CATALOGUE OF SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATIONIN EL SALVADOR

2013

Ministry of Foreign Relations of El SalvadorVice-ministry for Development Cooperation

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN RELATIONS OF EL SALVADORBlvd. Cancillería, Calle El Pedregal, Antiguo Cuscatlán, La LibertadPBX: (503) 2231-1000/01 - www.rree.gob.sv

Minister of Foreign Relations of El Salvador Hugo Roger Martínez Bonilla

Minister of Foreign Relations of El Salvador Jaime Alfredo Miranda Flamenco

CATALOGUE OF SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATIONIN EL SALVADOR

2013

PRESENTATION 8

SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION IN EL SALVADOR 10

MECHANISM FOR ACCESSING EL SALVADOR’S SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION OFFERING 13

I. SOCIAL PROTECTION Secretariat for Social Inclusion 16 Ciudad Mujer (Women’s City) Program

Social Investment Fund for Social Development (FISDL) 18 Support to the Presidential Program for Communities in Solidarity

II. EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Ministry of Education (MINED) 22 School management for inclusive education

III. ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) 26 Center for integrated natural hazards monitoring and data center

IV. JUSTICE, SECURITY AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION National Civilian Police (PNC) 30 Technical assistance for combating criminal organizations-gangs

V. DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE, HUMAN RIGHTS AND GENDER EQUALITY Autonomous Executive Port Commission (CEPA) 34 Development of regulatory frameworks Development of seaport and airport terminal charges

Contents

Consumer Protection Authority (DC) 36 Development of the National Consumer Protection Policy, Action Plan and THE National Consumer Protection System.

Salvadoran Institute for the Development of Women (ISDEMU) 38 Mechanisms for territorialization of equality policies

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRREE) 40 Information System for Development Cooperation in El Salvador Training aimed at Document Authentication staff on the process of document legalization by apostille Building the institutional architecture for climate finance, lessons from El Salvador

Undersecretariat for Transparency and Anti Corruption Affairs 44 Accountability

National Register of Natural Persons (RNPN) 46 Hospital-based civil registers

VI. AGRICULTURE, AGROFORESTRY, LIVESTOCK AND FISHERIES Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) 50 CENTA Pasaquina. Variety of drought-tolerant corn Hydroponic production of vegetables in controlled environments Support to Glass of Milk School Meal Presidential Program Activation of emergency controls in response to epidemiological outbreaks of Classical Swine Fever (CSF) and Avian Influenza(H7N3) Program for the elimination of diseases of economic importance: Declaration of municipalities of low prevalence of brucellosis and tuberculosis Household aquaculture for low-income families Shellfish aquaculture for low income families

VII. TRADE AND TOURISM Ministry of Economy (MINEC) 56 Strengthening the competitiveness of MSMEs through the Production Development Fund (FONDEPRO)

Ministry of Tourism (MITUR) 58 Tourist-Friendly Centers

National Commission for Micro and Small Businesses (CONAMYPE) 60 Public, Private and Academia Partnership for MSE Promotion through Micro and Small Business Development Centers (CDMYPE ) VIII. POWER GENERATION AND DELIVERY Lempa River Executive Hydroelectric Commission (CEL) 64 The Wholesale Electricity Market in El Salvador IX. BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador (BCR) 68 Survey of remittance senders Financial System Supervisory and Regulatory Law and implementation of the regulatory function SOUTH - SOUTH COOPERATION PROJECT FORM 72

ACRONYMS 79

(...) “But down here, each in their hideout, are men

and women who know what to grasp, making

the most of the sun and eclipses, putting useless things aside and using what is useful. With its

veteran faith the South also exists.”

Mario Benedetti, Uruguayan poet

South-South Cooperation constitutes an important cooperation modality for El Salvador, because it allows generating and strengthening new capacities within national institutions, which can in turn thrust the country’s development process.

In view of the progress achieved by this model, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pleased to present the South-South Cooperation Catalogue in El Salvador, which aims to document those experiences of public network agencies that have improved the quality of life of our population.

During the last four years, our country has made progress in its South-South Cooperation relations with various development partners. Proof of this is the growing number of meetings of the mixed committees held throughout the 2009-2013 period. In addition, there have been more meetings following this cooperation modality with countries such as Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Uruguay and Panama.

