Report on Puente in the Caribbean Caribbean Conference on Horizontal Cooperation in Social Protection January 19-20, 2011 Barbados Julie Nurse, Specialist Department of Social Development and Employment Organization of American States

PUENTE in the Caribbean: a horizontal cooperation program which seeks to improve social protection strategies in the Caribbean, using as a model, the successful Puente Program from Chile. Donors: CIDA, Government of Chile, China, World Bank; and all participating countries PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES Phase 1 Jamaica St. Lucia Trinidad and Tobago Phase 2 Barbados St. Kitts and Nevis St Vincent and the Grenadines Suriname Technical support from Chile ACTIVITIES Ongoing Capacity Building on the Puente Program through: 7 Workshops with country teams 2 Internships in Chile Continuous technical support in implementation 3 Monitoring Visits 7 Online Discussions More than 10 workshops with local stakeholders Puente in the Caribbean

Our Approach Learning by doing A continual process of reflection and programmatic adjustment Ongoing documentation of the processes Lessons applied for future programming Use of the Puente Program as a frame of reference while addressing the specific and expressed needs of Caribbean countries through Country Work Plans

Design Considerations Differences between Chile and the Caribbean countries – Cultural and linguistic differences – Differences in size and scale – Vulnerability issues: crime, migration, natural disasters Differences among the Caribbean countries – Development needs – Institutional realities Distinction between the transfer of knowledge on Puente Program and the application of the lessons from the transfer Political Dynamics and Political Reality – Caribbean countries – Chile – OAS

Strategies employed OAS Role as Facilitator – Bridge between FOSIS (Chile) and the Caribbean partners – A rich history and effective experience in horizontal cooperation – Follow-up support and monitoring Mentoring by FOSIS Tutors – Bridge between the Puente Program and Caribbean participants – Technical advice in the transfer of lessons and design of local programs Virtual Connectivity – Use of online tools for continuous learning Creating a multiplier effect through the selection of a small group of key individuals from Caribbean implementing agencies Country Work Plans Adaptation of educational materials from Puente Program

Publications and Materials Six sets of materials and tools developed to facilitate the transfer of knowledge from Chile to the Caribbean: 1. Brochure 2.Newsletter 3.Compilation of Program Documents 4.Manual on the Puente Program’s Working Sessions with Families 5.Puente Game Board and supporting materials 6.Operations Manual

Puente Brochure

Puente Newsletter

Compilation of Program Documents

Adapted Puente game board & Supporting Educational Materials

Operations Manual Operations

Strengths Mentorship Interactive and dynamic learning methodology Promotion of cultural awareness and appreciation Encourages innovation Promotes interaction, exchange and technical support in social protection among Caribbean countries Facilitates capacity building in virtual connectivity

Shortcomings and Challenges Language differences Limited use of the Virtual Forum Effects of changes in government on technical programs and policies Need to explore opportunities for broadening and deepening academic involvement Need to assign human resources for implementation of work plans; balancing multiple portfolios of local staff can be burdensome. Limited timeframe for learning and applying lessons Difficulty in creating the multiplier effect through training of trainers because of turnover of trained personnel.

Institutional strengthening in social protection among 7 Ministries of Social Development, other public entities and civil society agencies in 7 countries 3 local initiatives which incorporate the relevant lessons of the Puente Program since 2009 An active learning community, sharing implementation experiences Contribution of relevant lessons on horizontal cooperation to the Inter-American Social Protection Network. General Results

Institutional strengthening in social protection among 7 Ministries of Social Development, other public entities and civil society agencies in 7 countries 3 local initiatives which incorporate the relevant lessons of the Puente Program since 2009 and 1 program in advanced stages of design Koudemain Ste. Lucie Bridge Jamaica STEP-UP, Trinidad and Tobago ISEE Bridge, Barbados An active learning community, sharing implementation experiences Contribution of relevant lessons on horizontal cooperation to the Inter-American Social Protection Network. General Results

Specific Achievements Strengthened institutional and human capacity in more effective social protection strategies: Targeting Inter-institutional collaboration in social protection and establishment of social networks Family-oriented, rights-based approach to social policy Caribbean countries in Phase 1 have provided technical support to others, sharing on implementation experiences Trinidad to Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia Jamaica to St. Lucia St. Lucia to St. Kitts and Nevis Establishment of Virtual Forum for online discussions and knowledge sharing Political endorsement of local programs Development of a replicable model of a community of practice

Substantive Impact Transfer of knowledge to Caribbean social policy makers and implementers on a new way of understanding social intervention and a new approach for implementing social policy. This new way involves: – Putting the family first, and as the core unit of intervention – Facilitating preferential access to basic services for the most vulnerable and persons in extreme poverty – Inter-institutional coordination: drawing on comparative advantages of various social actors – A rights-based approach to social policy – Co-responsibility: shared responsibility of the State and persons receiving support – Sustained psychosocial support to complement material contributions – Supply side: bring services to those who need them most.

General Lessons of the Program The success of a program such as the Puente, requires strong political will and support. The need to allow local programs to evolve based on local reality and needs and encourage innovation The importance of an effective monitoring and evaluation system from the design stage of the program There is value added in fostering collaboration, support and sharing among Caribbean countries The Puente cannot and should not be transferred in its totality. It is important to identify the key and critical components of the Puente that can and should be applied to the Caribbean context.

Thank You!!!