide support to victims of violence In the absence of women's organizations specialized in providing support to victims of gender-based violence, Red Afro in Bluefields is taking on this task. Through the Committee on Legal Affairs, Red Afro has supported 17 victims of physical violence, sexual violence, sexual harassment, child support, discrimination, and femicide, and/or their families in communities of the region. The majority of cases have been categorized by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Bluefields as rape and psychological violence, and victims include both minors and adults. These cases were reported between March and November 2017, and National Police have been involved in six cases, arresting the aggressor or completing the legal procedures, while the other cases are still being followed up on.
To support this work, 10 activists from Red Afro have been trained in accounting, statistics, case monitoring, and the legal steps to follow in cases of violence, in partnership with Comunidad Creole and CENIDH. In addition, training was provided on how to document and file cases. In recognition of Red Afro’s volunteer service, the Network of Women against Violence named the Red Afro project officer, Jennifer Brown, as their official liaison for the Caribbean Coast.
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2.11 Red Afro completes proposal of indicators and questions to be included in the national census Red Afro, BICU University, and URACCAN University, held the forum, “The self-identification of indigenous peoples, Afrodescendents and mestizos of the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua,” with support from MGP and the United Nations Population Fund.
A technical proposal was developed, which was shared with regional, territorial and community authorities and CSOs, for validation and feedback, in order to reach a consensus on adequately addressing cultural and ethnic identities in the 2018 Census through appropriate indicators and questions.
Together with BICU and URACCAN, Red Afro are developing a proposed methodology and strategy to train surveyors, and to ensure that students of both universities are part of the INIDE survey team (the national institute conducting the census), reflecting a variety of ethnicities (Creole, Garífuna, Rama, Miskito and Afrodescendent).
2.12 Comunidad Creole continues to advocate for the rights of Afrodescendent peoples in Nicaragua Comunidad Creole participated in the fifth Meeting of Indigenous Peoples and Afrodescendents of Nicaragua on December 12 and 13. In attendance were over 100 authorities, leaders and technical staff, from 24 Caribbean Coast territories, the Autonomous Zones, and six territories of the Pacific, Center and Northern regions of Nicaragua.
During the event, participants were updated on progress on themes important to indigenous and Afrodescendent peoples in Nicaragua, especially those related to the environment and to the demarcation process of communal land. Another key issue was the follow-up on the appeal which several leaders filed against the president of Nicaragua for presidential decree 15-2017, which suspended the legal requirement to conduct environmental impact studies on land concessions and projects.
Authorities and leaders used the meeting as an opportunity to present new cases of violations of rights of indigenous peoples and Afrodescendents, including cases of invasion of communal territories and forced displacement. The meeting concluded with consensus on several actions for the coming months, including management of resources and definition of organizational criteria for continued collaboration.
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2.13 Coordination between Comunidad Creole and FECONORI Based on a commitment to coordinate activities as partner organizations of MGP, Comunidad Creole invited FECONORI to participate in its radio program, “Voz Caribe” (Caribbean Voice), to commemorate the International Day of Disabled Persons.
Participants discussed the difficulties for personal development among persons with disabilities in the community (employability, education, health, and social stigma). Liviana Valle, a 12-year-old girl with a physical-motor disability, said that despite having limited financial means, she was able to complete her first year of high school, and that her goal is to obtain her high school degree and continue to university. After her participation in the radio program, other media outlets in Bluefields interviewed the adolescent, raising awareness of the right to education for persons with disabilities.
2.14 Activists and officials from RACCS civil society organizations hold dialogue on women’s rights, citizen participation, and gender violence The Observatory on Human Rights and Autonomy of BICU, in coordination with the Movimiento Autoconvocado por Derechos de las Mujeres (Self-convened Movement for Women’s Rights), hosted a discussion group between members of the organizations, and members of other local institutions, including OMAN, AMNLAE, COMAJ Bluefields, and the Human Rights Advocate Office. Participants discussed the implications of the findings of the MGP-funded study, Mujeres Jóvenes Multiétnicas Costa Caribe Sur, Participación Ciudadana y Violencia Género (Multiethnic Young Women of the Southern Caribbean Coast, Citizen Participation and Gender Violence).
Participants emphasized the relevance of the study and identified areas for further research. They stressed the need to work with families and communities and to highlight the work of local organizations. An emphasis was placed on the importance of building trust among women and rescuing traditional cultural practices that can combat gender based violence.
Sasha Castillo, of the campaign Cambia Ahora (Change Now) of FADCANIC, and Jennifer Brown of the Red de Mujeres Afro (Network of Afrodescendent Women) in Bluefields on December 5. Both organizations of the Self-convened Movement for Women’s Rights commented on the results of the study on young women in the southern Caribbean region of Nicaragua.
