Quaterly Report

MUNICIPAL GOVERNANCE PROGRAM AID 524 -10 - 00006

Municipal Governance Program

QUARTERLY REPORT

January 01 – March 31, 2018

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACRONYMS 3

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 5

II. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS 19

III. SIGNIFICANT CONSTRAINTS/LESSONS LEARNED

AND BEST PRACTICES 44

IV. PLANNED ACCOMPLISHMENTS 46

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ACRONYMS

ADDAC Diversification and Communal Agricultural Development Association AMDES Multidisciplinary Development Association ADIFIM Association of Individuals with a Disability in Motor Skills ADM Municipal Development Association AMC Christian Medical Action AMJOLU Young Women Fighters Association ANSNIC National Nicaraguan Association for the Deaf APADEIM Association for the Comprehensive Development of Women APPDJ Association of Pensioners with Disability and Retirees 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 CDM Municipal Development Committee CEIMM Center for Studies and Investigations on Multiethnic Woman CEPS Center for Studies and Social Promotion CESESMA Health and Environmental Education Service Center CIG Interagency Gender Commission CODES Natural Disaster Operations Center CoMAJ Municipal Committee of Adolescents and Youth COMUPRED Municipal Disaster Prevention Committee CSO Civil Society Organization DGI General Income Directorate DPO Disabled Person’s Organization ENATEL National Electric Transmission Company FADCANIC Foundation for Autonomy and Development of the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua FECONORI Federation of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities GRACCN Autonomous Regional Government of the North Caribbean Coast FUMSAMI San Miguelitos’ Women Foundation INPESCA National Fishing Institute La Cuculmeca “La Cuculmeca” Education and Communication Association LGBT Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual Los Pipitos Los Pipitos Parents Association for parents of children with disabilities. MAG Mini Gravity Aqueduct MDS RACCS Sexual Diversity Movement Southern Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region MGP Municipal Governance Program MIFAM Ministry of Family Affairs MINED Ministry of Education MTI Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure NGO Non-Governmental Organization ODHA Human and Autonomy Rights OCD Organizational Capacity Development OCN-MT “Marisela Toledo” Organization for the Nicaraguan Blind OCTUPAN Octupan Association ORD “Ernesto Che Guevara” Organization for Revolutionaries with Disabilities

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PCD Persons with Disabilities GR General Budget of the Republic PRODESSA Center for Advancement and Counseling in Research and Development in the Agricultural Sector PwD Person with Disabilities RACCN Northern Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region RACCS Southern Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region Red Afro Network of Afro-Latin-American and Afro-Caribbean Women and Women of the Diaspora Red Local Nicaraguan Network for Democracy and Local Development SEPRODIS Regional Secretariat for the Articulation of Human Rights of Individuals with Disabilities TRANSMUNI Municipal Transfer System UNAN National Autonomous University of Nicaragua UNICAM University in the Field URACCAN University of the Autonomous Regions of the Nicaraguan Caribbean Coast

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I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

IR 1.1: Citizen Participation Activities Promoted

1.1.1: Participation in the Municipal Budget Cycle

1.1.3: Awareness-raising and public education campaigns

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spots, testimonials of model family program participants, and participation in the annual May carnival parade. Implement surveys to measure • 390 surveys conducted in Bluefields in October. Complete impact of blueEnergy campaign. • 60% of municipal respondents reported having heard MGP Climate Change messaging. • 89% of 4 intervention neighborhoods respondents reported having heard MGP Climate Change messaging. Campaign to promote • Red Afro’s communication campaign was Complete recognition and rights of broadcast on Radio Costeñísima and TV, in the Afrodescendent and indigenous municipality of Bluefields. groups in the national census. • 80% of respondents surveyed confirmed having heard one or more campaign message.

1.1.4: Increasing the effectiveness and sustainability of efforts to advance the rights of persons with disabilities

1.1.5: Formation of stakeholder groups categorized by common interest in the RACCS, Chontales, and Rio San Juan

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advocacy with companies, Association, who are using the plan for advocacy institutions and local actors. and promotion. Development Training Program • 80 leaders and community members (80% Complete on Community Organization, women) of San Miguelito and El Almendro Gender, Environment and participated in the training program. Citizenship. Participatory creation of a • 2 diagnostic processes and community resilience Complete socio-environmental plans finalized in two neighborhoods in San community plan in a prioritized Miguelito and El Almendro. neighborhood of San Miguelito. Information fair that raises • 110 people included in municipal government Complete awareness and generates representatives, civil society actors, community reflection on the need for members, and citizen network members activities that benefit the participated in an informative fair implemented environment. by FUMSAMI.

1.1.6: Strengthening efforts to combat gender-based violence and violence against women

List the major activities List Key Achievements by Activity Indicate the status of undertaken during the review these activities in period that contributed to the relation to approved activity objective/results. action/work plan and schedule. If different from work plan, why? Establishment of alliances • Alliances created with Coordinator of Rural Complete between the Gender Equality Women at the national level, and with the Community Networks of Muelle Association of Rural Workers at the local level de los Bueyes and Santo (Juigalpa). Domingo with local organizations / national networks, to defend the rights of women. Completion of the gender • 80 community leaders (50% women) participated Complete training program for the 3 in the gender training program. CDMs. Implementation of Gender • Santo Domingo allocated 6,500,000 cordobas to Complete Commission advocacy plans in a Gender Fund as a result of advocacy of the Muelle de los Bueyes and Santo CDM Gender Commission. Domingo. Municipal workshops for CoMAJ • 182 adolescents and youth (61% women) Complete on gender equity and new participated in workshops on gender equity and masculinities. new masculinities implemented by BICU. Reflection Sessions on Gender • 116 young women and 80 young men from 4 Complete (Women Only) and New COMAJ participated in session on gender and Masculinities (Men Only). new masculinities hosted by BICU. Forum "The rights of women • 80 community leaders and public officials Complete and youth versus public participated in the forum hosted by FUMSAMI. perceptions". Analysis of violence • Canceled due to funding and timing challenges. Cancelled observatories to investigate limitations, systemization of best practices, and publication of report. Workshop on different • Postponed until issues facing the site are Postponed / Ongoing methodologies for violence resolved; will be completed next quarter. observatories to harmonize, synthesize, or complement / coordinate information, and

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relaunch the violence observatory Voces.org Workshops for university • AMJOLU led 5 workshops at BICU with 40 Complete students addressing issues of participants each (60% women). the rights of young women. Reflective sessions with • 15 journalists (10 women) participated in two Complete journalists on violence against workshops to reflect on the concept of gender women. and gender sensitive best practices in reporting cases of violence against women. Street activism promoting • AMJOLU, partnering with the Movimiento Complete women's rights. Autoconvocado de Mujeres, displayed the Viva las Queremos photoexpo of testimonials of 18 victims of femicide in the central park of Bluefields followed by a silent march to promote women’s rights. • AMJOLU organized theater presentations in Bluefields, Laguna de Perlas, y El Rama in commemoration of International Women’s Day to highlight gender issues. • In Bluefields, AMJOLU organized a cultural activity for 180 people on International Women’s Day to promote dialogue about gender based violence and machismo. Social audit to follow up on • Activity was not implemented because it was Not implemented reports of violence. determined that AMJOLU does not have the capacity to successfully conduct a complete social audit. This would have required significant training first. Information sessions on the • Meetings held with 40 women from two Complete importance of participation in neighborhoods of Bluefields to highlight the the gender committees. importance of municipal gender committees. Promote dialogue sessions with • 2 dialogues held with local authorities to follow up Complete local authorities. on gender issues and funds at the municipal level. Participate in Council sessions • AMOJLU participated in 7 council sessions to Complete and in the gender committees promote municipal level issues related to to monitor the use of gender women’s rights and violence. funds. • AMJOLU discovered that there is not a functioning municipal gender coordinator, as there should be. • The Bluefields municipal council discussed the importance of a gender coordinator and committed to putting that system in place. Feminist training course • 25 young women finished the final cycle of Complete Feminist Training from AMJOLU, demonstrating increased ability for analysis, and ability to denounce violence, report violence, etc.

1.1.7: Inclusion and participation of local journalists

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"Systematization" of work • Modified due to financing and timing issues. A Modified experience with local ‘light’ version will be completed during the final journalists. workshop (video interviews, etc).