El Salvador is aware that this is model is still a work in progress that is laying down the foundations from strategic commitments and actions that are positioning the country in the South-South Cooperation Report in Latin America, Spain and Portugal issued annually by the General Latin American Secretariat (SEGIB ).

We have stated that it is not enough just to understand this kind of collaboration among nations but to practice, document and systematize it to make use of its instruments and mechanisms. The greatest reward in this process is undoubtedly that other nations replicate the most successful projects.

We are also convinced that we have strengthened democracy and increased the quality of governance, transparency, coverage and services with this tool, thus contributing to institution building, in general.

By sharing this catalog we are also sending a message to the world: that it is important to surpass the recipient stage in technical cooperation for development and become suppliers and models of this new coordination dynamic among nations.

It is a constant challenge to fulfill this goal and a reminder that we must comply with cooperation principles of solidarity, reciprocity and horizontality that drive our partnerships. The catalog is part of this commitment which records the experiences related to the Five-Year Development Plan of the Government of El Salvador for the period between 2010 and 2014.

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Presentation

A final, but not least important purpose of this publication is to document the projects and be a useful guide for cooperation agencies, managers, donors, other civil society actors who might replicate the experiences shown in the following pages.

We hope this tool will be favorably received to place El Salvador on the contemporary map of cooperation.

Jaime MirandaMinister of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador

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South-South cooperation is an important modality for El Salvador because it can generate and strengthen new capacity within national institutions with which to enhance development processes in the country.

Currently in El Salvador, South-South Cooperation is rapidly growing, as shown by the increase in the number of joint committee meetings held during the period 2009-2012, from one in 2009 to five in 2012. Also, for the first time, Joint Committee meetings have been held with countries such as Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Panama –and again with Uruguay– during 2011 and 2012, which have finalized an approximately 94 projects, of which El Salvador plays a role as recipient in 82 and as an offeror in the remaining 12.

Based on the above, the country and its national institutions now present a tool that represents the technical offering of South-South Cooperation in El Salvador, in the form of this first Catalogue of Technical Expertise in South- South Cooperation in the country.

At the national level, a process has been articulated for the systematization of South-South Cooperation experiences in the country, both as a recipient and offeror of the cooperation, as well as of other experiences stemming from the country’s installed local institutional capacity that have been considered valuable and suitable to be shared with other partner countries.

Likewise, it is important to mention the process of delimitation and geographical focus of South-South Cooperation, starting with Central America and the Caribbean and extending with a more global vision to all of Latin America.

Based on the foregoing, the Vice-Minister of Development Cooperation, Jaime Miranda, believes that this role can be articulated under a work methodology umbrella that could be embedded within a Performance Framework of South-South and Triangular Cooperation to allow establishing political and technical lines of action under collaboration and consultation schemes.

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SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION IN EL SALVADOR

In recent years, El Salvador has increased the exchange of knowledge on the management of South-South Cooperation in the interest of supporting the national development process.

Since the adoption of the Buenos Aires Action Plan (BAPA) in 1978 the concept now known as South-South Cooperation, defined in the BAPA as technical cooperation for developing countries, has made significant progress in conceptual terms, as a product of a cooperation initiative by the countries of the “Global South”, which has gained ground within the current architecture of International Cooperation for Development.

In recent reports of the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB) on South-South Cooperation in Ibero-America (2011 and 2012) , El Salvador ranks among the top recipients of South-South Cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean, which shows the political commitment of our government with this form of cooperation.

National capacity building, public policy formulation and improvement and strengthening of sectoral plans are some of the advances that have been made in compliance with the cycles of cooperation processes, particularly within the South-South Cooperation agenda.

El Salvador has installed capacities and strengthened expertise through the sharing of South-South knowledge, which has made it possible to consider the country a “knowledge hub” in Central America, thus contributing our knowledge to the global governance system of the International Cooperation for Development.

Today, El Salvador has relaunched and strengthened the bilateral agenda for development cooperation with partners in Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia.

Also, another element that has enabled El Salvador to consolidate its expertise in South-South Cooperation has been the country’s participation in political dialogue forums such as the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB) and the Ibero-American Program to Strengthen South-South Cooperation, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the Latin American Economic System (SELA), among others.