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2.15 Organizations of persons with disabilities raise awareness of their demands through municipal agendas In October, DPOs presented their municipal agendas to decision makers in 22 sessions or meetings in Bluefields (9), Corn Island (5) and Laguna de Perlas (8). These sessions/meetings were attended by 88 people including: candidates for the offices of mayor, vice mayor and councilors of political parties (36), public officials (5), journalists (3), representatives of private enterprise (8), transport workers (13), church representatives (12), and representatives of social organizations (11), as well as the directors of 24 FECONORI partner organizations from the three municipalities. At least four thousand municipal agendas were delivered to families during household visits in neighborhoods of Bluefields (2.400), Corn Island (900), and Laguna de Perlas (700).
Based on an MGP survey, it appears that this broad and intense public positioning of demands by persons with disabilities has increased awareness among the general population in Bluefields. This includes an 11% increase in awareness of the existence of Law 763 and a 10% increase in awareness of the messages and demands of organizations for persons with disabilities.
Municipal Agendas of persons with disabilities. In Corn Island and Laguna de Perlas, the agenda was published in both Spanish and English.
2.16 DPOs participated and presented proposals in budgetary consultations FECONORI associates from Bluefields, Laguna de Perlas and Corn Island proposals for presetnatoin to municipal authroities for consideration for inclusion in the municipal budegts. The proposals included the construction of access ramps in public areas, access ramps in low-income disabled households, equipping parks with special play areas for
22 MUNICIPAL GOVERNANCE PROGRAM AID 524 -10 - 00006 children with disabilities, and relocating signs that obstruct the passage of people with disabilities. Initiatives to address social problems included the purchase of wheelchairs and supplies, training on Law 763 for merchants and the tranpostation sector, training of interpreters in Nicaraguan Sign Language, and support for the celebration of the National and International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Other initiatives include sports and cultural days, improvement of the municipal library with material and equipment for the blind, and suppot for the transport and purchase of medicine for people with disabilities living in extreme poverty.
Representatives of FECONORI Bluefields presented their project proposals for the 2018 budget to the municipal councils.
2.17 User-friendly version of Law 763, adapted to the context of the Southern Caribbean Coast
During the reporting period, MGP concluded the design, review, and publishing of a user- friendly version of Law 763. To be made available in January 2018, the educational manual explains the rights of persons with disabilities, and includes illustrations that recreate landscapes and actual individuals from the municipalities working on the project.
On the left, printed material for the educational manual of Law 763. On the right, members from various organizations for persons with disabilities review the educational manual of Law 763 in Bluefields.
Organizational Development
2.18 MGP works with partner organizations to ensure successful closing of subawards. This quarter, MGP recruited a team of consultants which will provide technical assistance and support to organizations in the final stage of the program. Meanwhile, MGP provided organizational development support to FUMSAMI to complete its strategic plan, and provided
23 MUNICIPAL GOVERNANCE PROGRAM AID 524 -10 - 00006 technical assistance to both FUMSAMI and Red Afro to develop and present online proposals to the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women. Through targeted capacity building, MGP coached both Red Afro and FUMSAMI on how to develop a solid technical proposal and how to manage the online application process. FUMSAMI and Red Afro successfully submitted both proposals, each at a value of $150,000, under the 2017 call from the United Nations Trust Fund to end violence against women.
The FUMSAMI proposal advocates for rights of at-risk women in the municipalities of San Miguelito and El Almendro. The proposal by the Red Afro protects rights of women with disabilities and women caregivers of persons with disabilities in Bluefields, Kukra Hill, Laguna de Perlas, and Corn Island.
2017 call from the United Nations Trust Fund to end violence against women.
Resilient communities
2.19 Municipal governments allocate funds to climate change adaption actions 20 projects were approved and included in the municipal budgets of Bluefields (9) and Corn Island (11), based on priorities identified in the municipal climate adaptation plans. These projects have not yet been entered into the TRANSMUNI system. The projects in Bluefields are related to water and sanitation, infrastructure, and environment, with a total of approximately $380,000. The projects in Corn Island are related to water and sanitation for a total of approximately $160,000.
The strong participation of neighborhood leaders involved in community environmental resilience activities elevated their public visibility, and many of them ran for public office after participating in the program. Of those, 9 were elected (7 female) to municipal positions in the November 2017 elections: three city councilors in Bluefields (FSLN), four in Muelle de los Bueyes (PLC), and one in Corn Island (FSLN), as well as the elected vice mayor of Laguna de Perlas (FSLN). This provides an opportunity for a dialogue with elected authorities who
24 MUNICIPAL GOVERNANCE PROGRAM AID 524 -10 - 00006 are sensitized on the issue of environmental resilience, along with greater possibilities of influencing the allocation of public funds for adaptation measures.
