Background:  Poverty and lack of economic opportunity along with the threats of the narco-economy spillover from Colombia and Peru negatively impact on the lives of many people who live in the northern and southern border areas.  From 1998 through 2007 USAID, on behalf of the U.S. Government, implemented the Northern Border (NB) and Southern Border (SB) Programs under the overall objective of contributing toward the stability and strengthening of the borders provinces.   To continue as well as expand the former NB and SB Programs, USAID is implementing a new Integrated Municipal Development Program (IMDP) with a focus on municipal and local government support.  The provinces covered by this Program are: Esmeraldas, Carchi, Sucumbios, Imbabura, Orellana, Napo, Loja and El Oro.

Objectives:  The objectives of the Integrated Municipal Development Program are to (1) assist local governments to improve services, infrastructure, and increase civic participation in local economic development; (2) finance municipal infrastructure (rural roads, bridges, irrigation and water/sanitation systems); and (3) to maximize the health impact of the water and sanitation infrastructure.

Activity Description:  According to the overall objectives, the Program will provide support to Ecuador's northern and southern border areas most threatened by the spread of a narco-economy.  This Program will respond to the needs and priorities of the communities and local governments; and strengthening the border areas infrastructure, thereby increasing trust in and satisfaction with local governments.  The Program will also undertake hygiene and health education activities in order to improve behavioral attitudes and hand washing practices.  Additionally, to consolidate past efforts the Program will expand and improve citizen participation processes, implement and consolidate citizen oversight of planning, budgeting, and implementation of local government Programs in response to citizen priorities, and furthering the decentralization process by facilitating the transfers from central government ministries and other entities to local governments of key public functions.

Results as of 2007 of the Northern Border and Southern Border Programs:  With the NB and SB Programs, around 1,000,000 people have benefited from the construction or improvement of 235 potable water systems, 74 bridges, 5,080 sanitation systems, 27 garbage collection systems, 114 Km of roads, and 10 irrigation systems. Community participation in construction has increased a sense of ownership that ensures the long-term financial and operational sustainability of these infrastructure investments. Improvement of livelihoods, especially in the targeted marginalized sectors (indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian communities), and in most areas bordering Colombia and Peru, has helped deter the spread of the narco economy.
More than 40 participating municipalities have been strengthened and are now more responsive to the needs of their constituents and, as a result, citizen satisfaction with local government has increased.

Major expected results through 2008:  The Integrated Municipal Development Program will constrain the appeal of illicit activities by strengthening governance, improving infrastructure and health conditions of the borders populations. During 2008, around 7,744 new beneficiaries will be reached, 10 new water systems will be built, 7 sanitation systems will be constructed, 667 new jobs will be created, 40,000 people will be provided with hand washing practices, hygiene and health education, and 8 local governments will be strengthened. The IMDP will target marginalized sectors of the border populations, particularly indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorians and will promote citizen participation in local decision making. Citizens of the border regions will also improve their diarrheal and skin conditions.

Partners: SENPLADES, Plan Ecuador, local governments, local communities 

Implementing partner: International Organization for Migration 

Project duration: Two years (2007-2008)  

Investment: $14,956,457  

Contact: Edgar Gillen, USAID/Ecuador, Tel. (593-2) 398-5181, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it