Regional Learning Project (Programa de Apprendizaje Regional (PAR II)

Name: Regional Learning Project (Programa de Apprendizaje Regional (PAR II)
Duration: March 2006 to April 2007
Donor: United Kingdom Department for International Development

PAR (www.par-lac.org) is a regional initiative of the Impact Alliance (www.impactalliance.org) that seeks to improve the impact of efforts to reduce poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Latin America through knowledge management and the strengthening of regional learning mechanisms. The goals of the program are a) to improve the capacity of local institutions and governments to design and implement specific programs and policies linked to poverty reduction and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); b) to strengthen regional learning and information exchange mechanisms to improve the role of local governments in poverty reduction; and c) to facilitate collaboration and input of the local governments with the international donor community. 

Some emerging results
The program has been successful in highlighting best practice and lessons learned at the local and regional levels. Nine case studies have been developed from experiences in five different countries in the region that document local government initiatives targeting poverty reduction and achievement of the MDGs. A case study documenting the collaborative process and development of indicators for local/municipal government transparency—using the Good Governance Barometer—has also been developed.  Lastly, learning and sharing (knowledge management) mechanisms have been developed to facilitate regional exchange on relevant themes. 

Partners
Intermediate Technology Development Group (ITDG)
http://www.itdg.org

British Department for International Development (DFID)
http://www.dfid.gov.uk

El Servicio Holandés de Cooperación al Desarrollo (SNV)
http://www.snv-la.org

Grupo Nacional de Trabajo para la Participación (GNTP)
http://www.gntp.org/

Instituto Brasileiro de Administração Municipal (IBAM)
www.ibam.org.br

Resource center
For case studies click here.

Staff contacts
Alfredo Ortiz
Latin America Regional Coordinator
Quito, Ecudador
aortiz@pactlac.org