2.20 Business owners exchange views on corporate environmental resilience Business owners from Bluefields and Corn Island met on November 30th to discuss climate change challenges in the private sector. Participants analyzed challenges and opportunities presented by climate change for the private sector in the Caribbean Coast, highlighting lessons learned in the process of creating climate change adaptation business plans. Energy and water management issues were identified as essential to any adaptation activity.
Business owners agreed that the process of formulating climate change adaptation plans allowed them to:
• Formulate clear and detailed strategies to address climate change, adjusted to the reality of each business. • Make more informed decisions with regard to future growth, considering impact of extreme and incremental events on their businesses. • Raise awareness among company personnel about the effects of global warming. • Identify the need to promote better governance of the fishing sector, tourism, and the production of goods and services, with better participatory processes in which businesses have the opportunity to participate and establish goals together with civil society leaders. The adaptation plans of these businesses are available at: www.globalcomunities.org.ni/publicaciones
Table # 10 Challenges of the business sector in the face of the climate change Risks Opportunities Excessive dependence on electric power generated by bunker fuel oil (80 percent of Improvements in energy efficiency production capacity). Improvements in building efficiency to withstand Raw materials prices extreme events and reduce the impact of heatwaves on people, goods and services. Substantial reduction in the capture of fish and crustaceans in the Caribbean zone of Re-use organic waste from production processes. Nicaragua. Impact of the supply chain towards the top Financing aimed at improving business resilience. and bottom of the organizational structure. Inclusion in civil society initiatives to strengthen Low integration of local businesses in the adaptive capacity of the territory, as well as corporate social responsibility and public the governance of the fisheries and tourism decision-making. sectors, and production of goods and services.
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The exchange held between business owners, which included climate change adaption plans, was attended by other public actors of Bluefields.
2.21 Partner organizations presented results from the Climate Change Initiatve in Managua
MGP partners blueEnergy, Centro Humboldt and BICU presented their experience of nearly three years of work in climate change adaption in Managua, at the Foro Nacional Derechos y Adaptación (National Forum on Rights and Adaptation) on December 5. Attended by 117 people, which served as the closeout event for the Climate Adaptation component, attendees learned about the experience of municipal planning for climate change adaption. Moreover, attendees were informed on the results of community leader and family involvement in defining adaptation plans, advocacy with the authorities, and implementation of adaptation activities at the community and family levels.
Representatives from the municipal governments of Corn Island, Little Corn Island, and Muelle de los Bueyes also attended, as well as representatives from USAID and the German Cooperation. The forum was attended by eight national media outlets and two independent journalists, and received coverage as illustrated by the table below:
Table # 11 Media coverage of climate change event # Source Date Link https://www.elnuevodiario.com.ni/nacionales/449603- El Nuevo 1 14 December capacitan-municipios-caribe-sur-tecnicas-adaptacio/ Diario
https://www.laprensa.com.ni/2017/12/06/nacionales/2 2 La Prensa 6 December 342369-costa-caribe-sur-se-prepara-para-enfrentar-los- efectos-del-cambio-climatico https://soundcloud.com/prog-gobernabilidad- local/cierre-de-proyecto-cambio-climatico Radio 6 December https://soundcloud.com/prog-gobernabilidad- 3 Corporaci local/monitoreo-evento-de-cierre-cambio-climatico ón https://soundcloud.com/prog-gobernabilidad- local/monitoreo-cambio-climatico-entrevistas https://youtu.be/1BbCZbBJguE 4 Canal 23 6 December https://youtu.be/34YyTrXiIyo 5 Canal 12 6 December https://youtu.be/tR9mJgSVsGo
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2.22 Work methodology on climate change validated at the community level
BluEnergy is replicating the methodology developed in the Citizens Prepared for Climate Change project with other IDB funds, while the municipality of Muelle de los Bueyes incorporated it into the community planning component of the municipal budget.
The project methodology contextualizes global information with local situations. This same Community members share lessons learned. Managua, methodology is now being applied by December 5, 2017. bluEnergy in Corn Island, with funds from the Inter-American Development Bank with the Green Island project, in order to improve the management of the terrestrial ecosystems of the islands in this municipality.
The exercises carried out during the Citizens Prepared for Climate Change project have allowed for the validation of methodologies and tools to enable spaces for citizen participation as an essential pillar of good governance. This in turn increases governability, participation, effectiveness in public administration and accountability.
Citizen Participation in Electoral Processes
2.23 Community groups present agendas to 325 municipal government candidates
MPG partner organizations and the grassroots groups they work with completed the construction, validation, and presentation of municipal and community agendas. This process involved 5,528 people from 107 communities, of which 76% were women and 48% youth.
With broad mobilization at the community and municipal levels, the agendas were presented to a total of 325 candidates (167 women and 158 men). A total of 7 forums, 18 territorial dialogue sessions and 44 bilateral dialogue sessions were held with candidates for mayor, deputy mayor and municipal councils.
