Expanding and improving family planning services in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC)

Emphasis will be placed on increasing the sustainability of FPA"s in the large and demographically significant countries of Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru. Over 80% of project subgrants will be for activities in these four countries, all of whose FPA"s, except Peru"s, are targeted for financial independence in 5-10 years. The International Planned Parenthood Federation/Western Hemisphere Region (IPPF/WHR) will implement the project. Seven outputs are planned. (1) IPPF will increase FP service availability by providing substantial financial support and TA to the FPA"s in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru; similar assistance will be provided to FPA"s in other countries through regional activities centered in the Caribbean and in Brazil. In a new feature of this project, IPPF will support non-FPA organizations doing innovative work to expand effective FP service delivery. (2) In communities and countries where only a limited range of contraceptive methods are available, IPPF will support efforts to broaden the mix, e.g., via lobbying, training health workers, promotional campaigns, and providing supplies/equipment. (3) IPPF will strengthen FPA institutional capabilities in such areas as resource management, accounting, and management information systems. (4) IPPF will also promote program sustainability and cost recovery by supporting FPA partnerships with NGO"s, private doctors, and public sector health providers. Plans will be developed for financing FPA programs as A.I.D. phases out its support. (5) IPPF will continue to support innovative strategies by FPA"s and non-FPA"s for improving service cost-effectiveness. Results of these strategies will be shared throughout the region. (6) Evaluation efforts will emphasize documentation of program performance and, where appropriate, impact. (7) Lessons learned from the project will be disseminated via journal articles, conference papers, and South-to-South sharing of experience with FP managers and policymakers. Ongoing activities in Uruguay and Venezuela will be phased out over the first 18 months of the project.