USAID PRODECENTRALIZATION PROGRAM: QUARTERLY REPORT (JULY - SEPTEMBER 2013) AND PRESENTING ANNUAL RESULTS

The program's primary objective is to improve the delivery of public services by regional and local governments. To achieve this goal, the program has carried out several activities, including analyses of territorial planning and land use, citizen participation, and the reconstruction of decentralized management experiences. One of the program's key achievements is the development of five departmental diagnostics and the adjustment of the main tools used for decentralization, such as FOCAS and QSIP. The program has also implemented the five stages planned in its operational schedule for the strengthening of institutions and improvement of services rendered by decentralized governments. Notably, the program has achieved 100% accomplishment of the goals set for the application of the FOCAS tool and 80% for the application of the QSIP tool. The program has also made significant progress in promoting dialogue and preventing social conflicts. The capabilities of decentralized governments in exercising this duty have been strengthened, and an emphasis has been placed on disaster risk management. The program has worked to strengthen the preventive and prospective capabilities in disaster risk management of subnational governments. In addition, the program has focused on strengthening capabilities in transparency and citizen participation mechanisms. The work done by the program is in line with an open government policy and the processes started in each Decentralized Management Group (GGD). The program has designed and validated three training programs to achieve this outcome. The program has also consolidated collaborative work with national authorities, such as the Decentralization Secretariat, the National Congress, the Ministry of Education, and the National Dialogue and Sustainability Office. The program has made available four user-friendly and educationally appropriate technical and regulatory documents to the National Center for the Evaluation, Prevention, and Reduction of Disaster Risks (CENEPRED) for the implementation of policies. The program's progress has been reflected in the Annual Report of the decentralization process, which has been made available to key stakeholders, including the national government, subnational governments, and civil society. The report highlights the program's achievements and progress towards its objectives, including the formulation of appropriate guidelines and procedures for the implementation of policies. The program's activities have been carried out in collaboration with various stakeholders, including the Public Management Secretariat of the Prime Minister's Office, the National Assembly of Regional Governments, and the Decentralization Secretariat. The program's work has been focused on improving the delivery of public services, promoting dialogue and preventing social conflicts, and strengthening capabilities in transparency and citizen participation mechanisms. The program's progress has been significant, with notable achievements in the application of the FOCAS and QSIP tools, the strengthening of decentralized governments' capabilities, and the promotion of dialogue and disaster risk management. The program's work has been in line with an open government policy and has contributed to the progress of political dialogue among stakeholders.