During these events, women, youth, and local stakeholders discussed priority issues and proposed solutions, as well as made requests for structured spaces for dialogue between municipal authorities and leaders, community groups, and local organizations.
The candidates to whom the agenda was presented were primarily from the PLC, FSLN and CxL, respectively. The following chart shows the distribution by party, in absolute numbers.
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Chart #1 Candidates (by political party) who learned of the agendas
2 FSLN 30 74 PLC 30 CxL
12 PC 14 ALN 13 PLI PRD 94 56 APRE YATAMA
Top row: Unión de Mujeres Organizadas de Yasica Sur (UMOYS) and Unión de Mujeres Organizadas de Jucuapa (UMOJ) met candidates from both the FSLN and PLC. Middle row: Youth from Bluefields and Chinandega presented their agendas. Bottom row: Women from Juigalpa and Matagalpa, respectively, presented their agenda.
2.24 Synthesized Agenda completed for youth on the Caribbean Coast
Youth from seven communities of Laguna de Perlas (Tasbapouni, Marshall Point, Haulover, Raitipura, Awas, Orinoco, Laguna de Perlas) and five from the municipality of Bluefields (Isla Rama Cay, Las Breñas, El Bluff, Bluefields, Corn Island) met to share their agendas to create a
28 MUNICIPAL GOVERNANCE PROGRAM AID 524 -10 - 00006 single, unified shared agenda for youth in the region, to guide advocacy and work at the local and community level.
Youth members of the CoMAJ and youth groups who work with Christian Medical Action (AMC) shared their ideas in two meetings in Laguna de Perlas on October 31 and Bluefields on November 1 (20 youth in each meeting). Both meetings were designed with participatory and entertaining methodologies. As a result of this coordination between BICU and AMC, the youth now have a unified shared agenda in digital format for their use as a tool for dialogue and advocacy with authorities.
Youth meeting in Laguna de Perlas.
2.25 Organizations and Community Groups take ownership of agendas as a tool for local management and advocacy
The value of the consultation process and the preparation of agendas as a facilitator for local dialogue and advocacy had been foreseen. However, local ownership of the agendas was strengthened in the reporting period as a means of mobilizing around issues and highlighting population demands. Community groups visited local media outlets to publicize priorities and proposals of women and youth. In the September session of the Municipal Council of Camoapa, leaders from the women’s and youth groups working with the Municipal Development Association (ADM) presented their agendas before the plenary session and formally delivered these to the acting mayor (of the FSLN) and the council secretary.
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Unión de Mujeres Organizadas de Chacaraseca (UMOCS) on the local radio.
2.26 Local leaders consulted by local media outlets
As a result of the agenda creation process, women, men and young leaders have become sources of information for local media outlets who see them as visible figures of the communities they represent.
Members of the Red de Mujeres Chontaleñas have been consulted by local media (Canal 17 of Juigalpa and Radio Amerrisque in Cuapa) regarding various agenda topics. COMAJ members in the RACCS have been invited by local radio stations (La Costeñísima, Única, Bluefields Stéreo, Siempre Joven) and local television spots (El Meridiano y Noticinco) to share reflections and analysis on various topics. Moreover, the COMAJ of Corn Island was invited to a discussion by the official radio station of the Mayor’s Office.
2.27 Opportunities identified for dialogue with elected officials
The presentation of the agendas was a form of initiating dialogue with political parties. In the municipalities of Boaco, candidates and councilors from the opposition parties promised to support the management of the agendas, and included areas in their programs that coincide with the proposed women and youth agendas (for example, infrastructure, land for sports fields, and employment creation for youth and women). In Camoapa, the new authorities (of an opposition party to the national government) continue to be open to dialogue with youth and women leaders in the municipality.
Some newly-elected municipal councilors were directly involved in the construction of community and municipal agendas, and were part of the definition of priorities, proposed solutions, and collaborative relationships and partnerships constructed at the community and local levels. This represents a huge opportunity for ownership of the proposals, as well as for municipal dialogue and management of agendas.
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Citizen Innovation Fund
2.28 Five projects began implementation while five more were approved
The Citizen Innovation Fund commenced implementation of five new projects (in addition to one that began in the previous quarter). Furthermore, five final innovation projects were approved by USAID. These initiatives encourage citizen participation and advocacy by applying new techniques, processes, formats and technological communication tools in order to build the capacity of youth (among others) and generate public opinion.