1.1.8: Strengthening of youth groups and their capacity for advocacy

List the major activities List Key Achievements by Activity Indicate the status of undertaken during the review these activities in period that contributed to the relation to approved activity objective/results. action/work plan and schedule. If different from work plan, why? Implementation of advocacy • Advocacy Plan completed and under Complete plans for the CDM youth implementation. commissions in Muelle de los • First action is the plan to advocate for the Bueyes. rehabilitation of 9 water systems in the municipality of Muelle de los Bueyes. Several of the rehabilitations were included in the 2018 municipal budget. Exchange between CDM Youth • 60 people (47% women, 80% youth) participated Complete Commissions and other local in the regional youth meeting implemented by youth groups to share their APRODER. achievements and challenges. Design and publication of • Facilitation guide for peer work completed. Complete facilitation guides for peer work • This tool will be used in peer-led trainings by the (adolescents and youth) in COMAJ. leadership, gender, citizenship and autonomy. Formulation and • 10 local initiatives developed by the COMAJ, 65 Formulation implementation of local youth (53% women) participated in the complete, initiatives by the CoMAJ formulation of these projects. implementation • Implementation will begin next quarter. pending Peer-led training on leadership, • Pending, next quarter. Pending citizenship, gender, autonomy and municipal regulations. Meetings of the youth round • 4 meetings of youth round table were held, Ongoing, although table of the RAACS. organized by BICU. there were delays related to XXXX Capacity building and training • 18 members of the Youth Round Table Ongoing Q3 FY18 for members of the Youth participated in a training on sustainability and Round Table. advocacy. Regional Meeting for the • Pending next quarter Ongoing. Q3 FY18 Presentation of Regional Youth Policy. Training on rights and history of • Comunidad Creole implemented the training for Complete the Caribbean coast. 120 people (30% women) in the communities of Bluefields, El Bluff, Kukura Hill, and El Rama. Design, produce and implement • Delayed, and will now be funded directly by Ongoing Q3 FY18 a communication campaign Global Communities during the next quarter. focused on the dissemination of civic education.

1.1.9: Strengthening of groups promoting indigenous and Afrodescendent rights

List the major activities List Key Achievements by Activity Indicate the status of undertaken during the review these activities in relation to approved

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period that contributed to the action/work plan and activity objective/results. schedule. If different from work plan, why? Design a user-friendly version of • Design is complete and will be printed next Ongoing law 445 and law 28 on the rights quarter. of Afrodescendent and indigenous peoples. Support the development of the • Completed the annual operative plan with Complete Annual Operative Plan of the Comunidad Creole. Priority is to continue Communal Creole Government educating on the importance of Afrodescendent of Bluefields. history and rights, at community level. Support the communal • Over 300 (30% women) people participated in the Complete consultative assembly, focusing communal assembly in February. on community organization and • Identified potential leaders for board of directors, rights. planned future activities. Evaluation and Systematization • Completed in February. Findings were that the Complete of the Creole Communal Communal Government will continue to function Government of Bluefields in with or without outside support, and that order to highlight lessons, community members must be further trained on contributions and challenges. Afrodescendent and Indigenous rights and legal processes to defend them. Establish alliances and • Comunidad Creole participated in two Complete coordination between international forums where they created strategic Comunidad Creole and national alliances. and international organizations • Held meetings with national organizations in and groups. Nicaragua to strengthen coordination and alliances. Work with Commissions on the • Worked with Census Commission two conduct Complete Census, conduct visits to two sessions in secondary schools to discuss the neighborhoods, schools and theme of the census and self-identification. church. Advocacy on ethnic self- • Red Afro conducted outreach in Bluefields in Complete identification through order to promote dialogue and raise awareness of discussion of Caribbean coast ethnic self-identification and the history of the history, at schools, sports Caribbean Coast in Nicaragua. events, and churches. Workshops to support • Six workshops held in the 4 territories. Meetings Ongoing territorial government and workshops are ongoing, and the regulations authorities to produce should be complete next quarter. regulations governing land rights and land conflict mediation in 4 indigenous territories of the RACCS Training of territorial • Two workshops held with territorial technical Ongoing government technical staff in staff. Further workshops are planned for next the rights and processes of land quarter. rights and regulations. Meetings with territorial leaders • Pending next quarter. Ongoing and CONADETI.

IR 1.2: Organizational Development assistance to CSOs provided

1.2.1: Technical Assistance for Organizational Development

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schedule. If different from work plan, why? Second application of self- • Applied to 39 young disabled women. Results are efficacy indicator for young being complied and will be presented next Complete / Ongoing women. quarter. • Applied to 34 women from San Miguelito, 36 young women from COMAJ Bluefields, Corn Second application of self- Island, and Laguna de Perlas, 22 women from efficacy indicator for rural Complete / Ongoing CDM Women’s Committees of Santo Domingo and women. Muelle de los Bueyes, and 8 women from Red Afro. Results will be reported next quarter. • 7 workshops held for 73 disabled women leaders and directors of partner DPOs • 1 exchange held with disabled persons in the rural Training sessions on gender and community of San Pancho. Complete equality. • Surveyed 33 disabled men, 17 who received gender workshops, and 16 who did not, in order to compare results. Training workshops on gender • Was requested by APRODER and FUMSAMI, but Suspended equality methodologies. suspended due to lack of funds. Postponed, in order to allow final DO Second application of ARC lite, activities, in order to • Will be applied next quarter. AMJOLU, Red Afro. get a better sense of improvement over time. Postponed, in order to allow final DO activities and get a Third application of ARC lite. • Will be applied next quarter. better sense of improvement over time. Postponed, in order to allow final DO Second application of ARC lite, activities and get a • Will be applied next quarter. CoMAJ, FUMSAMI. better sense of improvement over time.

IR 1.2.1: CSOs with the necessary skills to carry out citizen participation and oversight projects

1.2.2: Training for CSOs and community organizations to improve citizen participation and social audit activities

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Approval of manuals and • Provided support to AMJOLU to produce Ongoing institutional documents. accounting manual, human resources manual, and operative manual. • Final version pending feedback form AMJOLU. Workshop on the use of open • Activity was deprioritized by Red Afro, which Canceled data sites for social audits. preferred support of self-care and support for the application to the United Nations Fund. Design of a guide to • Delayed due to reduced obligation, but should be Ongoing development of citizen budgets. implemented next quarter pending additional funds. Publication of the gender and • Delayed due to reduced obligation, but should be Ongoing citizen participation guide. implemented next quarter pending additional funds. Consolidation and review • Removed because the goal was to support partner Canceled process for partner capacities in capacity in the final budget consultation session, the promotion of citizen and lack of funds delayed the consultancy that participation. was supposed to implement the process. Support the training plan of the • One sustainability training workshop was held in Ongoing RACCS Youth Round Table. March, second workshop will take place in Q3. • Identified cost-saving strategies to reduce costs while maintain activity levels. Transfer to partner NGO/CSO of • Delayed because of lack of funding, but is planned Ongoing the social monitoring and fiscal to happen next quarter. transparency blog.

1.2.3: Organizational Development Training and Technical Assistance for DPOs

IR 1.2.3: Women participated in DPO capacity building planning and processes

1.2.4: Training and technical assistance to develop gender action plans and empower women in DPOs Organizational Development Training and Technical Assistance for DPOs

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IR 1.3.1: Creative initiatives addressing citizen needs implemented

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Cyber-campaign to celebrate • Feministas de Leon began a campaign in March, Ongoing the successes of the fight for which will continue throughout the month of women's rights. May. So far, the campaign videos have had over 13,000 views. FEMHACK Centro Americano • Over 80 female cyberactivists from 4 countries Complete 2017, a hackathon to promote and 7 CSOs participated in a three day conference women's cyberactivism and on cyberactivism and gender inclusion in the inclusion in the technology technology sector hosted by EnRedadas. sector. Two expo-concerts to promote • Will happen next quarter Ongoing social activism and human rights, in Bluefields and Managua. Development of innovative • Online platform being developed for consumers to Ongoing activity to promote the defense protect their rights. Will be completed next of consumers' rights. quarter. Development of innovative • Display of 3 art exhibits that used sculpture, paint, Complete / Ongoing activity to promote the photography, and written testimonials to raise reduction of street harassment. awareness of issues of street harassment. • Development of online platform to report and track street harassment under way. Will be complete next quarter. Additional activities promoting • EnRedadas implementing La Quimera, and online Ongoing citizen participation. digital feminist review. • FUNDECOM is implementing an early alter system to prevent femicide in Villa Carmen, Managua. Event to present the results of • Planned for next quarter. Ongoing the Citizen Innovation Fund projects.

