Month: February 2020

Last year, RACI was once again selected by the New Zealand Embassy to co-manage the funds that are granted to organizations in Argentina and Paraguay through the NEW ZEALAND EMBASSY FUND 2019-2020.

Through the open call, RACI received and evaluated a total of 325 project proposals. This signifies a 124% increase in the number of nominations since 2017 and has doubled from the years 2018-2019. Most of these projects came from Argentina with a total of 273 proposals, while 52 were received from Paraguay.

When the open call was closed, RACI analyzed and evaluated all of these proposals under a scoring system based on the analysis of these categories: project viability, impact, rigor and budget, among other variables considered.

The themes proposed by the New Zealand Embassy were: “Socioeconomic Inclusion,” “Gender Equality,” “Sustainable Development and Renewable Energy,” and “Strengthening of Democratic and Civil Institutions.”

In connection to the results of RACI’s evaluation, the organizations selected by the New Zealand Embassy were Fundación Solar INTI, Asociación Civil Renacer en el tiempo and Fundación Cien Caminos, located in Argentina; and Aldeas Infantiles based in Paraguay.

All of the proposals have innovative ideas with a commitment to improve the standard of living in communities where they are installed and, moreover, possess a strong focus on sustainable development.

On the one hand, Fundación Solar INTI, located in the province of Salta, Argentina, seeks to install ecological kitchens in the Iruya community to reduce wood consumption and guarantee sustainable development in the daily life of families, increasing their autonomy.

On the other hand, Asociación Civil Renacer en el tiempo, located in the province of Formosa, Argentina, aims to develop strategic capabilities for family beekeepers, for the generation of socio-technical solutions that encourage and strengthen the community and sustainability.

In regards to Fundación Cien Caminos, located in the province of Río Negro, Argentina, they have proposed a project that consisted of conducting free campaigns of ophthalmologic care and the promotion of visual health in Rio Negro’s rural zones and vulnerable neighborhoods in the city of Bariloche.

Finally, Aldeas Infantiles, located in Paraguay, is working towards establishing two cognitive and physical rehabilitation rooms to increase medical attention to children, teenagers, and adults with disabilities in the community of San Ignacio, Misiones.

We deeply regret the passing away of Norberto Rodríguez, General Secretary of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), where he did a very important job. He will be remembered for his great commitment to civil society, seeking to strengthen it through the construction of citizenship and the formation of new leaders.

We will always be grateful for his support in the registration process of RACI as a Federation before the IGJ and its work defending the social sector in Argentina and the world.

We accompany the organization in this difficult time and we extend our condolences to their loved ones.

In recent years, Latin America faced several challenges, such as the rising levels of inequality and poverty, corruption at an institutional level, and the appearance of movements against human rights. In addition, according to the CIVICUS Monitor, half of the population of the region lives in places where freedom is restricted and it is also one of the most dangerous regions for human rights defenders. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) also have, in several cases, restrictions coming from the State, limits the access to obtain financial and material resources.

A new study by CIVICUS and Innpactia demonstrates that donors are not investing in a resilient and sustainable Civil Society. The study, Access to resources for civil society organizations in Latin America: facts and challenges, analyzed more than 6,500 calls for resource proposals for Latin America’s development. Another finding was that donor investment in the critical and unique roles of civil society is quite low because there is a limited supply of exclusive resources for the sector and high competition under unfavorable conditions, so there is no stable support available and there is low funding for political and social influence, human rights and the protection of democracy.

Finally, the study showed that most proposals were coming from philanthropic institutions. This proves that philanthropy offers resources in a less concentrated way, which could be a step to ensure that smaller groups are able to access these opportunities through smaller grants.

For more information, visit https://philanthropyinfocus.org/2019/10/31/donors-are-not-investing-in-a-resilient-civil-society-in-latin-america-but-philanthropy-bodies-stand-out/.

Since 2009, RACI started to plan its actions strategically in terms of five years, so as to ease the organization and managing of the processes, and thus providing clarity to its achievements and the way to get them.

In the previous Strategic Plan, from 2015 to 2020, RACI established the strengthening of civil society, advocacy, investigation and regionalization as priority axis that would help to achieve capacity strengthening. After having a midterm review, the plan was thought to be successful, since the Network had 48 new members and another 14 new organizations inside the country. Additionally, RACI sustained its close relationships with International Cooperation agents, the State and private sector, among other relevant actors. Also, there were new partnerships with universities, Chambers of Commerce, and CIVICUS. Another big achievement consisted of getting legal status and the formalization of the Network as a federation.