Table # 12 Progress of innovation projects # Entity Title Objective Progress Target Address the 8 forum theaters 16 forum theaters Teatro Justo The public is the culture of fear and 1 theater 1 theater group 1 Rufino Garay actor and self- group formed 50 teatro invisibles (TJRG) censorship (invisible theaters)
Cultural recovery 3 studies in 3 studies of practices to Promote safe Movimiento de progress 21 outreach events prevent gender- communities for 2 Mujeres Nidia (information 2 forums based violence in women, children White (MMNW) collected and 15 training indigenous and adolescents processed) workshops for communities community members 3 training Training in 6 training workshops workshops in Reclaiming generational in Managua and 6 in Managua and 3 in women’s rights change and León Grupo Feminista León 3 through new digital 3 participation events de León 1 participation digital campaigns in mobilization event in technologies against gender actions mobilization violence 1 online campaign actions Enredadas por el 80 participants Demonstrate the 75 participants arte y la 7 civil society contribution of 5 civil society tecnología FemHack Central organizations 4 women in the organizations (Interconnected America participating in technology participating in through art and 14 presented sector. 8 presented ventures technology) ventures
5 meetings to Institute of Promote an strengthen the Research and InnoVamos ecosystem of 3 meetings held 5 community of Social Initiative Laboratory social innovation innovators (INGES) in Nicaragua. 2 innovative social projects carried out Empower young 2 Media Art Lab online activists workshops Communications 1 Media Art Lab Media Art Lab for with the use of 20 pieces created and 6 Research Center workshop held Social Change information and disseminated (CINCO) 17 pieces created communications 2 Expo shows technology. 3 street interventions
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2.29 More than 1,000 people participated in activities related to innovation projects
To date, more than 1,000 people have participated, either directly or indirectly, in the activities promoted through the six innovation projects. The variety of actions include theatrical productions with forums for discussion, theater classes, participatory workshops, innovation labs, training workshops on audiovisual techniques and formats, and national and international panels and exchanges.
Table # 13 Participants and progress of the innovation projects events # Innovation Events carried Participants Main achievement out 1 800 leaders, students, 8 forum theaters LGBT community Youth group trained in the analysis of
The public is members, youth and social realities and women's rights, and 1 course on the actor women. committed to contributing to social change theater 20 students in the in an innovative manner. techniques theater course.
2 Recovery of cultural 3 “Safe practices to Community” Positive practices of protection against 200 people consulted in prevent workshops violence have been observed in two of the three indigenous gender-based 12 focus groups three communities, transmitted orally and communities violence in 20 interview applied at the discretion of leaders. indigenous sessions communities 3 13 young women from León and 14 from Reclaiming 6 workshops on Managua, students and women’s gender-based Through the production of audiovisual professionals from rights violence and pieces, youth (who previously had no Poneloya, El Coyolar, through new online activism. organizational experience) promoted the Postega, León, Ciudad digital (3 in Managua defense of women’s rights. Sandino, Managua, technologies and 3 in León) Tipitapa, Matéate, and Estelí. 4 4 panels The third FemHack brought together local, 80 young women from FemHack 5 workshops national, and international feminist several municipalities in 2017 - CA 1 discussion activists from across Central America to Managua group strengthen alliances. 5 5 meetings- workshops by 40 people, the majority the InnoVamos being young university The InnoVamos community has taken over InnoVamos Community: students from Managua, the implementation of the Innovaciones Lab 3 planning Matagalpa, Masaya, Ciudadanas projects, and are now creating sessions and Puerto Cabeza and and self-managing them. implementation Carazo. of innovations. 6 Media Art 1 Media Art Lab 20 young persons Youth leadership was acknowledged as Lab for Social workshop in organized from having the capacity to communicate ideas Change Bluefields Bluefields, Laguna de and demands in an innovative manner. Perlas, Corn Island and El Rama.
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2.30 The Fund for Citizen Innovation reaches non-traditional target groups
The theater classes offered through the project, “The Public is the Actor,” implemented by the Justo Rufino Garay theater company, have revealed how youth activists and entrepreneurs see theater as a tool not only with an artistic purpose, but also a way to carry out advocacy actions in an innovative manner that contributes to social change. There are twenty youth (13 women and 7 men) between the ages of 18 and 29 years old who are students or university graduates from various backgrounds (social communication, computer science, law, agricultural engineering, graphic design, English, and accounting). Some are community facilitators, politicians and entrepreneurs. They take classes four hours per day, four times per week, on topics such as theater techniques, gender-based violence, and context/social reality analysis. This is a group of young people committed to communicating their thoughts and positive messages, while promoting critical and proactive reflection through theater.
The “InnoVamos Lab” of INGES seeks to nurture a community of innovators. Comprised of 40 people (21 women and 19 men) between the ages of 16 and 40 years, the InnoVamos Lab draws on people from different municipalities. Some are independent youth (university students, artists, computer scientists), while others are organized (representatives of organizations such as Padres Unidos por el Dolor, Observatorio contra el Acoso Callejero, Organización por la Defensa del Consumidor, and Centro de Mujeres Isnin, among others). With a desire to do new things, half of participants had never participated in social or political activism prior to joining the InnoVamos Lab. With an emphasis on organization, the Innovamos community allows its members to try new things and take action. This has been demonstrated by the recent implementation of two citizen innovation actions: Defensa del Consumidor y Acoso Callejero (Consumer Protection and Street Harassment).