IR 2: CSOs have increased understanding of, commitment to, and capacity for public budget monitoring (completed in FY17)

IR 3: Vulnerable communities have increased knowledge and tools to participate in local climate change adaptation planning processes

3.1: Strengthening of “Model Families” and Climate Change Adaptation Community Centers

3.2: Community and Municipal Climate Change Adaptation Planning

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Finalization of the Municipal • Resilience plans for both communities were Complete Resilience plan for Corn Island finalized and published. and Muelle de los Bueyes. Finalization of the Community • San Pedro plan completed over the course of 8 Complete Resilience Plan for San Mateo meetings with the participation of 27 community and San Pedro, Bluefields. members (70% women), and approval by a 150- member citizen assembly. • San Mateo plan completed over the course of 3 workshops with the participation of 35 community members (49% women).

3.3: Including economic stakeholders in climate adaptation planning

3.4: Awareness-raising forums

List the major activities List Key Achievements by Activity Indicate the status of these undertaken during the review activities in relation to period that contributed to the approved action/work plan activity objective/results. and schedule. If different from work plan, why? Forum closing activity for the • Occurred in December, attended by 117 Complete Climate Resilience component representatives of civil society, international donor community, and community representatives and municipal governments from the Caribbean Coast.

3.5: Advocacy to implement community and municipal plans

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A. Activity Constraints and Mitigation Plan: Indicate specific implementation problems encountered that could have a negative impact on What action did the project take to manage the the achievement of results during the reporting problem and what was the result? period. MGP revised the fiscal year work plan, and closed out the international subawards early, in order to redirect those financial resources towards local subawards and MGP received a lower fiscal year budget than activities. Due to lower-than expected savings from the originally planned during the preparation of the fiscal international subawards, as well as several climate year work plan. change component partners, MGP experienced a financial shortfall that required delaying several activities. We don’t expect this to affect achievement of overall FY18 indicators.

B. Security: Indicate any security issues during the last 6 months What action, if any, did the project and what was the including the date, who was involved with the result? incident, and what occurred. No security issues encountered during the reporting

period.

C. Performance Management Plan Results (only those indicators to be reported to USAID)

FY 18 Indicator Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total Explanation for + or - 10% target Custom: Former 2.2.3-3 Number of 30 34 19 53 Local Mechanisms Supported with USG Assistance for Citizens to Engage their Sub-national Government Custom: Former 2.4.1-1 Number of 20 20 20 Civil Society Organizations using USG Assistance to Improve Internal Organizational Capacity Custom: Former 2.4.1-2 Number of 22 18 4 22 Civil Society Organizations using USG Assistance to Promote Civic Participation Custom: Former 2.4.1-3 Number of 2 0 1 1 CSO Advocacy Campaigns Supported by USG DR.5.2-1: Former 2.4.2-8 Number of 5 0 0 0 A workshop for journalists is planned training days provided to in the next quarter (May 2018). This journalists with USG Assistance, indicator will be reported when the measured by person-days of training concludes. training. Number of men 13 0 0 0

Number of women 13 0 0 0

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DR.4.2-2: Former 2.4.1-9 Number of 20 18 3 21 civil society organizations (CSOs) receiving USG assistance engaged in advocacy interventions. Number of groups working on 2 1 0 1 LGBTI issues.

Number of women's rights groups 9 7 1 8

Number of indigenous people's 1 1 0 1 groups

Number of disability rights 1 1 0 1 organizations

Number of groups working on 0 0 0 0 religious freedom

Other 7 8 2 10

Custom: Former 2.4.1-6 Number of 600 280 305 585 Considering the progress of this people who have completed civic indicator and the workshops planned education programs in the next quarter we expect an overachievement of the target. Number of men 240 77 115 192

Number of women 360 203 190 393

Custom: Number of initiatives 150 213 0 213 presented by citizens and CSOs to local governments. Custom: Number of CSO 80 15 15 15 people have been trained about representatives trained under organizational sustainability. More organizational strengthening Workshops for CSO representatives activities. are planned in the next quarter. Number of men 25 8 8

Number of women 55 7 7

Custom: Percentage of citizen 40 48 48 requests to local governments that have a positive response (that are included in municipal budgets) Numerator (Number of proposals 60 102 102 approved)

Denominator (number of proposal 150 213 213 presented by CSOs).

Custom: Former 2.4.1-11 Number of 10 10 0 10 USG- funded organizations representing marginalized constituencies trying to affect government policy or conducting government oversight

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Custom: GNDR - 3 Percentage of 80 0 Applied second phase of surveys to females with disabilities who report measure self-efficacy indicator. increased self-efficacy at the Applied 139 surveys (disabled conclusion of USG supported women, young women members of training/programming COMAJ, CDMs, FUMSAMI and Red Afro). In the next quarter we will report the results. Numerator 160 0 0

Denominator 200 0 0

Custom: Number of citizens and 700 325 393 718 stakeholders monitoring the implementation of local budget allocations Number of men 115 143 186 329

Number of women 185 182 207 389

Number of stakeholders 10 10 10 20

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II. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Citizen Participation

2.1 Projects included in 2018 municipal budgets

As shown in TRANSMUNI as of March 31, 48% of project proposals presented by partner organizations and community groups were included in the 2018 municipal budgets (102 of 213 proposals). However, with the exception of San Miguelito, municipalities have yet to begin project financial execution. As a result, none of the other proposals included in the budgets shows financial execution.

Of the projects included in the municipal budgets, 48% are related to responsibilities of the municipal authorities (infrastructure and water and sanitation). 29% respond to youth interests such as sports, education, cultural activities and recreation, and 20% respond to women’s needs, such as water and sanitation, housing, and women’s health (maternity centers and healthcare for breast and cervical cancer).

Table #1 Projects included in municipal budgets according to the TRANSMUNI ending on March 31, 2018

Number of projects Number of projects % of financial execution CS$ Budgets for projects presented by social included in the 2017 of the 2018 Municipal included in the 2017 Organization Municipality organizations in the Municipal Budgets Budget by 03/31/18 Municipal Budgets confirmed enquiries concerning confirmed in Transmuni according to Transmuni in Transmuni by 03/31/18 2018 Municipal Budgets by 03/31/18 Muelle de los 0.00% 51 26 23,534,130.00 Bueyes APRODER/CDM San Pedro de Lovago 0.00% 53 29 11,803,107.34 Santo Domingo 0.00% 46 22 20,207,383.32 Bluefields 0.00% 10 5 2,830,000.00 Corn Island 0.00% 14 6 5,736,376.00 BICU/CoMAJ Laguna de Perlas 0.00% 18 6 6,675,979.17 El Rama 0.00% 9 5 12,485,158.00 FUMSAMI/Citizen San Miguelito 24.00% 6 3 1,673,230.00 Networks El Almendro 0.00% 6 0 0.00 TOTAL 213 102 84,945,363.83

1) % of projects presented in Transmuni. 2) % of projects 48% with financial execution included in Transmuni.

T/C 03/04/18 USD 31.1761 2,724,695.00

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Table #2 Types of projects included in 2018 municipal budgets

Number of Type of Project % Projects Infraestructure 34 33% Water and Sanitation 15 15% Sports 13 13% Education 11 11% Environment 5 5% Culture 4 4% Citizen Participàtion 4 4% Gender 3 3% Others 3 3% Productive 2 2% Recreation 2 2% Health 2 2% Religious Sector 2 2% Housing 2 2% TOTAL 102 100%

2.2 Partner organizations participate in budget transparency forums

During the period reported, the Municipal Development Committees (CDMs), Municipal Committees of Adolescents and Youth (CoMAJs) and Citizen Networks supported by APRODER, BICU and FUMSAMI respectively, participated in the first budget accountability council of the year, which provides updates on the execution of the 2018 municipal budget. The table below highlights the partner participation.