Unlike the last period, the main goal of the Strategic Plan 2020-2025 was the Strengthening of Civil Society, while having articulation, incidence, investigation and institutional development as priority axis.

RACI began working with the new plan at the end of 2018, and implemented an innovative methodology called Transformative Planning for Changing Scenarios, which involves the participation of a multiplicity of actors from different sectors, who helped define the possible scenarios and strategies of the Planning Strategic, involving a participatory process, organized and based on the constant learning of emerging methodological implementation.

During 2019, RACI carried out a busy agenda, fulfilling different actions both in Argentina and the world.

Learn about some of the activities we were able to execute thanks to the support of our members and allies!

Institutional Development

The Strategic Planning 2020-2025 was one of the significant milestones we achieved this past year. It has shaped our efforts in continuing to be a relevant and effective network that strengthens civil society, calling upon actors from various sectors to prepare a plan that is adaptable to distinct contexts.

During 2019, RACI has also collaborated in the co-management of funds, assisting actors linked to International Cooperation and Private Social Investment in the selection of social projects to finance.

At the same time, RACI was a part of several workshops that included topics such as project development, rural communities, diversity and inclusion, leadership, accountability, institutional development, and innovation for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Raising Awareness and Impact

One of the aspects that RACI promotes to strengthen civil society is the collaboration of different social actors. As a result, more than 350 events have been held by RACI and different actors of society.

In these events, we highlight Civil Society Week in Argentina, where representatives of CSOs, the public sector, the private sector and the Academy participate with the aim of generating cross-sectoral alliances for sustainable development. Meanwhile, RACI also coordinated with the C20 Japan workgroup, where we strengthened our role as International Coordinator of one of the workgroups.

In addition, RACI participated in Innovation for Change, a global network of individuals and organizations that defends and strengthens the civic space and, along with other organizations, leads the regional center of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Training and Strengthening

During 2019, RACI’s team trained in various topics to strengthen their work in the Network. The training consisted of monthly member visits.

Research

In this aspect, RACI developed different research projects such as the analysis of citizens’ priorities and their relation with the 2030 Agenda, the use of Big Data for social change and local private social investment, among other things.

We invite you to read the full yearbook by clicking here.

Aldeas Infantiles is an international non-governmental and non-profit organization founded in 1849 by the Austrian Hermann Gmeiner, whose mission is focused on providing protection and care to children separated from their families. For 40 years, Aldeas Infantiles has been based in our country, working to ensure the development of children, teenagers and young people in protective family environments so that they have the space to exercise their rights.

Currently, Aldeas Infantiles is active in four provinces of our country: Misiones, Córdoba, Santa Fe, and Buenos Aires City and province. In each region, different action programs are currently in progress.

Their programs:

ALTERNATIVE CARE, currently in action in the cities of Mar del Plata, Luján, Córdoba and Oberá. Under this program, the NGO receives children and teenagers deprived of family care as a result of the decisions of higher authority enforcement. Children are received in safe family environments, without separating siblings. They live in a house composed of 6 or 7 children and an SOS Caregiver, accompanied by a specialized team.

FAMILY STRENGTHENING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, active in the cities of Oberá, Lujan, Mar del Plata and Rosario. It aims to help children at risk of losing family care, with a focus on prevention: strengthening the care capabilities of families so that the relationships they develop with the children are affectionate and respectful of the children’s rights.

TEENS AND YOUNG PEOPLE, aims to progressively accompany participants of the Alternative Care Program in their transition to adult life and in the construction of their autonomy: their personal projects, employment training, and the completion of their upper and/or university studies.

FAMILY REINTEGRATION AND ADOPTION, the program works with the participants of the Alternative Care Program who are going to be reintegrated with their biological families, or who are in the process of adoption. We accompany them in the processes of bonding and we strengthen the care capabilities of the families that will receive them.

CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT, through this program, technical teams, adult caregivers, and other right guarantors are trained to promote the direct care and support of children and families from an approach that incorporates the exercise of their rights.

EDUCATIONAL CENTERS, aims to break the cycle of marginalization, poverty, violence and family disintegration through the use of education, so that children are able to acquire the ability to lead a dignified life and become active members of society.

PUBLIC INCIDENCE, the mission of this program is the promotion of political, social, economic and cultural changes that improve the lives of children, allowing them to exercise their rights in a manner that can be sustained in the long term.

HERMANN GMEINER SCHOOL, founded in 1987 in the city of Oberá, provides quality education to more than 900 students, from an initial level to professional and academic training.

If you want to know more about Aldeas Infantiles, you can visit their website or write to info@aldeasinfantiles.org.ar