Trifinio Region: South-South Cooperation within a tri-national horizontal partnership Partners El Salvador Guatemala Honduras

Trifinio Region South-South Cooperation within a tri-national horizontal partnership Background The Trifinio region is located in the Lempa River basin and comprises an area of 18,311 km2 shared by El Salvador (56%), Guatemala (14%), and Honduras (30%). At 335 kilometers, the Lempa River is the longest river to run its full course within Central America, with a estimated population of 4.7 million people (2001) that is expected to double in the next 25 years. Sharing common borders, an important percentage of indigenous population and similar development challenges, this particular region in Central America has created a unique partnership among governmental efforts, local initiatives and civil alliances to foster development from participatory and coordinated process of horizontal cooperation.

ObjectivesInnovation Trifinio Region South-South Cooperation within a tri-national horizontal partnership To achieve integral sustainable development in the region Trifinio through the formulation and implementation of policies, plans, sub- regional and inter-city programs and projects. To create regional public policies through the inter-municipal CSS strategy involving managers, technicians, mayors, NGOs, trade and service chambers and with international partners. Leadership, in elaborating participatory projects and public policy, is shared among the three countries. Ownership is a gradual process with great potential in the region. The tri-national actions, either national or local promote sustainable development through joint and concerted work agendas. Local leaders are able to route common agendas under a participatory design schema. The regional experience of Trifinio is an experience that involves: trinational, triangular and South-South-South cooperation, with significant potential for further collaboration with bilateral and multilateral donors in the North.

ResultsApplicability The creation of a regional entity has helped to harmonize decision making, coordination, and the execution of several initiatives on South-South Cooperation among partners and between governmental and non-governmental actors in the area. Unification of municipal resources at cross border level through common agendas based on consensus. Expansion of the participation of non- governmental actors in the region with international cooperation projects for development. Development of rural women skills by productive, inclusive and democratic projects fostering empowerment. It is possible to develop South-South tri-national cross-border cooperation initiatives in other areas, to face common development challenges such as rural development, health, education, food safety and municipal development in multi-country regions. Trifinio Region South-South Cooperation within a tri-national horizontal partnership