Table #3 Participation in the Accountability Councils

Number of CDM, CoMAJ and Citizen Overall Participation of the Network members that participated in population in the 1st Accountablity the first community-driven Municipality Date Council Accountability Council Total Women Men Total Women Men El Almendro 1/15/2018 86 41 45 15 12 3 Muelle de los Bueyes 2/27/2018 480 211 269 139 79 60 San Pedro de Lóvago 3/2/2018 230 105 125 87 46 41 Bluefields 3/22/2018 167 91 76 20 12 8 Total 963 448 515 261 149 112 Percentage 100% 47% 53% 100% 57% 43%

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Table #4 Participation by partner organizations and base groups in Municipal Councils

Participants in Meetings Action/request for information reported of the Municipal by social organization and target groups Municipality Date Council Total W M Participating in the inauguration of new Bluefields 10/1/2018 12 7 5 municipal authorities. Accompany the Young Women Fighters Association (AMJOLU) in their presentation of the purpose, mission and vision, and sharing Bluefields 02/23/2018 20 12 8 the implementation of the Feminism is a Man's Affair Campaign. Becoming familiar with the management report for the month of February. Became familiar with some progress in the municipal administration and working strategies of new authorities, based on Bluefields 02/23/2018 20 12 8 community and neighborhood work. CoMAJ requested holding a meeting with elected authorities to track the municipal agenda on youth affairs to be implemented in April. Corn Island 10/1/2018 31 19 12 Participate in the inauguration of new municipal authorities. El Rama 01/23/2018 18 11 7

CoMAJ made a presentation of the activities implemented during January - March at the request of new municipal authorities; El Rama 03/23/2018 8 4 4 additionally, the inclusion of initiatives incorporated in the 2018 Municipal Budget (5 of a total of 9) was subject to tracking. Laguna de Participate in the taking of office of new 10/1/2018 17 9 8 Perlas municipal authorities. Members of the Community Board of Directors 13 of Bulun and Sardina 2 requested the 01/19/2018 4 9 implementation of the floor-ceiling project to take advantage of the summer season. Community Board of Directors from San San Pedro de Bartolo 2, El Juste and Pochomil requested the Lóvago 02/16/2018 6 8 latrine project to make progress in moving 14 material and excavating during the summer season. Stated the need to repair the bridges in Las 3 03/23/2018 7 Lajas and San Bartolo, as well as the road from 10 Bulgaria to La Sardina. 01/22/2018 Stated the need to repair the roads in Cerro 35 13 22 Azul and Timuli.

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Participants in Meetings Action/request for information reported of the Municipal by social organization and target groups Municipality Date Council Total W M Santo Stated the need to build the bridge at Guineal Domingo and the drainage system in the Chester 02/19/2018 21 10 11 Obando neighborhood, and to construct the MAG at El Amparo. Stated the need to begin implementing the Santo Social Fund with Gender Equality as well as to Domingo 03/19/2018 24 11 13 begin constructing the wall in the Tapalwasito neighborhood and to open the road in the Las Vegas area. Request to include repairing the roads in La Pintada, Tamagas, La Patriora, Presilla, 01/18/2018 repairing of cobblestone streets in Muelle de 81 39 42 los Bueyes and La Batea, disbursement from the CDM fund. Transferring funding source of the projects Muelle de los supporting the Youth CDM, the water systems Bueyes 02/15/2018 73 38 35 improvements at Cacao, Espavel, Las Praderas and Muelle de los Bueyes from private resources to municipal transfers. Request to support the Catholic Church as well 03/23/2018 79 35 44 as to make the first disbursement of the UNICAM project. Information provided from previous administration to the new authorities. An agenda was implemented and the regular San Miguelito 01/18/2018 2 2 0 meetings of the Municipal Council were scheduled for the second Friday of every month. Information provided from previous administration to the new authorities. The elected Mayor chaired the meeting in which it was agreed that regular meetings will be held 29 26 3 on the second Monday of every month. There 01/18/2018 was an exceptionally high participation, approximately 300 people (100 of them women). Members of the Citizen Network made a short El Almendro presentation on the work they have undertaken in citizen participation with support from FUMSAMI. Each group of legislators was given 5 copies of the "Agenda of 26 20 6 the needs proposed by the El Almendro Citizens Network” and “Systematization of 5/2/2018 more meaningful proposals by Social Audits prepared in 2013, 2015 and 2017.” The documents were well received and a special

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Participants in Meetings Action/request for information reported of the Municipal by social organization and target groups Municipality Date Council Total W M meeting to provide a detailed presentation of the documents was agreed. TOTAL 533 281 252 % 100% 53% 47%

2.3 Closeout of FUMSAMI and APRODER projects

The projects implemented by APRODER and FUMSAMI came to an end during the reporting period. APRODER and FUMSAMI have been MGP partner organizations since 2012 and 2013 respectively. The activities implemented by each of the organizations have contributed towards strengthening civil society and interaction with Municipal Administrations and public agencies. The most noteworthy achievements are listed below.

Table #6 Main Achievements of the projects implemented by APRODER and FUMSAMI

WORK LINE ACHIEVEMENTS

APRODER FUMSAMI

The only three Municipal Two Citizen Networks are Development Committees in the structured and operating (San country are structured and Miguelito and El Almendro) under operation ( Muelle de los bringing together some 90 active Bueyes, Santo Domingo and San men and women community Pedro de Lóvago), bringing leaders (80% women), both together some 210 active men urban as well as rural. They Community and municipal and women community leaders strengthened their capacities organization (40% women) in their Boards of regarding the legal framework Directors, Work Commissions for citizen participation, gender, and community representations. the rights of the LGBTI They strengthened their capacity community, influence and the to manage the legal framework environment. of citizen participation, gender and influence.

610 project initiatives presented Thanks to the work of the Citizen Effects on municipal in the consultations to the Network in San Miguelito and budgets municipal budgets for 2014- FUMSAMI, the 2014-2017 San 2017, attaining 46% of physical Miguelito Municipal Government and financial execution grants a monthly financial

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WORK LINE ACHIEVEMENTS

APRODER FUMSAMI

according to Transmuni. 150 stipend of 15 gallons of fuel that project initiatives presented in enables 810 women to travel to the consultation to municipal Managua to receive preventative budgets for 2018, attaining 52% and curative medical care for inclusion by March 31 2018 breast and cervical cancer at the according to Transmuni. Ortiz Gurdián Clinic. Moreover, this stipend also allowed for the purchase of an ultrasound for the San Miguelito Health Center, which was purchased in 2014 for approximately USD $4,600.

Structure and operation of the Awareness programs on the Gender and Youth Commissions rights of women and the LGBTI in the three CDMs and their community were developed coordination with local and through communication actions national arenas; developing in radio programs and street influential processes in issues activism. Preparing and addressed at benefiting women presenting agendas on the needs and youth (including efforts to of youth and women as prepared fight against gender-based from the standpoint of women Sectorial work (women, violence in Santo Domingo and and youth from Citizen Networks youth, and environment) San Pedro de Lóvago, the Local in both municipalities; and Economic Development Policy, participation based presentation and the UNICAM program in of diagnostics and community Muelle de los Bueyes). Also resilience plans in two urban participated in the formulation neighborhoods of El Almendro and implementation of the and San Miguelito. Muelle de los Bueyes Municipal Plan to Adapt to Climate Change, made available by the Humboldt Center.

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Left, FUMSAMI team at the Informational Fair “Towards an Equitable Environment, Let’s do Something Now!” February 9, 2018, San Miguelito. Right, recognition of the APRODER team. Second Youth Conference. March 9, 2018, Muelle de los Bueyes.

Gender activities

2.4 Activities related to gender implemented by APRODER, BICU, and FUMSAMI

During this quarter, APRODER, BICU and FUMSAMI supported capacity-building activities implemented by the CDMs, the CoMAJs and Citizen Networks to change behaviors, attitudes and beliefs in favor of more equitable gender relations.