El Salvador considers international cooperation as an important tool in the development process for countries such as ours, where the exchange of South-South knowledge is vital for strengthening institutional capacity and implementing public development policies, in accordance with the 2010-2014 Five-Year Development Plan.

This first “Catalogue of Technical Expertise in South-South Cooperation in El Salvador”presents the technical expertise of our institutions grouped into nine major sectors:

Social Protection.

Education, Science and Technology.

Environment and Climate Change.

Justice, Security and Violence Prevention. Democratic Governance, Human Rights and Gender Equality.

Agriculture, Agro-forestry, Livestock and Fisheries.

Trade and Tourism

Power Generation and Delivery.

Banking and Financial Services.

For the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Vice-Ministry of Cooperation, it is a pleasure to make this tool available to our development partners as a product of national effort for the generation of a more fair and equitable architecture of the Global Governance System for International Cooperation.

Jaime Alfredo MirandaVice-Minister for Development Cooperation

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Regarding this last point, El Salvador has strengthened several sectors of the 2010-2014 Five-Year Development Plan through reinforcing experiences generated from South-South Cooperation, particularly in: social protection, democratic governance, human rights and gender equality, justice, security and violence prevention, health, education, science and technology and agriculture, among others.

It is thus believed important to have trained institutional actors to continuously promote the development of new elements of cooperation, in order to translate the technical expertise into efficient and effective public policies to achieve positive results that will bring about social, economic and political transformation in our country.

The current practice and experience in government management gives us the ability to understand, from a particular reality and context, the developmental factors that are feasible in countries with similar conditions as El Salvador. In this sense, we are able to make available our experiences to other partner countries.

As a country we have experienced various forms of exchange and transfer of knowledge, and therefore we can say that we understand what is and what is not South-South Cooperation. In this context, we are equipped, in general, with a significant supply of technical cooperation, which can be shared with the Central American and Caribbean region as a first step.

We also believe that the development process requires comprehensive and effective forms of cooperation as well as broad and integrated cooperation program designs, not just specific projects or actions.

Evidently, any strategy that can lead to promote the exchange of South-South knowledge through technical assistance, should have the greatest possible political support and, of course, the best technical base or know-how.

In this respect, El Salvador coincides with the guiding principles of South-South Cooperation, which have evolved to govern the operation of this mode of regional cooperation, notably:

Horizontality, solidarity and mutual interest and benefit.

Priority on the exchange of knowledge (technical assistance, capacity building) rather than on financial aspects.

Reciprocity and mutual respect.

Efficient use of resources.

Promotes/fosters relationships, integration and partnerships between countries.

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Moreover, within the Salvadoran South-South Cooperation experience, there are three aspects that have characterized and, in some ways, become assets that govern its actions:

South-South Cooperation as a catalyst and builder of capacity.

South-South Cooperation as a means for collaboration and coordination.

South-South Cooperation as a driver of regional integration processes.

On the other hand, within the conceptualization of South-South Cooperation itself, there are elements applied on a national level that make Sout-South Cooperation a modality of cooperation with an operational institutional framework, namely:

Contribution of South-South Cooperation to the 2010-2014 Five-Year Development Plan of the Government of El Salvador, among other sectoral development plans.

Application of the Agenda for Effectiveness in Development Cooperation within the dynamics of South-South Cooperation in El Salvador

Promotion of South-South and Triangular Cooperation.

Contribution of multilateral cooperation to South-South Cooperation in El Salvador.

South-South Cooperation and its impact on the processes of intra-regional integration and cooperation El Salvador participates to.

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MECHANISM FOR ACCESSING EL SALVADOR’S SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION OFFERING

This catalogue is a management tool for South-South Cooperation through which El Salvador aims to promote technical cooperation initiatives with equally or less economically and socially developed countries.

The process of preparing this catalogue has been undertaken in close collaboration with national Salvadoran institutions in the interest of producing guiding tools for holding joint committee meetings and other bilateral mechanisms at which cooperation matters are put to consideration.

To access the Salvadoran offer of technical expertise in South-South Cooperation, basically two stages must be met: submission of an application and approval, and subsequent implementation, of projects.

