1. www.par-lac.org

2. What is the Regional Learning Program? The Regional Learning Program (PAR) is an alliance of national and international NGOs, municipal governments and associations and grassroots organizations working to promote improved public policy for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) at sub-national levels. The PAR emphasizes the importance of bringing together knowledge, technical expertise and advocacy at a regional level to improve the impact of sub-national governments on poverty. www.par-lac.org

4. Where does the PAR operate? www.par-lac.org Bolivia Brazil Colombia Ecuador Nicaragua Peru Regionally

5. Impact Alliance Inspire, inform, and improve practice and performance within organizations leading to the reduction of poverty and the achievement of sustainable livelihoods. Pact (Washington D.C. USA) Builds empowered communities, effective governments and responsible private institutions that give people an opportunity for a better life; by strengthening the capacity of organizations and institutions to be good service providers, represent their stakeholders, network with others for learning and knowledge sharing, and advocate for social, economic and environmental justice. The partners www.par-lac.org

6. GNTP, The National Working Group for Participation (Bolivia) (GNTP–for its Spanish acronym) Supports and strengthens the construction of a just and equitable society, where forums for exercising citizenry of vulnerable groups is promoted. Strengthening respect for diversity, shared responsibility, and leadership towards a collective well-being. The partners www.par-lac.org IBAM , The Brazilian Institute for Municipal Administration (Brazil) Working to strengthen municipal governments, through a vision of a democratic society, whose goals include the study, exploration and search for solutions to municipal and urban problems, in the context of regional and national development .

7. REDPERU National network of civil society organizations working to promote decentralization, citizen participation and accountability in Peru. FLACMA (Latin American Federation of Cities, Municipalities and Local Government Associations) The Regional Association of Local Governments and Cities for Latin America. Promotes improved policy frameworks and conditions for local governments, engages with international community and donor organizations. CARE International International NGO committed to improving livelihoods and reducing poverty, involved in Andean countries. The partners www.par-lac.org

14. CONNECTING experiences… Systematizing and disseminating existing best practices in sub-national public policy that contribute to poverty reduction and the achievement of the MDGs 3rd Edition of the Award for Sub national Best Practices In Ecuador - Member of the Inter-institutional Committee (March 2007 – March 2008) Case Studies on sub-national initiatives toward poverty reduction in Latin America - Publication (March 2007)

16. DEVELOPING coordinated responses… Promoting collaboration amongst diverse stakeholders for more systemic responses to real world challenges Work with the Latin American Federation for Cities, Municipalities, and Associations of Local Governments (FLACMA – for its Spanish acronym) to strengthen its ability to dialogue and represent Associations of Local Governments, in events and meetings that involve international financial institutions (IFIs) and international cooperation agencies Technical assistance and support in the creation of the Development Plan for the Bolivian Pantanal (PLADEPA) through the use of mechanisms for compromise and stakeholder engagement Technical Officer, Diego Peña, of FLACMA in a PAR sponsored event

17. DEVELOPING coordinated responses (continued) … Promoting collaboration amongst diverse stakeholders for more systemic responses to real world challenges (Photo credit-prefecture of Corumbá, Brazil) (Photo credit-prefecture of Corumbá, Brazil) Bi-national (Bolivia-Brazil) Political Commitment to strengthen the public administration capacity and bring about the sustained development of the border region of the Pantanal. “ … The Municipalities have decided to work together in search for sustained development of the Pantanal region, as well as to seek improved levels of well-being of their populations. ” ~ Letter of Intent Municipalities of the Brazil-Bolivia Pantanal Region Corumbá, Brazil (May 2, 2008)

18. SCALING-UP solutions… The International Seminar - Decentralization and Social Inclusion in the Context of Regional Integration Processes: Combining the expertise and experience of local, national, and international stakeholders to arrive at shared conclusions related to approaches and decision-making processes “ … It is becoming more and more evident that decentralization shouldn’t replicate old styles of inefficient and bureaucratic public administration that have been applied. On the contrary, there should be an opportunity to develop qualitative and quantitative change in the services that, today, various Nations offer, resulting in improved fiscal efficiency. ” ~ Conclusions from the International Seminar San Isidro, Peru (February 8, 2008)

19. SCALING-UP solutions (continued)… Creation of Cross-Border, Cross-Sector Working Groups that respond to shared challenges along the border region (Guayaramerín, Bolivia – Guajará-Mirim, Brazil) “ My outlook is really good…because we already had a meeting with the mayors from both Guajará-Mirim and Guayaramerín. This was fundamental to meet for the first time with mayors, with their secretaries, where we could exchange experiences and identify possible solutions for the problems we face in the region. ” ~ Jose Felipe Becerra, Secretary of Environment Municipal Government of Guajará-mirim, Brazil

20. The PAR brings regional perspective to local work and local experience to regional decision-making processes and stakeholders

21. Investing in the PAR… Is an investment in a program that responds regionally by leveraging the vast experience of organizations that work at the local, national, and regional levels

22. Investing in the PAR… Maximizes your investment for regional impact , by focusing on improving the decision-making and public policy design of thousands of sub-national governments for achievement of the MDGs

23. Investing in the PAR… Connects current projects, institutional expertise and capacity, taking your impact to scale !

24. www.par-lac.org For more information, or to get involved in the Regional Learning Program, visit our web site, or contact: Marcelo Renjel (Coordinator) [email_address] Fernando Dick (GNTP, Bolivia) [email_address] Gil Suarez (IBAM, Brazil) [email_address] Carlos Hertz (RedPeru) [email_address] Guillermo Rivero (Pact, U.S.A.) [email_address] Jeffrey Kwaterski (Impact Alliance) [email_address]