2. 5 Activities for International Women’s Day (March 8)

Starting February 27, AMJOLU, together with the Campaña Cambia Ahora, Sólo Hazlo, ReAcción Joven and Grupo de Teatro Hijas de la Luna, celebrated International Women’s Day with a series of presentations and theater sketches focused on sexual abuse, violence, expressions of male chauvinisms, myths and realities concerning the use of contraceptives and gender inequality. The events were held in El Rama, Laguna de Perlas, San Jose, and Bluefields, and were seen by over 500 attendees, including members of the media. The event in Bluefields also included dances, a concert, raffle of school supplies, and interaction with the audience. On March 8, AMJOLU, together with Movimiento Autoconvocado por Derechos de las Mujeres, dressed in black as a symbol of mourning for victims of femicide and held a

25 MUNICIPAL GOVERNANCE PROGRAM AID 524 -10 - 00006 march under the slogan “NOTHING TO CELEBRATE, LOTS TO DEMAND.”

International Women’s Day Activities - Bluefields, March 8, 2018.

2.6 AMJOLU completes the feminist training cycle

Twenty-five youth (members of AMJOLU, Los Pipitos, Red Afro, the Bluefields CoMAJ and change agents at CEIMM URACCAN) completed the feminist training cycle implemented by AMJOLU.

Participants learned different approaches to gender perspectives, and discussed/shared their experiences with sexual, psychological, and physical abuse. They conducted a crosscutting analysis of how gender perceptions intersect with land ownership and access to justice. The training module also provided a space for young women to dialogue with young men who went through training on new masculinities, in order to share the knowledge gained throughout the two courses.

Participants at the Feminist Training Cycle implemented by AMJOLU

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2.7 AMJOLU continues to promote gender activities to Bluefields Municipal Council

AMJOLU has continued its advocacy work with municipal authorities, participating in at least six Bluefields Municipal Council meetings. The issues discussed by AMJOLU during these meetings are below.

Graphic #1 Issues addressed in the meetings with the Bluefields Municipal Council

1. Presenting the organization and the "Feminist Program for the Rights of Women" project. 2. Showing impact of violence on the lives of women by projecting images from "We Want them Alive: Testimonies of Violence Against Women in Nicaragua's South Caribbean Coast."

3. Presentation of cases of attempted femicide and human trafficking in the Bluefields Municipality. 4. Presentation concerning the "World Day Against Trafficking in Persons". 5. Presenting the "Feminism is also a Man's Affair" campaign.

6. Including the promotion of the rights of women and the prevention of violence against women in the municipal budget and agenda.

AMJOLU approached nine of the council members during meetings to stress the importance of including activities in the municipal budget addressed at preventing violence and promoting women’s rights. The council members responded that there are no specific activities for women in the municipal budget. The Municipal Social Commission suggested that part of the sum allocated to the commission could be redirected towards the municipality’s Secretariat for Women’s Affairs.

Theater sketch to develop awareness in the members of the Bluefields Municipal Council on violence against women.

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Youth Activities

2.8 Youth activities implements by BICU and APRODER

During this quarter, BICU and APRODER implemented activities with the four CoMAJ and the CDM Youth Commissions from Muelle de los Bueyes and San Pedro del Lóvago to strengthen their capacities, promote alliances, and support the sustainability of youth groups. The activities also promoted the construction of a regional youth alliance (RACCS – Chontales) as well as coordinating and mobilizing citizen actions that benefit youth and their communities. Some of the most significant activities are included below.

Table #8 Actions taken by the partner organizations promoting youth issues

Activity Impact

In two sessions per municipality, 48 members of the Communications Commissions of the four CoMAJs (23 women), participated in preparing the communication plans that are currently being executed for each CoMAJ. These plans will allow for informing the overall population what each CoMAJ is, what work it is undertaking, and encourage other

groups to join. The plans include using radio and TV programs, as well as street activism. Communication plans from the CoMAJ. Some of the main actions undertaken as part of the communications plans include the "Young Wave" radio program and "Caribbean Youth" TV program from the Bluefields CoMAJ. Moreover, there are spots or small videos to be transmitted in El Rama and Corn Island's TV program, indoor soccer leagues, video forums including sound animation and small positive messages for youths and their role in developing their communities.

On January 31, 10 Creole and Miskito youth from the Corn Island CoMAJ (6 women), in Community Actions conjunction with the Municipality, held a tribute to the World Wetland Day by cleaning the coasts. Cleaning personnel

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Activity Impact

from the Municipality, the Environment Coordinator and BluEnergy participated in the event.

On February 2, the El Rama CoMAJ held a meeting of the indoor soccer leagues with the purpose of involving youth from different neighborhoods in the municipality, promote sports and ensure spaces for healthy entertainment of Community Actions adolescents and youths.

The Corn Island CoMAJ and the Municipality held a celebration event (February 4), a poetry and signing contest on love (February 14), a Motivation Workshop (February 16), a Communication Workshop (February 17) and a celebration event with children with disabilities (February 25). More than 100 children, adolescents and/or youth participated.

65 youth (35 women) prepared 10 initiatives for the CoMAJ to develop the following quarter. Some are self-care Formulating local initiatives by the CoMAJ sessions addressed at girls, panels on street harassment, reflection meetings on gender and new masculinity in schools and replicas of experimental video workshops learned in the Media Art Lab.

59 people (30 women) participated in the Community Forum on Citizenship organized by the El Rama CoMAJ, the CDM Youth Commission from Muelle de los Bueyes, CENIDH Chontales, Impacting the Regional Chontales Youth Alliance - RACCS Present Youth Association (AJIP Nueva Guinea) and Nueva Guinea Advocates of the Earth. In the forum, participants collectively analyzed the achievements and

problems they face when promoting and exercising their rights as citizens.

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Activity Impact

60 people (28 women and 48 youths) participated in the II Regional Youth Gathering, including members from the CDM Youth Commissions from Muelle de los Bueyes, Santo Domingo and San Pedro de Lóvago, Bluefields CoMAJ, El Rama CoMAJ, AJIP Nueva Guinea, Comité Anti Canal, CENIDH Chontales, Cattle Breeders Association and municipal authorities and Regional Chontales Youth Alliance - RACCS officials from Muelle de los Bueyes. The purpose of the gathering was to share experiences in issues such as organization and the influence of local youth groups that contribute towards creating a youth regional alliance between Chontales and the RACCS.

30 youth (60% women) from the CDM Youth Commissions from Muelle de los Bueyes and San Pedro de Lóvago held two meetings to prepare their working plans. Priority was given to the actions of the Working plans of the CDM Youth organization and empowering micro Commissions and processes before public regional and community youth directives. agencies. This includes attaining a bi-weekly radio space of at least half an hour to inform about the different actions and achievements of the Youth Commissions, as well as precise actions that contribute towards building a Regional Youth Movement in RACCS Chontales.

On February 15, the first work session was held to prepare the RACCS youth regional policy and plan with the purpose of RACCS Youth Rural Policy and Plan obtaining inputs with which to diagnose the situation of the youth in the Southern Caribbean as well as to agree on the basic aspects guiding its preparation. 26 people (12 women) participated in the activity, including authorities from Regional and Municipal administrations such as the

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Activity Impact

coordinator of the Youth Regional Secretary of Youth, the MINSA representative, a representative from the National Police, and representatives from partner organizations at the Youth Round Table.

From March 15th to 20th, five intersectional panels were held within the framework of constructing the Youth Regional Plan and Policy; 53 people (28 women) participated with the purpose of generating a space that can facilitate a participatory analysis of the health-related RACCS Youth Rural Policy and Plan realities (emphasis on sexual and reproductive health) that limits the human development of adolescents and youth in the Southern Caribbean. These include health-related education and employability, community coexistence, intercultural citizenry, culture, recreation and sports. The purpose was also to identify strategic action lines for the 2018- 2023 period for each problem identified and to establish the basis for the Youth Regional Policy Action Plan.

From March 17 to 25, 53 youth and adolescents from the four CoMAJs supported by the MGP (25 women) learned people's theater techniques that can enable them to organize, plan, and present short People's Theater Workshops plays focused on raising awareness and visualizing certain social problems. Afterwards, participants may enforce their learnings by creating short plays that focus on male chauvinism and gender roles, which will be performed in April.

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2.9 Progress in drafting the Regional Youth Policy

The Youth Roundtable has completed three of the five phases that will result in the drafting of a regional youth policy. The work by ODHA BICU has been paramount in organizing the Youth Roundtable to draft the policy. Coordinating multiple organizations has posed significant logistical challenges to the operationalization of the roundtable, but it also brings rich and diverse perspectives to the policy creation process.

