1. Julie Nurse, Specialist Department of Social Development and Employment Organization of American States Progress Report on the Puente in the Caribbean Program 2007-2008 Caribbean Conference on Horizontal Cooperation in Social Protection Port of Spain, September 11-12, 2008

2. Outline Background to the program Pilot approach Design considerations Program implementation Strategies employed Main activities: purpose, outcomes and lessons Results: Achievements and Shortcomings Conclusions Considerations in applying the lessons General Lessons

3. Background

4. Implications of a Pilot Program Learning by doing A continual process of reflection and programmatic adjustment Ongoing documentation of the processes Lessons applied for future programming

5. 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 and the application of the lessons from the transfer

6. Comparative Country Profiles CountryPopulationArea (sq. km) Development Indicators GDP Per Capita (USD) Ethnic Groups Jamaica2, 682, 00010, 991HDI: 0.736 HDI Rank: #101 Human Poverty Index: 14.3% 4,291Black: 90.9% E. Indian: 1.3% Mixed: 7.3% White: 0.2% Chinese: 0.2% Other: 0.1% Trinidad & Tobago 1, 324, 0005128HDI: 0.814 HDI Rank: #59 Human Poverty Index: 7.3% 14,603E. Indian: 40% Black: 37.5% Mixed: 20.5% Other: 1.2% Unspecified: 0.8% St. Lucia164, 842616HDI:0.795 HDI Rank: #72 Human Poverty Index: 6.5% 6,707Black: 90% Mixed: 6% E. Indian: 3% White: 1% Chile16.2 million756, 950HDI 0.867 Rank: #40 Human Poverty Index : 3.7% 12, 027White & white- Amerindian: 95% Amerindian: 3% Other: 2%

7. Program Implementation

8. Strategies employed Virtual Forum Online space designed to serve as pool for sharing comments, queries, concerns, responses and experiences related to the transfer and application of lessons on the Puente. A critical tool in transference process which facilitates continuous, virtual communication and training particularly among FOSIS tutors and Caribbean officers. Mentoring by FOSIS Tutors Bridge between the Puente Program and Caribbean participants Technical advice in the transfer of lessons and design of local programs Follow-up support and monitoring Creating a multiplier effect through the selection of a small group of key individuals from Caribbean implementing agencies Country Work Plans

9. Activities: Planning Meetings Purpose To assess the needs and expectations of participating countries To plan for the design of the program Outcomes Needs assessment from Caribbean countries Systematization of country needs and design of program based on the specific country needs and expectations Definition of key actors and roles

10. Key Lesson: Key Lesson: One size does not fit all!!!

11. Activities: Program Launching and Introductory Workshop Primary Purpose To bring together for the first time, the main actors involved in the program to share their experiences, needs and expectations of the program. Outcomes Broad theoretical understanding of Puente principles, methods and tools Reflections on the local context: how can the Puente fit in my world? Identification of most urgent needs and realistic plans for Pilot Countries First country work plans developed

12. Key Lesson: Key Lesson: Puente was not built in a day!!!

13. Activities: Internship in Chile Primary Purpose: To enhance capacity in social protection strategies by observing the Puente Program at work, through field visits, lectures and interaction with stakeholders. Outcomes Created a more balanced view of the theory and practice of Puente Program Increased understanding of the reality for which the Chile Puente Program was designed Systematization of lessons learned which informed design of new local programs

14. Key Lesson: Key Lesson: Effective psychosocial support is critical to addressing the specific needs of the families and improving quality of life!!!

15. Activities: Caribbean Monitoring Visits Purpose To follow-up on the activities undertaken by the Caribbean countries in the implementation of their Work Plans To provide technical support and advice on progress to date and design of local programs Outcomes Enhanced knowledge on Puente Program and support for local programs among institutional partners, social workers and staff Increased political and institutional support for local programs Increased capacity of country teams to implement improved social protection strategies

16. Key Lesson: Key Lesson: A well-designed communication strategy can promote local buy-in, inter-agency collaboration and institutional commitment!!!

17. Results and achievements Strengthened institutional and human capacity in more effective social protection strategies: Targeting Inter-institutional collaboration in social protection Establishment of social networks Family-oriented, rights based approach Creation or enhancement of 3 local programs which have integrated lessons of Puente while reflecting distinct country needs: Bridge Jamaica Koudemain Ste. Lucie STEP-UP Political endorsement of local programs Development of Opportunity Maps

18. Shortcomings and Challenges Limited use and functioning of the Virtual Forum Need to explore opportunities for broadening and deepening involvement of UWI campuses Delays in production and distribution of educational tools and materials for family interventions Language differences Need to assign human resources for implementation of work plans; multiple portfolios of local staff can be burdensome.

19. Conclusions

20. Considerations in the Application of Lessons What are the requirements and implications of a shift from demand-driven to supply-side approach e.g. supply and quality of public goods and services? Finding appropriate strategies to address specific problems of rural and urban poverty The adequacy of current local government structures to support a decentralized approach to social development Transferability and applicability of current Puente Pillars…need for Caribbean-specific pillars The effectiveness of a family-based approach to community-based, or national problems: e.g., unemployment, natural disasters, squatting; crime? Implementing agencies are responsible for identifying and allocating financial resources for program execution

21. General Lessons of the Program The success of a program such as the Puente, requires strong political will and support. A pilot initiative with very real implications for the countries involved: stakeholders, budget, human resources, institutional demands. The need to allow local programs to evolve based on local reality and needs 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.

22. Trinidad and Tobago’s Team meets with Family Intervention Unit and Mayor of Molina Another satisfied Puente FamilyLaunching in Jamaica Young member of graduated family shows off her achievements FOSIS team meets St. Lucia Social Network FOSIS tutor shares the Puente board game with Jamaican social workers