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS

The implementing agencies of requesting countries must complete the “Application for projects form” (see Annexes) which calls for general information such as project name, purpose, target population, among other relevant information.

Subsequently, this request must be submitted to the governing body for cooperation, be it the cooperation agency, the State Secretariat, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, etc., according to the competencies of the requesting country.

After these procedures, the application shall be forwarded through diplomatic channels to the Vice-Minister for Development Cooperation for evaluation and acceptance of the application at a meeting of the joint committee, mid-term assessment meeting or other bilateral cooperation management mechanisms established between El Salvador and the requesting country.

The Vice-Minister for Development Cooperation, through the Directorate General for Development Cooperation, will establish the relevant coordination with the relevant Salvadoran institutions to process the application for technical assistance in a timely manner.

Finally, with the technical and political endorsement of the implementing Salvadoran institutions,

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specialists will be appointed to establish contact with their respective counterparts to develop a proposed work and implementation schedule.

The Directorate General for Development Cooperation, through the Department of Bilateral South-South Cooperation, participates actively in the formulation and development of technical cooperation applications and requests a final report from both applicants and Salvadoran implementing institutions as a mechanism for the effective evaluation of project implementation.

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I. SOCIAL PROTECTION

Institution

SECRETARIAT FOR SOCIAL INCLUSION

INSTITUTIONAL OVERVIEWThe Secretariat for Social Inclusion (SIS) is part of the Office of the Presidency of the Republic of El Salvador, and serves as a coordinating body between the ministries and other executive branch institutions, promoting a human rights approach to public policy formulation, with a view to monitor compliance with the agreements and resolutions of the committees and commissions under its jurisdiction, as well as those it is an integral part of. It also advises the President in the performance of its administration to promote actions relating to social inclusion and equality in Salvadoran society.

Area of work Social protection

Website www.inclusionsocial.gob.sv

Cooperation modalities Internships Research Participation at events Exchange of experts

Contact person Carlos Rafael Urquilla Undersecretary for Social Inclusion and Technical Coordinator of the Women’s City Program Tel: (503) 2735-1252 curquilla@inclusionsocial.gob.sv

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Among its mandates are the generation of conditions for social inclusion, development and protection of the human person and the family, the elimination of the different forms of discrimination and building capacities for action and citizen participation through a human rights-based approach.

CIUDAD MUJER (WOMEN’S CITY) PROGRAM

Ciudad Mujer (Women’s City) is a presidential program promoted by the Government of El Salvador under the current administration of President Mauricio Funes (2009-2014), aiming primarily to the comprehensive care of women by helping women improve their living conditions and overcome the gender inequities present in Salvadoran society.

This program is designed as a service center, with services provided by 16 State institutions through a human rights-based approach that goes beyond a welfarist vision and charity handouts. These services, provided by the State are unique in their practical implementation and design, and are oriented to fulfill the specific needs of women.

Needs addressed include deprivation, wants, gaps, or exclusions that preclude women from the full exercise and enjoyment of their rights.

In that sense, Ciudad Mujer joins other non-government actors, such as private sector and non-profit associations, which from their specific interests and backgrounds also cater for women’s needs nationwide, making it an integrated experience worthy of replication.

All 16 State institutions provide their services through integrated care modules, which, namely:

Sexual and Reproductive Health Module

Financial Autonomy Module

Gender Violence Prevention and Care Module

Collective Education Module

Child Care Module

The care modules systematically interrelated, so as to allow for synergies and complementarities to be developed between them. A spot service hub, Ciudad Mujer, serves also as a center for referral to and from the appropriate outside agencies.

Through the Five-Year Development Plan 2010-2014, El Salvador presents the path to economic and social development of the country. This instrument contains the Universal Social Protection System and strategic social policies. City woman is part of that system and, therefore, part of a comprehensive approach to harmonized and coordinated services with other programs and actors.

Women’s City’s experience with tools such as modular care protocols, operating manuals and training materials validated with participating institutions present an opportunity for replication in other similar contexts.

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Institution

SOCIAL INVESTMENT FUND FOR LOCAL DEVELOPMENT

Area of work Social protection

Website www.fisdl.gob.sv

Cooperation modalities Exchange of experts Internships Video conferences as reinforcement.