Table #9 Phases in the drafting of a Proposal for Youth Policy Phases Processes or activities Revising studies or data between 2015-2017 that contribute towards the analysis on the situation of youth: • MMC-FADCANIC • AyE Studies I. Update on the situation of the youth in the • Research on violence and participation -Global Southern Caribbean Communities • Regional Statistics concerning health and people with disabilities -Campaign • Study on the situation of black women - ARMAAD. Working meeting to address the following aspects: • Standpoints on “the youth” approach. II. Meeting on the base agreements for • Purposes, scope and limitations of the Regional regional policy and plans Policy and Plan. • Categories for analysis and aspects to prioritize. • Key actors in the process. Education (including technical and higher education) • Reading of situations per sector and ongoing actions and coordination. • Joint definition of changes to make. • Joint design of strategic guidelines (goals, individual/organization responsible, resources III. Meetings between different sectors (10) required) • Tracking/Monitoring ii) Employability, entrepreneurship and innovation iii) Health focused on sexual and reproductive health iv) Cultural identities and recreation v) Autonomy and participation Three communal dialogues: • Desembocadura de Río Grande IV. Communal Dialogues • Laguna de Perlas • Bluefields, Kukra Hill and Corn Island A regional forum V. Evaluation Follow-up to the Youth Policy and Plan

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Table #10 Themes of the Regional Youth Policy

Education Emphasis on innovation for youth labor integration; quality and relevance, employability and education for technical apprenticeship, conditions for entrepreneurship. entrepreneurship Health of Early marriage, teenage pregnancies, sexual and reproductive rights, HIV- adolescents and AIDS, STIs. youths Community Ancestral knowledge, intercultural relations, self esteem, cross-generational coexistence dialogue, prevention of violence, citizen safety.

Intercultural Participation, leadership, empowerment of autonomy, cross cultural citizenry, citizenry joint resoponsibility, strengthening youth institutions.

Culture, Rescuing historical patrimony, complementing the government's disciplinary recreation and priorities; capacity- building, knowledge and management of opportunities, sports. community sports.

Indigenous Communities

2.10 Activities promoting good governance in indigenous territories.

During February and March, FADCANIC implemented several activates within the framework of the project on governance of communal property in indigenous territories of the Autonomous Regions located along the Caribbean coast.

• The Indigenous Territorial Governments (AMASAU, Wangki Twi Tasba Raya, Twi Yahbra and Tawira) completed a work agenda with the Autonomous Regional Government of the North Caribbean Coast (ARGNCC), in order to address managing communal land under Law 445 (the law governing territorial demarcation); a law which territorial indigenous and Afro-descendant governments are starting to accept. • The administration of the Twi Yahbra territory drafted the documents for the management of communal property, with a work agenda created by community elected members. • The communities of the Tawira territory approved administrative guidelines to regulate small-scale fishing in Cayos Miskitos and created an agenda with INPESCA and ARGNCC to create bilateral management mechanisms to ensure the implementation of approval guidelines. • The AMASAU territory is strengthening its capacity to regulate third party access to its territories using administrative tools developed by the territory. • The communities with the greatest land conflicts in the Wangki Twi/Tasba Raya commune have a commitment to the municipality of Waspan to drive their agenda, which allows for communal property to be free of encumbrances.

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2.11 Comunidad Creole Annual Assembly draws a crowd of over 300 participants

Comunidad Creole held its annual communal assembly and attracted more than 300 participants from Bluefields, El Bluff, El Rama, Nueva Guinea, Kukra Hill and Laguna de Perlas, further evidencing the legitimacy and widespread acceptance of Comunidad Creole as the representative body for Creole populations on the Southern Caribbean Coast. Comunidad Creole presented the results of the following initiatives: Access to Justice, Evolution and Systematization of the Creole Communal Government, the Annual Operational Plan, Communications Campaign products (spots, radio sketches), the user-friendly version of the Autonomy Law, and a flyer with Communal Government guidelines. The assembly also established an election committee to identify potential leaders for future communal elections. Nora Newball, President of the Communal Government, thanked the population for their fidelity and the credibility the population has given its Board of Directors.

2.12 Closeout of Red Afro’s project

This quarter, the project implemented by the Red Afro ended. Some of its most noteworthy achievements include:

• Through three modules provided by the Feminist Training Center, 25 Afro- descendant women from the RACCS became more empowered in their capacity to be self-critical, reflective and purposeful in regards to the human rights of women and participation in active citizenry. • The need to make the Afro-descendant population visible in the national census and statistics was included in the public agenda, thanks to Red Afro’s campaign, which used radio, television, and street activism to promote its message. • In alliance with BICU University, and with participation from the URACCAN University and support from the MGP and the United Nations Population Fund, Red Afro held a forum entitled “Self-identification of Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and Mestizo Peoples from the Nicaraguan Coast.” During the forum, participants created a document provided to the regional, territorial, and communal authorities, as well as to civil society organizations, that provided perspectives than will enable building a consensus concerning how to manage cultural ethnic identities in the census scheduled for 2018. • Red Afro accompanied victims of gender based and sexual violence to enable them to access justice. Although this was not one of the expected outcomes, it is an important one, as there are no organizations in Bluefields that are currently providing this type of support to female victims of violence. Red Afro created a database to register regional cases of physical abuse, alimony-related violence, discrimination, sexual harassment, and rapes. Seventeen cases were recorded, six of which were solved and the police or judicial authorities intervened. Red Afro was able to coordinate with the Attorney General’s Office to speed up cases, appointing public defenders, and access files. Moreover, the Attorney General for Gender Issues expressly requested Red Afro’s support to accompany certain cases.

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Persons with Disabilities

2.13 Individuals with Disabilities have better access to public buildings in Laguna de Perlas

At the end of 2017, seven directors from three organizations for people with disabilities from Laguna de Perlas (Los Pipitos, OCN-MT y ADIFIM), undertook a social audit of five public and private entities to assess accessibility and provide recommendations. This included the office of mobile phone operator Claro, the Western Union branch, Pearl Lagoon Radio, the Natural Disasters Operations Center (CODES), and the Haulover Health Center. Pictures were taken to record the visits. They sent each institution a letter that included pictures showing the difficulty in accessibility, explained the problem, and suggested a solution. In February of 2018, the Claro office built a ramp to facilitate handicapped access.

DPOs visits to local buildings to assess accessibility

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2.14 FECONORI Leaders make contact with newly elected authorities in Bluefields

In November of 2017, FECONORI directors and leaders presented their municipal Agenda for the Rights of Disabled Persons to Gustavo Castro, one of the mayoral candidates. At the time, the mayor was responsive to supporting the agenda. Once elected, they met with the newly elected mayor to congratulate him and to begin discussing some pending agreements such as finishing the construction of the house for Los Pipitos, providing space for the FECONORI office, and continuing the accessibility work around the homes of individuals with severe disabilities. The directors also met four times with the Manager from the Municipality and/ or the Director of General Services to review the details concerning these agreements.

Top, visit made to candidate Gustavo Castro Jo in November of 2017. Bottom, visit made by the Municipal Directors of FECONORI to the Bluefields elected mayor on February 19, 2018.

2.15 Activities strengthening the rights of women with disabilities and female caretakers of people with disabilities

This quarter, women with disabilities from all the organizations in the three municipalities approved the communication and visibility products to promote the rights of women with disabilities and of women caring for individuals with disabilities. These communication products were a result of the action plans prepared during the previous quarter.

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Seven capacity-building workshops were held in Bluefields (3), Laguna de Perlas (2) and Corn Island (2) for 73 women directors and leaders of Disabled Persons Organizations (DPOs). These workshops allowed participants to reflect on the importance of promoting and advocating for gender equality, combatting violence against women, and promoting mechanisms that allow women to advocate for their rights in each municipality. The workshops are designed to be a series of three, which address the following issues:

Workshop 1. Individual and collective actions that women may take to empower and strengthen their relationships with other women.

Workshop 2. Transforming gender related attitudes, thoughts and behaviors, mainly stereotypes and prejudices against females.

Workshop 3. Strengthening self-esteem to boost individual and collective empowerment to encourage creation of self-help networks and groups.

