Addressing key challenges common to several countries in the region
This programme, launched in 2013, aims to increase the impact of the Fund’s programmes in the sector and addresses key challenges that are common to several countries in the region, such as Adaptation to Climate Change (ACC) and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). Since its inception, it has enabled the development of innovative knowledge products and platforms, increased the institutional capacity of local governments and provided support for local modernisation and strengthening. It also has an important role to play in supporting the pre-investment and post-investment processes necessary to carry out other projects.
The programme has two components:
The Regional LAIF Programme has projects in Brazil (Ipojuca Basin), Paraguay (Ypacarai Basin and Patiño and Guarani aquifers), Guatemala (Guatemala City), Honduras, El Salvador, Ecuador (Quito), Nicaragua (Managua), Uruguay (Rio de la Plata) and Bolivia (La Paz and El Alto). One of the aims of the programme is to link technical cooperation to investments in the region, under one of the following schemes:
Until December 2021, 37 projects have been implemented under the programme, of which 23 have already been completed. These projects are associated with an investment portfolio of more than 1 billion euros.
Within the framework of the Regional LAIF, three specific programmes, approved in 2020, were implemented in 2021 to strengthen coronavirus prevention in the most vulnerable rural communities in Ecuador and El Salvador.
Ecuador: Support for public drinking water and sanitation services in the provinces of Manabí and Esmeraldas in the context of the health emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, (ECU-LAIF-083): The programme, implemented by the NGO PROTOS, supported public drinking water and sanitation services in Montubio, indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian populations in the provinces of Manabí and Esmeraldas, promoting the rehabilitation of water and sanitation systems that are operating irregularly or are of poor quality. It also included products for water disinfection in households and communities, as well as actions to strengthen the capacity of communities and municipal services.
Related news:
More Than 30,000 People Benefited from the COVID-19 Emergency Programme in Manabí and Esmeraldas, Ecuador
En el año 2020, el Fondo de Cooperación para Agua y Saneamiento (FCAS) puso en marcha tres programas específicos para paliar la situación sanitaria provocada por el coronavirus, todos ellos integrados en el marco del programa regional “Promover la adaptación al cambio climático y la gestión integrada de los recursos hídricos en el sector de agua y saneamiento en América Latina en el marco del Fondo de Cooperación para Agua y Saneamiento (FCAS)”, gestionado por la Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional al Desarrollo con fondos LAIF (Facilidad de Inversiones para América Latina) de la Unión Europea.
El Salvador. Two programmes were implemented in El Salvador:
Throughout 2021, personal protection kits and drinking water supplies were delivered to reduce the likelihood of contamination and ensure the proper functioning of rural water systems in 60 water boards located in San Miguel, Morazán, Cabañas and La Libertad. This project provided water supply to 4,000 families in the communities and prevented the spread of COVID-19 and other diseases.
Related news:
COVID-19 Protection Equipment and Resources for Water Purification in El Salvador
El agua sigue siendo una de las principales barreras de protección frente a la COVID-19. Por eso los programas se han adaptado para fortalecer las capacidades de las juntas rurales de agua de El Salvador para hacer frente a la pandemia.
Pre-investment work for the development of a future programme in the Pilcomayo Basin (located between Bolivia, Argentina and Paraguay) and support for the advancement of transboundary management of shared water resources. In 2021, a cycle of workshops was held to promote the exchange between public and private actors, social and academic organisations to guide the updating of the Master Plan for the river basin.
Related news:
Workshop on Updating the Master Plan for the Integrated Management of the Pilcomayo River Basin.
Mediante la cooperación financiera del Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID) y el apoyo del Consorcio Consultor integrado por BETA Studio S.R.L. (Italia), Proinsa Proyectos de Ingeniería S.A. (Argentina), Ingeniería Ambiental y Recursos Hídricos S.R.L. (A&R S.R.L) (Bolivia) y GEAM (Paraguay) se desarrolla el proyecto “Actualización del Plan Maestro para la Gestión Integrada de la Cuenca del Río Pilcomayo».
Support for the development of strategies to encourage optimal wastewater treatment. The project, which ended in 2021, has led to wastewater diagnostics and inventories in Ecuador, Uruguay and Bolivia; support for planning processes, project reviews and the design of an experimental wastewater treatment centre in Bolivia.
Groundwater monitoring platform for Latin America (PASAL) This platform draws data from satellite information and a regional network of local professionals who support data collection and processing. The aim is to develop base lines on the current situation of the main aquifers in Latin America.
