Guía metodológica para la formación de paralegales comunitarios

This initiative began in the Proyecto SUBIR of CARE Internacional in Ecuador from 1992 to 2002. The program was later continued by ECOLEX, with the support of the Proyecto Conservación de Áreas Indígenas Manejadas (CAIMAN) from 2003 to 2007. Currently, the program of paralegales is supported by the Iniciativa para la Conservación de la Amazonía Andina (ICAA), funded by the Agencia de los Estados Unidos para el Desarrollo Internacional (USAID). The Guía metodológica aims to provide a framework for the formation of paralegales comunitarios, who are members of Organizaciones de Segundo Grado (OSG) that have formed in the knowledge of legal principles related to organization comunitaria, tenencia de la tierra, áreas protegidas, and recursos forestales. The paralegales serve as a link between the law and the beneficiary group, facilitating the management, negotiation, and relationship of their OSG with government and non-governmental organizations. The Guía metodológica is divided into several sections, including concepción general del programa, planificación del programa, desarrollo del programa, seguimiento, evaluación, certificación, and trabajo en el campo. The guide also includes areas of competition for the paralegales, such as organización comunitaria, legalización de la tierra, agua y regadío, and biodiversidad y propiedad intelectual. The Guía metodológica was made possible with the financial support of ICAA of USAID Ecuador. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of USAID or its projects. The guide is a result of the work of various organizations and individuals, including CARE Internacional, ECOLEX, and the Proyecto Conservación de Áreas Indígenas Manejadas (CAIMAN).