Contact person Gladis de Serpas Planning Manager Social Investment Fund for Local Development Tel: (503) 2133-1346 gerencia_planificacion@fisdl.gob.sv

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INSTITUTIONAL OVERVIEWThe Social Investment Fund for Local Development (FISDL) is an autonomous entity that implements programs and projects for local development in the context of the central government’s social policy to improve the living conditions of people in poverty, social exclusion and vulnerability. It also strengthens local governments and complies with commitments to entities involved in the local development of municipalities, through continuous improvement of processes and results-based management.

Mission: Reduce poverty in El Salvador by promoting local development processes.

Vision: To be recognized as the leading institution in reducing poverty and promoting local development efficiently and transparently.

Principles: Creativity and innovation, efficiency and effectiveness, equality, solidarity and teamwork.

SUPPORT TO “COMMUNITIES IN SOLIDARITY” PRESIDENTIAL PROGRAM The central government implements the Universal Protection System and FISDL is responsible for implementing a good part of the system through social programs, mainly the “Rural Communities in Solidarity” Program, which targets the 100 municipalities with the most severe extreme and high poverty (according to the 2005 National Poverty Map).

FISDL Experience is based on the targeting, implementation, and monitoring of social programs, namely in the form of conditional cash transfers.

Other successful experiences of FISDL include domiciliary follow-ups and training to improve the way of life of program beneficiaries.

The program component relating to infrastructure for poverty alleviation comprises expanding the coverage of water and sanitation, electricity and basic infrastructure, by promoting community participation.

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II. EDUCATION, SCIENCEAND TECHNOLOGY

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Institution

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

Area of work Education, science and technology

Website www.mined.gob.sv/

Cooperation modalities Internships Exchange of training materials

Contact person Sandra Elizabeth Alas Guidos National Director for Departmental Management Tel: (503) 2537-6328 sandra.alas@mined.gob.sv

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INSTITUTIONAL OVERVIEWThe Ministry of Education (MINED) contributes through quality education to train people and make them aware of their rights and responsibilities to family, society and the country by equipping them with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for their fulfillment in social, cultural, political and economic aspects, and through critical and creative thinking within a framework of ethical values.

SCHOOL MANAGEMENT FOR INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

The Ministry of Education, through the “Vamos a la Escuela” 2009-2014 Social Education Plan, establishes the dignification of working conditions and professional development of teachers and school administrators as one of its strategic lines of action, aware that the continuing education of teachers should be enhanced to build leadership.

The training program for principals and assistant principals aims to strengthen the skills necessary for the transformation of the work culture with an inclusive, participatory process of reflection on their practice through six modules, which further strengthen the skills relating to the administrative functions and knowledge of government regulations that will help them make efficient educational management decisions, consistent with the community integration approach.

This program aims at training principals to become leaders, who will in turn network with their colleagues from other schools to conduct a collaborative process of peer training and self-training, based on an induction process that develops the following topics:

Strengthening institutional management centered on relevant learning.

Redesign of the classroom and school.

Collaborative work for inclusive schools

Among the lines of training are: Learning from the workplace.

Establishment of management teams for greater effectiveness and participation.

Self-esteem and school sustainability.

Human Rights with a view to equality and sensitivity to diversity.

Constant reflection on how to implement the “Vamos a la Escuela” 2009-2014 Social Education Plan.

The Management Team as agents of change for the transformation of the school and classroom.

Strengthening social skills that facilitate the implementation of educational legislation and a working climate conducive to effectiveness of school.

This program implements projects to transform educational practices in schools, which impacts the participatory construction of the educational module proposed in Social Education Plan.

The program seeks to deepen the construction of an education system and society that are more open to differences, promote the comprehensive development of human beings and forge more just social relations in solidarity.

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III. ENVIRONMENT ANDCLIMATE CHANGE

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Institution

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Area of work Environment and climate change.

Website www.marn.gob.sv

Cooperation modalities Training and courses Exchange of experts Internships

Contact person Celina Kattán de Soto Director General of the Environmental Observatory Tel: (503) 2132-9649 ckattan@marn.gob.sv

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INSTITUTIONAL OVERVIEWThe Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) is a cohesive and well-respected institution that fulfills the mandate of implementing the national environmental management policy, while promoting a vigorous civic culture to recover the environment and reduce social and environmental risks.

