Overview
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) have established a Joint Programme in Guatemala entitled the "Reduction of Vulnerabilities to Contribute to Rural Development in Five Municipalities of the Basins of the Coatan and High Suchiate Rivers in the Department of San Marcos” (Rural Development Joint Programme) using a pass-through funding modality. The Rural Development Joint Programme focuses on 5 municipalities (Tacana, Tajumulco, Ixciguan Sibinal and San Jose Ojetenam) which were histrorically excluded from development, suffering from severe poverty (over 90% of the population is in some degree of poverty), and still prevail root causes of armed conflict. The Joint Programme alligns and supports the process of the national Integrated Rural Development Plan.
The Rural Development Joint Programme encompasses:
- A duration of three years, from 1st May 2010 to 30 April 2013;
- Total amount of 40 million Swedish Kroner; and
- Partnerships with the Ministry of Agriculture (MAGA), Ministry of Health (MoH), and the National Planning Secretariat (SEGEPLAN) of the Government of Guatemala, and civil society organisations.
The Rural Development Joint Programme is administered by the Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF Office) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in accordance with its financial regulations and rules.
Assistance Strategy
The overall goal of the Rural Development Joint Programme is to reduce vulnerabilities in health, community and habitat rural productive opportunities of the population and territory from the perspective of gender rights and cultural relevance. This objective is to be achieved by three outcomes:
Outcome 1: Improved livelihoods
Below subsistence farming families improve their health and livelihoods, food secutiry, income and community and family safe habitat from a rights perspective with a focus on gender and cultural relevance;
Outcome 2: Civil society empowered
Civil society actors empowered to participate in local development management in the exercise of their rights, wth emphasis on the participation of women;
Outcome 3: Local governments strengthened
Local governments and institutions sector of the five municipalities strengthen their capacities and structures for the management of territorial development in the context of the development councils.
The implementation strategy of the Joint Programme is based on strengthening Government Institutions, including Ministry of Agriculture (MAGA), Ministry of Health (MoH), and the National Planning Secretariat (SEGEPLAN) to boost short term service delivery and to adjust the structural vulnerabilities of the area. Special emphasis is given to the poorest groups of the population women, and indigenous peoples.
The focus is to provide territorial and sectoral planning perspectives to guide rural development through Development Councils, to:
- generate economic opportunities;
- improve food security;
- promote sustainable management of natural resources;
- reduce risks of sick and dying from preventable causes;
- provide access to health services, water, sanitation, education and adequate housing conditionls for a dignified life.
The beneficiary of the Joint Programme is:
- Direct primary population: 2,600 families living below subsistence in 50 communities;
- Indirect primary population: 500 households producing agricultural surpluses and the population living in five municipalities;
- Indirect secondary population: Government institutions (municipal and national) and civil society organizations with expertise in the area.
The Joint Programme represents the fulfilment of Paris Declaration by alignment and harmonization with the national priorities and policies, and contributes towards the achievement of Millennium Development Goals 1 (Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger), 4 and 5 (Improving child and maternal health), 7 (Ensure environmental sustainability), and 8 (Promoting global partnership for development).
Governance
The Rural Development Joint Programme is implemented jointly by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) using a pass-through funding modality. The programmatic and financial accountability rests with the Participating UN Organisations, which manage their respective components of the Joint Programme.
Steering Committee
The main objective of the Steering Committee is to facilitate effective implementation and coordination of the Rural Development Joint Programme. The Steering Committee consists of representatives from the Participating UN Organizations and government officials.
Administrative Agent
The Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF Office) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) serves as the Administrative Agent (AA) of the Rural Development Joint Programme. The AA is responsible for concluding Standard Administrative Arrangements (SAAs) with donor(s) and Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with Participating UN Organisations (FAO, UNDP, and WHO).
Decision Making
The Steering Committee discusses and approves work plans and budgets as well as any substantive or financial issues pertaining to implementation of the Rural Development Joint Programme in Guatemala. The members assume responsibility for performing joint monitoring of Rural Development Joint Programme activities. Decisions are made by consensus. Members provide regular feedback on its implementation and propose any necessary corrective actions to resolve problems, ensure accountability, and make recommendations.
The Administrative Agent [Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF Office) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)] for the Rural Development Joint Programme is responsible for the receipt, administration, and management of contributions from donors; disbursement of funds to the Participating UN Organisations; and consolidation of narrative and financial reports produced by each of the Participating UN Organisations and Non-UN Participating Organisations, and provision of these reports to the Steering Committee for onward submission to the donor(s).
