The Devex Early Intelligence team has learned that the Department for International Development is changing its development strategy in Latin America and the Caribbean. Apart from increasing its financial support for the region by 15 percent over the next three years, DFID will also place greater emphasis on civil society organizations.
The agency has already demonstrated that it values the involvement of civil society in development, particularly in countries where poverty has been persistent. Through its Civil Society Challenge Fund, DFID is showing its willingness to engage with civil society, giving recognition to its position at the frontline of tackling social exclusion and inequality. In addition, it echoes the recent priority given to British civil society. For LAC, this is reflected by the fact that the current NGO funding of GBP7 million (US$10.6 million) is set to increase to GBP13 million (US$19.6 million) by 2010-2011.
In the region, the British development agency will coordinate with 12 NGOs with which it already has program partnership agreements. According to a DFID official, these organizations were selected competitively, and based on the following thematic priorities set by DFID: promoting an accountable public sector; increasing economic opportunities; tackling gender inequality; addressing HIV/AIDS; and mitigating climate change.
It is still too early to determine exactly how the funds will be channeled. However, a DFID program officer tells Devex that it is unlikely for the agency to be involved in procurement since these will be managed by the individual NGOs.
For DFID, Latin America provides a number of important lessons on development for the rest of the world. Perhaps this approach to development through civil society organizations may indicate a broader shift in priorities for the agency.