Bluefields San Pancho-Bluefields Exchange Women sharing their experiences Dynamics to favor integration

Laguna de Perlas Laguna de Perlas Writing and sharing experiences Picture of Group II during the Workshop

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Corn Island Corn Island Writing experiences Group sharing with deaf women

2.16 MGP Supports BICU Theses on Accessibility for Disabled persons

As part of its commitment to encourage inclusiveness of individuals with disabilities, the MGP supported two graduate theses drafted by four students from the school of Civil Engineering at BICU. The first audited physical accessibility in five of the BICU buildings, while the second audited physical accessibility in 14 public agencies and public spaces throughout the city (four education centers, three medical centers, four land and water transportation terminals and three government agencies).

These projects were developed in collaboration with ADIFIM, OCN-MT, and Los Pipitos directors, who have accompanied the students in their inspections of the premises and their surroundings. In both cases, students will design specific recommendations for the BICU and different public agencies to improve physical accessibility of their facilities.

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Students and DPO member audit common areas. Students and DPO member audit classrooms

Students and DPO member audit the Municipality Students and DPO member audit MIFAM

Organizational Development

2.17 Partner Organizations present projects to UNIFEM with Support from MGP

With MGP support, FUMSAMI and Red Afro applied to the 2017 United Nations Fund to Eliminate Violence against Women (maximum grant of US$150,000 for three years).

On March 1, 2018, Red Afro received notice from the Fund stating that the Concept Note of its project, “Rights Aren’t Hindered by Disabilities: Towards Preventing Violence Against Creole, Mizkita, Mestizo and Garifuna Women with Disabilities from the Southern Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua,” had been selected in the 5% of proposals (out of a total received of 1,301) from 109 countries to present a complete proposal.

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Red Afro received technical support from MGP to present a complete proposal of its project; the proposal was presented and is currently being reviewed by the Fund’s technical team.

2.18 Progress in the auditing and social control platform

Six Nicaraguan CSOs supported by Global Communities and Trocaire (ADM, IPAFE, OCTUPAN, PRODESSA and Red Local) held three sessions to create a group that will promote the application of auditing methodologies and social control throughout the country. Part of the activities planned include the ongoing documentation of CSO experiences that promote the issue of social audits, and of specific experiences in social audit conducted by community- based organizations. A conference with technicians and directors from the member organizations of the promotion group is planned for May and another for June, which will include other organizations from across the country (La Cuculmeca, ADDAC, CESESMA, APADEIM, ADEN, ASODEL, etc.).

Resilient communities

2.19 Closeout of the Climate Change Adaptation component

The 3 subagreements with CSOs implementing climate adaptation activities formally ended in December (blueEnergy, uniRSE, and Centro Humboldt). This quarter, some final activities took place, including:

• According to the TRANSMUNI system, 26 projects that were proposed to municipalities based on the Municipal Climate Adaptation Plans created with support of Centro Humboldt have been accepted and incorporated into the budgets in the municipalities of Bluefields (8), Corn Island (7) and Muelle de los Bueyes (11).

• The final versions of the Municipal Climate Adaptation Plans of Corn Island and Muelle de los Bueyes have been published and delivered to the municipalities to facilitate their incorporation into the planning processes of both municipalities.

• UniRSE completed the edition of the 10 Business Climate Adaptation Plans, published them and delivered them to the 10 participating businesses.

• blueEnergy completed the publication of the document, "Systematization of Best Practices of the Families and Communities prepared for Climate Change Initiative," which summarizes best practices implemented by blueEnergy and the communities of Bluefields and Laguna de Perlas that participated in the climate change adaptation project between 2014 and 2017.

Citizen Innovation Fund

2.20 Invisible theater made “visible” through short videos in social networks

Youth from the Teatro Justo Rufino Garay project took the streets of Managua using the “Invisible Theater” methodology to apply their knowledge and raise awareness among the population regarding ongoing social issues.

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Sixty invisible theater events were staged around themes of domestic violence, violence in dating, homophobia/lesbophobia, street harassment, and the environment. Four videos were produced and published on social networks. The videos were posted in alliance with Managua Furiosa (www.managuafuriosa.com). The videos had an unexpectedly high viewership, attaining the following results:

Table #12 Effects of the invisible theater actions on social networks

Third Video First Video Second Video March 11 Fourth Video Activity on February 28 March 6 Homophobia March 21 Total Facebook Domestic Street and Environment Violence Harassment Lesbophobia Views 24,987 7,324 21,421 979 57,711 Reactions 608 259 544 65 1,476 Shares 830 247 392 30 1,499 Comments 58 26 215 4 303

The videos are available in the following links: https://www.facebook.com/ManaguaFuriosa/videos/1010246985791140/ https://www.facebook.com/ManaguaFuriosa/videos/1013904088758763/ https://www.facebook.com/ManaguaFuriosa/videos/1016657161816789/ https://www.facebook.com/ManaguaFuriosa/videos/1022907824525056/

Left, Invisible theater on violence against women (25,465 views). Right, Invisible theater on lesbophobia (22,000 views).

2.21 Organizations are revitalized thanks to support from the Citizen Innovation Fund

Implementation of citizen innovation projects has revitalized organizations such as Teatro Justo Rufino Garay and the León Feminist Group, and given them a public image as innovative groups that push for social change.

The León Feminist Group trained two groups of young women (one in León and another in Managua) on issues regarding violence prevention and cyber activism. Although both groups have shown significant progress in gaining advocacy and activism skills and developing

41 MUNICIPAL GOVERNANCE PROGRAM AID 524 -10 - 00006 multimedia pieces, the group from Poneloya more clearly show the project’s profound effect. The group is made up of 15 young women from different communities in León and Chinandega. Most of them were not organized, had no knowledge of gender issues, made no use of social networks, and did not own smartphones. These circumstances posed a serious limitation to attain project objectives. However, after five meetings, much reflection, practice using social networks to denounce aggressions against a local teenager, participating in the March 8 (International Women’s Day) march, and having produced at least five videos, these young women became individually and collectively empowered. They now see themselves as a group that is committed and united, advocating for women’s rights and fighting against gender based violence.

The youth have now created their own profile in social networks under the name “Grupo Feminista de León Nueva Generación”1 which they use to promote the communication pieces they create.

Links to the videos created by the youth: https://www.facebook.com/353338841851019/videos/353347858516784/ https://www.facebook.com/353338841851019/videos/353823398469230/ https://www.facebook.com/353338841851019/videos/353820035136233/ https://www.facebook.com/353338841851019/videos/353814661803437/ https://www.facebook.com/353338841851019/videos/353813088470261/

Feminist Group from León, Nueva Generación participating in the March 8 march

For the youth involved with Teatro Justo Rufino Garay, the project allowed them to strengthen their image as an organization that uses theater to contribute towards social change. Lucero Millan, the group’s director, stated that, “this initiative created the foundation to continue training young leaders who do not have the economic resources to study dramatic arts. In this regard, the project has empowered us as a training institution, renewing and updating our capacity to continue being a prestigious center of theater education.”

1 https://www.facebook.com/Grupo-feminista-de-Le%C3%B3n-nueva-generaci%C3%B3n- 353338841851019/

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2.22 Innovation Fund strengthens strategic alliances between social actors

The Citizen Innovation Fund has encouraged and promoted strategic alliances between civil society organizations, creating interesting initiatives and links.

The Innovamos community created alliances between local organizations, including the Observatory against Street Harassment (OCAT), the Legal Center for Support to Consumers (CJAC), and INGES. Additionally, INGES allied with Trocaire to broaden and boost activities of OCAT under the DESACOSARTE project, which promotes the use of art to raise awareness about harassment.

The Teatro Justo Rufino Garay established a strategic alliance with Managua Furiosa2 to use its Facebook profile to publish the invisible theater videos and boost their dissemination through the Managua Furiosa audience, which has 33,000 followers.

MGP organized the first meeting of partner organizations of the Citizen Innovation Fund in an effort to exchange experiences and knowledge, and contribute towards promoting an ecosystem of innovation in the country. Participants in these encounters believe that they are necessary to strengthen individual initiatives. Some stated:

• “The Nidia White Women’s Movement can take advantage of activist Yaser Morazán’s experience in storytelling to train teachers from three indigenous communities on how to tell school age Miskito children the graphic story of ancestral customs”, Martha Olivia, project coordinator. • “FUNDECOM needs to become familiar with and learn about CINCO’s experience in digital safety, in order to safeguard against cyber espionage,” said Felícita Laínez, Executive Director.