On the left, students and teachers from the Justo Rufino Garay Theater. On the right, members of the InnoVamos community.
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III. III SIGNIFICANT CONSTRAINTS/LESSONS LEARNED AND BEST PRACTICES
3.1 CONSTRAINT: Electoral situation affects project implementation
Due to the municipal electoral context (prior to, during and post-electoral race), some of the project activities were affected in terms of the implementation time as a result of the electoral campaign and the tension that prevailed in several municipalities where the Program operated.
Corrective measure: Partner organizations rescheduled the activities to be carried out in mid-October and early November to the third or fourth week of November 2017.
3.2 CONSTRAINT: Process of budgetary consultation carried out without adherence to the law
Once again, the difference in terms of qualitative and quantitative participation was evident in the consultation process for the 2018 municipal budgets in municipalities not governed by the FSLN. In these localities, certain elements of the process mandated by municipal legislation are carried out, such as the existence and dissemination of the consultation calendar, which in turn motivates citizens to participate in such events. This does not occur in the municipal governments led by the FSLN, where there is little information on the dates and locations of town hall meetings and municipal council sessions.
Corrective measure: The CoMAJ and Citizen Networks, supported by BICU and FUMSAMI respectively, requested hearings or special meetings through lobbying with municipal authorities to present project proposals. In addition, to the extent possible, they participated in the municipal council sessions, where they were informed of the meeting dates.
3.3 BEST PRACTICE: Partnerships and synergies between youth groups
Joint efforts were made by BICU, APRODER and youth groups, along with other local entities, such as the Association for Promotion and Rural Development (AJIP) of New Guinea and CENIDH Chontales, to share experiences and encourage the coordination of efforts in actions that benefit youth and their localities. These include key areas such as defending human rights, entrepreneurship, youth leadership, and online activism.
3.4 BEST PRACTICE: Support organizations to obtain funds
Through the organizational development component, the project coordinators of the MGP, FUMSAMI and Red Afro were supported in the formulation of project proposals to the UN WOMEN Fund. With the technical support of an expert consultant who had
34 MUNICIPAL GOVERNANCE PROGRAM AID 524 -10 - 00006 extensive experience with the UN and in the area of gender, the proposals were submitted by the December 5, 2017 deadline. The results will be announced in May 2018.
3.7 CONSTRAINT: Electoral violence caused delays in the project in Bilwi
As a result of the electoral violence in Bilwi, the project implemented by the Nidia White Women’s Movement was significantly delayed two times. During the surveying of field data, the partner organization reported that it had to leave the communities ahead of time due to the presence of political party representatives. In addition, returning to communities to resume data collection was delayed by acts of violence that were fueled by discontent with electoral results.
Corrective measure: Faced with this situation, the Nidia White Women's Movement decided to modify its work methodology1, leaving the recovery of the traditional indigenous practice for office work. Finally, Nidia White was able to enter the community a third time. This time, however, they presented the recovered indigenous practice to the community so that residents could validate it.
3.8 CHALLENGE: The lack of legal persons continues to limit the delivery of funds
The main challenge for the Fondo para la Innovación Ciudadana (Fund for Citizen Innovation) has been to support proposals presented by emerging groups or individuals, who neither have legal status nor are legally registered, and who also have little experience in fund management and accountability in institutional formats. Approving proposals with such limitations implies delays in implementation2 (especially when managing the figure from the Registro Único del Contribuyente (Taxpayer Registry - RUC), signatures from agreements and contracts, use of funds and correct financial reports.
Corrective measure: Two alternative options were considered for these applicants: organizations that allocate funds and in kind agreements. In both cases, Global Communities has made technical and logistical efforts, including financial assistance in the form of hiring staff to attend to this demanding logistical work.
1 The original methodological design was to remain in the community long enough to be able to gather information and recover the traditional indigenous practice, while also validating it with residents on an ongoing basis. 2 Grupo Feminista de León signed an agreement in September 2017. However, they were not able to initiate the project until November due to a lack of financial and logistical capacity.