2 MF, is a youth initiative that generates information about art and culture in Nicaragua by promoting artists, organizations and holding cultural events through technology and audiovisual means. (www.managufuriosa.com y https://www.facebook.com/ManaguaFuriosa/).

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III. SIGNIFICANT CONSTRAINTS/LESSONS LEARNED AND BEST PRACTICES

3.1 CONSTRAINT: Limited capacity of partner organizations in human resources, technical skills, and economic resources

Civil society organizations continue to face organizational obstacles and challenges. Organizations and individual partners of the Citizen Innovation Fund have faced problems in their performance due to limitations in human, technical, economic and administrative resources. There are very few technical staff, who are overloaded with work and are often unprepared in administrative and programmatic issues.

All the partners have stated that complying with the requirements and administrative procedures set by Global Communities and USAID is a challenge. Complying with these requirements demands investments in time and personnel, thus leaving less time for strategic issues and content development. Creative processes are pushed aside by administrative requirements.

Corrective measure: In kind donations were signed as part of the strategy to solve these limitations (for partners that have not been legally incorporated)3. In this structure, Global Communities implemented the financial execution in addition to undertaking programmatic and logistic training. Partners that have been legally incorporated were offered programmatic and financial training. Meetings were then held to review the budgets in detail and provide clear guidance concerning the necessary process for each activity and budgetary line. This has allowed us to become familiar with how each partner progresses and what limitations and difficulties it is facing.

In-kind grants require additional administrative processes, including, among other things, paying for advertisements in social networks for campaigns, buying technological equipment, and contracting specialized consultants. These have demanded extra attention from the technical, programmatic, and administrative personnel at Global Communities and its partner organizations.

3.2 BEST PRACTICE: Experiential activism is more effective than pedagogic activism

Traditionally, theory-based capacity building courses were promoted and implemented with participants being encouraged to put in practice what they had learned once the course or workshop was over. We have found that encouraging youth to learn activism by doing generates a sense of belonging, identity, and commitment to a social cause.

3 León, Feminist Group, Enredadas and Yaser Morazan.

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This has been the case with the Leon Feminist Group, the members of the Innovamos community, the youth on scholars from Teatro Justo Rufino Garay, participants in cyber activism workshops, and youth who worked on the creation of communication pieces in multimedia format (Leon Feminist Group, Yaser Morazán and Cinco). These youth have encouraged cyber campaigns, projected powerful messages during mobilizations, and developed awareness raising actions in public spaces about violence against women and the need to advocate for human rights.

3.3 CONSTRAINT: Lack of sign language interpreters at Corn Island and Laguna de Perlas limits access for the deaf

Project resources financed the training of two young women as sign language interpreters in Bluefields. However, this was not achieved in Laguna de Perlas or in Corn Island, thus limiting the inclusion of the deaf in numerous local activities and processes, as well as their approach and relation to social actors in scenarios in which interpreters from Managua were unavailable.

Corrective measure: Joint efforts have been agreed upon with the national chapter of ANSNIC to train one interpreter from Laguna de Perlas and another from Corn Island.

3.4 LESSON LEARNED: The lack of meeting spaces influences organizational dynamics

The lack of meeting spaces in the three municipalities in which FECONORI and its partner organizations work is a dynamic that has reduced the development of an organizational identity, as directors, leaders, and individuals with disabilities do not have a place to meet, integrate, and share on a regular basis, whether personal or work related aspects and other subjects of interest.

Corrective measure: The local Municipality at Bluefields assigned FECONORI a place in the city center and agreed to prepare and make it usable in the short term. Support is being provided at Corn Island and Laguna de Perlas in the processes before both municipalities assign a site where the offices can operate. Global Communities is identifying equipment and supplies from its inventory that are in good condition and that can be donated to help set up these offices.

3.5 CONSTRAINT: Planning of activities is affected by the changes in the situation of women, adolescents and youth

The first three months of the calendar often show a slump in participation, which leads to delays in planned activities. This is caused by migration of people looking for work in other departments, which affects participation in community activities and requires reorganization of activities at the local rural level. ADM reports that in the communities of San Jerónimo and Sonzapote the primary women leaders who supported project activities left the community, thus affecting the motivation and participation of the remaining members.

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IV. PLANNED ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Citizens Participation in Quarter Citizen Participation Institutional strengthening Electoral Process Q3 • Realizado el último Taller para Periodistas que cierra el ciclo de capacitación en el Programa. • Formación en auto cuido y • 7ma reunión de • Está impresa y distribuida la versión popular de las leyes 28 y 445, de autonomía y demarcación territorial. contención a víctimas de violencia organizaciones socias FY2018 • Publicadas infografías animadas y resumen ejecutivo de investigación “Mujeres jóvenes multiétnicas, con lideresas de AMJOLU, (sistematización y cierre). Caribe Sur, participación ciudadana y violencia de género” Comunidad Creole y FECONORI. • Capacitación a socios en Apr – Jun • Asociaciones de personas con discapacidad de Bluefields, han fortalecido sus alianzas con entidades Publicado Cuaderno “Género y herramienta de Participación Ciudadana”. seguimiento a gestión 18 públicas, organizaciones civiles y empresarios privados para realizar acciones conjuntas. • Personas con discapacidad de Bluefields participan de curso vocacional sobre “Mantenimiento y reparación • Difundido el Tutorial sobre municipal de sillas de rueda y medios auxiliares” organizados por Educación para el Éxito – FADCANIC. construcción de Presupuestos • Presentación de informes • Desarrollada la plataforma web para que consumidores puedan recibir asesorías para gestiones de Ciudadanos. y cierre de proyectos. reclamos que aseguren su acceso a servicios básicos. • Publicada y distribuida versión • Entrega de documento • Desarrolla la plataforma web para conocer y divulgar un mapa de acosos callejero, donde las usuarias educativa de la Ley 769. final de sistematización de pueden enterarse de puntos peligrosos y denuncien sitios donde experimentarías acoso y tipos de acoso. • Realizado Encuentro sobre Auditoría las experiencias de • Ejecutadas iniciativas locales de los CoMAJ para el ejercicio del liderazgo juvenil y la construcción de Social con Técnicos de construcción, ciudadanía. Organizaciones Socia y Aliadas de posicionamiento y • Culminada la sistematización de experiencias del trabajo y fortalecimiento de los CoMAJ apoyados por la Trocaire. seguimiento de agendas. BICU a través del Programa de Gobernabilidad Local entre 2013 y 2018. • Producidos dos catálogos con • Puesta en escena de obras teatrales de los CoMAJ relativas al liderazgo, la ciudadanía y la participación historias de vida de mujeres rurales y juvenil. mujeres con discapacidad que • Formulada una propuesta de Política Regional de Juventud de la RACCS y su Plan de Acción. Realizado el destacan su lucha por derechos. Encuentro Regional para la presentación de Política Regional. • Publicada y distribuida la Ley 779 en • Desarrollo de capacidades sobre ciberactivismo en jóvenes para realizar cibercampaña a favor de los versión educativa. derechos de las mujeres. • Aplicación final del instrumento ARC • Desarrollo de capacidades en liderazgo juvenil para la creación de productos multimedia para la promoción a 16 Organizaciones Socias y de los derechos humanos y agendas juveniles Organismos de Base (FUMSAMI, • EnRedadas ha desarrollado un medio digital feminista que promueva los derechos de las mujeres y realce APRODER, AMJOLU, FECONORI, el aporte social de las mimas. CoMAJ Corn Island, CoMAJ • FUNDECOM ha desarrollado el primer Sistema de Alerta Temprana para Prevenir Femicidios en Villa El Bluefields). Carmen. • Publicada un resumen metodológico • Realizado el intercambio de experiencias entre los socios del Fondo de Innovación. del ARC como instrumento de apoyo • Realizado INNOVAMOS II. al desarrollo organizacional de la Sociedad Civil.

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Citizens Participation in Quarter Citizen Participation Institutional strengthening Electoral Process • FADCANIC ha creado bases de datos sobre la clasificación y calificación de terceros para implementar los tratamientos de saneamientos en comunidades indígenas de la RACCN. • 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. • 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. • Publicadas hojas informativas con los resultados de las diferentes líneas de trabajo de la vida del Programa. • Evento de cierre del Programa en Bluefields Q4 • Evento de cierre del Programa en Managua • Completado el proceso de cierre del Programa FY2018

Jul – Aug 18