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IV. PLANNED ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Citizens Participation Quarter Citizen Participation Institutional strengthening in Electoral Process Q2 • Organizaciones socias han participado en el 1er cabildo de rendición de cuentas de la ejecución del • Aplicación de seguimiento con el • Directivos de las OPCD presupuesto municipal 2017. instrumento ARC a 16 de Bluefields, Laguna de FY2018 • Exposición Vivas las Queremos en Bilwi en asociación con Mujeres Creativas Lapta Yula y Radio Caribe. Organizaciones Socias y Perlas y Corn Island • Taller sobre Periodismo y producción de video 360 VR Organismos de Base (FUMSAMI, evalúan las Agendas Ene – • Mejorado, relanzado y divulgado el sitio Voces contra la Violencia. APRODER, AMJOLU, FECONORI, Municipales y la • El sitio ha sido trasladado al IEEPP y es relanzado. CoMAJ Corn Island, CoMAJ campaña realizada en Mar 18 Mi Presupuesto Municipal Abierto • Presentación pública de resultados de Monitoreo Social. Bluefields). octubre para • Intercambio entre Comisiones de Juventud de los CDM y otros grupos juveniles locales. • Realizada Encuentro sobre visibilizarlas, e • Las Redes Comunitarias por la Equidad de Género de Muelle de los Bueyes y Santo Domingo se afilian Auditoría Social con Técnicos de identifican estrategias a una red o movimiento nacional para la defensa de los derechos de las mujeres. Organizaciones Socia y Aliadas de para continuar posicionándolas en la • Las Comisiones de Juventud de los CDM de Muelle de los Bueyes y San Pedro de Lóvago se afilian a una Trocaire. red o plataforma nacional para la defensa de los derechos de la juventud. • Fortalecimiento de la capacidad sociedad y los tomadores de decisiones. • Elaboradas guías de facilitación de trabajo con pares (adolescentes y jóvenes) de los CoMAJ, en materia organizativa de grupos de mujeres de liderazgo, ciudadanía y autonomía. con discapacidad y mujeres • Realizadas acciones de cuidadoras de personas con divulgación, • Desarrollado proceso formativo entre pares de los CoMAJ, sobre liderazgo, ciudadanía, género, autonomía y normativa Municipal. discapacidad de los municipios de posicionamiento e Bluefields, Laguna de Perlas y incidencia a nivel local. • Ejecutados talleres municipales de los CoMAJ sobre equidad de género y nuevas Masculinidades. Corn Island, para que conformen • Realizado intercambio • Elaborado y ejecutado planes comunicacionales de los CoMAJ grupos de autoayuda y continúen metodológico para • Desarrollada sesiones de la Mesa de Concertación en Juventud de la RACCS. juntas luchen por sus derechos. seguimiento y • Implementado el plan de formación de miembros de la Mesa de Concertación en Juventud de la RACCS • Asociaciones de PCD evalúan por documentación de los • Encuentro Regional para la presentación de política Regional de Juventud. municipio el impacto de las primeros 100 días de • Realizada feria ciudadana de FUMSAMI que sensibilice y genere reflexión sobre la necesidad de acciones durante el gestión municipal articular esfuerzos multi-actores a favor del medioambiente. acompañamiento del programa y • Presentado el Informe de • Concluido ciclo de formación Feminista AMJOLU. definen estrategias colectivas para Sistematización de • AMJOLU han realizado una auditoría social sobre el rol de Auxilio Judicial de la Policía en sustitución su sostenibilidad. posicionamiento de de la comisaría de la mujer. • Producida dos catálogos con agendas. • AMJOLU ha incidido en la aplicación del enfoque de género en el presupuesto municipal de Bluefields. historias de vida de mujeres • 7ma reunión de • Elaborada, diseñada y distribuida versión popular de las leyes 28 y 445, de autonomía y demarcación rurales y mujeres con discapacidad organizaciones socias. territorial. que destacan su lucha por derechos.
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Citizens Participation Quarter Citizen Participation Institutional strengthening in Electoral Process • Presentada la evaluación y sistematización del Gobierno Comunal Creole de Bluefields en el período • Formación en auto cuido y del 2009-2013 a fin de visibilizar aportes y desafíos en la defensa de los derechos de la comunidad contención a víctimas de violencia afrodescendientes. con lideresas de AMJOLU, • Identificada la ruta de acceso de gestión cívica, legal, jurídica y política para la promoción y defensa Comunidad Creole y FECONORI. del derecho consuetudinario de los pueblos afrodescendientes. • Publicada y distribuida la Ley 763 • FECONORI y Los Pipitos dan seguimiento a la ejecución del presupuesto de la Alcaldía de Bluefields en versión educativa. para la construcción de la Casa “Esperanza Bradley” de Los Pipitos. • Asociaciones de personas con discapacidad (sobre todo de Bluefields), fortalecen sus alianzas con entidades públicas, organizaciones civiles y empresarios privados para realizar acciones conjuntas. • Personas con discapacidad de Bluefields y Laguna de Perlas participan de cursos vocacionales sobre “Técnicas básicas de masaje” y “Mantenimiento y reparación de sillas de rueda y medios auxiliares” organizados por Educación para el Éxito – FADCANIC. • Aprobados 5 nuevos proyectos del Fondo para la Innovación Ciudadana. • Realizadas acciones de teatro invisible y teatro foro para promover el debate y opinión pública sobre la violencia de género y la cultura de miedo y autocensura. • Nidia White ha realizado investigación sobre prácticas ancestrales para construir comunidades seguras y compartidas con actores locales. • Desarrolladas capacidades sobre ciberactivismo en jóvenes para realizar cibercampaña a favor de los derechos de las mujeres. • Desarrolladas capacidades en liderazgo juvenil para la creación de productos multimedia para la promoción de los derechos humanos y agendas juveniles. • INGES ha desarrollo de acciones innovadora para promover la defensa de los derechos de los consumidores y la reducción del acoso callejero. • FADCANIC ha iniciado los encuentros de las autoridades comunales/territoriales con autoridades regionales para la organización institucional de la propiedad comunal en los territorios indígenas de las regiones autónomas del caribe nicaragüense. • FADCANIC ha iniciado la construcción colectiva de mecanismos de resolución de conflictos en base a reglamentos de gobernanza de otros territorios indígenas. • FADCANIC ha desarrollado 1er encuentro de los representantes territoriales para articular con la CONADETI una estrategia de seguimiento a la implementación de acciones de saneamiento en los territorios indígenas. Q3 • Ejecutadas iniciativas locales de los CoMAJ para el ejercicio del liderazgo juvenil y la construcción de • Publicación de Cuaderno “Género y • Realizadas acciones de ciudadanía. Gobernabilidad”. divulgación, FY2018 • Culminada la sistematización de experiencias del trabajo y fortalecimiento de los CoMAJ apoyados por • Difundido Tutorial sobre posicionamiento e la BICU a través del Programa de Gobernabilidad Local entre 2013 y 2018. construcción de Presupuestos incidencia a nivel local. • Formulados y divulgados Presupuestos Ciudadanos. Ciudadanos. • Presentados Informes de 100 días de gestión de
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Citizens Participation Quarter Citizen Participation Institutional strengthening in Electoral Process Apr – • Puesta en escena de obras teatrales de los CoMAJ relativas al liderazgo, la ciudadanía y la participación • Publicada y distribuida versión los gobiernos Jun 18 juvenil. educativa de la Ley 769. municipales. • Formulada una propuesta base de la Política de Juventud de la RACCS y su Plan de Acción. • Presentación de • Ejecutadas acciones de teatro invisible y teatro foro para promover el debate y opinión pública sobre informes y cierre de la violencia de género y la cultura de miedo y autocensura. proyectos. • Desarrollo de capacidades sobre ciberactivismo en jóvenes para realizar cibercampaña a favor de los • Presentación Final de derechos de las mujeres. sistematización de las • Desarrollo de capacidades en liderazgo juvenil para la creación de productos multimedia para la experiencias de promoción de los derechos humanos y agendas juveniles construcción, • Realizados eventos de divulgación y promoción del activismo social y los derechos humanos en posicionamiento y Bluefields y Managua. seguimiento de agendas. • Desarrollo de acciones innovadora para promover la defensa de los derechos de los consumidores y la reducción del acoso callejero. • INVERMEDIA ha desarrollo de foros y encuentros, para promover el debate público discutiendo y definir una agenda temas relevantes de la agenda nacional de comunicación. • YASER MORAZAN ha realizado acciones de animación y promoción de la participación ciudadana juvenil por medio de un ciber-concurso. • EnRedadas ha desarrollado un medio digital feminista que promueva los derechos de las mujeres y realce el aporte social de las mimas. • FUNDECOM ha desarrollado el primer Sistema de Alerta Temprana para Prevenir Femicidios. • LUCIERNAGA ha desarrolladas capacidades para realizar activismo y ciberctivismo juvenil en pro de prevenir la violencia de género y el embarazo adolescente. • Intercambio de experiencias de Innovación entre los socios del Fondo. • Evento de cierre del Fondo para la Innovación Ciudadana. • FADCANIC ha culminado Talleres de capacitación y formulación de Normas y Reglamentos de Saneamiento Territorial y Administración de Recursos Naturales. • FADCANIC ha aplicado 100 encuestas sobre la caracterización, clasificación y calificaciones de terceros naturales y jurídicos dentro del territorio Twi Yahbra y Tawira. • FADCANIC ha creado bases de datos sobre la clasificación y calificación de terceros para implementar los tratamientos de saneamientos. • FADCANIC ha realizado encuentros territoriales para acompañar al Diálogo inter-territorial entre AMASAU, Twi Yahbra y WTTR, con la participación de la CONADETI para la solución de conflictos entre comunidades.
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V. ANNEXES
The following annexes are attached:
1. MGP Project List 2. MGP Logical Framework Indicator Report 3. MGP Trainet Report 4. MGP Cost Share Report 5. MGP Accruals 6. MGP Alliances 7. The Carter Center Quarterly Report 8. NDI Quarterly Report
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