The vision of the Ministry of Environment involves proactive relationships with the rest of the State institutions, local governments and other regional actors, civil society, business community, universities and the general public. MARN was granted its official mandate of environmental management by the Environment Act of 1998.

CENTER FOR INTEGRATED NATURAL HAZARDS MONI-TORING AND DATA CENTER

The Center for Integrated Natural Hazards Monitoring is one of the largest investments in the framework of MARN’s National Risk Reduction Program, integrating together the Hydrological and Meteorological Forecasting Center, the Landslide Monitoring Unit, the Oceanography Unit, the Volcanology Unit and the National Seismic Data Center.

To support its operation, a data center was established to support communications, expand data storage and considerably speed up access to information.

During 2012, the Center was connected with seven ministerial offices, nine municipalities and fourteen governorates that received in real time the most relevant specific information of evolving threats.

To the investment of more than $ 3 million in the Center for Integrated Natural Hazards Monitoring and Data Center, is added an investment of more than $ 7 million to strengthen the network of stations and local observers, as well as to perform studies of threats and vulnerabilities in half of the national territory.

In the last 18 months, the number of rainfall, meteorological, hydrological, seismological and accelerographic stations has tripled and a robust network of six weather radars has been established, which has expanded capabilities for short-term forecasting.

In addition to using state-of-the-art technology, the system integrates a vital human component. More than 600 local observers have been trained and accredited on the topics of floods, landslides and meteorology, and in areas at risk from flooding and landslides specialists have been trained in warning systems strongly involving community participation. This human component also seeks to develop an environmental culture for risk reduction and climate change adaptation, with a series of activities that allow the population to take ownership on this information and be able to help from their workplaces and homes to reduce risks.

The threat and vulnerability studies provide a detailed analysis of the problems of floods, landslides, earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis on a local scale. This process will enable the country to have, in the short term, a Dynamic Risk Atlas that provides real-time information on the status of risks in the country.

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IV. JUSTICE, SECURITYAND VIOLENCE PREVENTION

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Institution

NATIONAL CIVILIAN POLICE

Area of workJustice, security and violence prevention.

Websitewww.pnc.gob.sv

Cooperation modalitiesExchange of experts and instructorsInternships and courses

Contact persons José Antonio García Head of the Institutional Planning Unit National Civilian Police Tel: (503) 2527-1170 jagarcia@pnc.gob.sv

Adilson Cañas Córdova Head of the Projects Department National Civilian Police Tel: (503) 2527-1170 adilsoncordova@pnc.gob.sv

Maximiliano Torres Head of the Professional Training Unit National Civilian Police Tel: (503) 2226-1044 mtorres@pnc.gob.sv

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INSTITUTIONAL OVERVIEWThe National Civilian Police (PNC) is a modern and professional police force, transparent, democratic and respectful of human rights, which seeks to guarantee the free exercise of the rights and freedoms of individuals, security, peace and order, through the prevention and repression of crime with strict respect for human rights, integrating the commitment of its staff and the participation of the population, and contributing to the promotion of the rule of law and development in the country.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR COMBATING ORGANIZED AND GANG-RELATED CRIME

Since its inception, the National Civilian Police (PNC) has been one of the institutions responsible for ensuring public security through the implementation of various programs related to the national security policy, which aims to improve the quality of life of the population, foster community action for crime prevention, promote accessible, responsive and effective justice and education based on values, respect for law and tolerance.

In the last ten years, the PNC has acquired extensive experience in the field of combating organized and gang-related crime. In this context, the police have expertise in identifying gang structures (organization and form of operation, among other aspects) in urban areas and public spaces, which has led to the detailed profiling of the composition of these criminal groups, leading to the effective arrest and conviction of criminals.

This technical assistance seeks to convey the expertise of the police organization in El Salvador to counter the actions of gangs, determine courses of action that can be implemented in other countries to prevent the massive emergence of this phenomenon and establish partnerships between police organizations in other countries and El Salvador for the exchange of information on this criminal scourge.

The topics will be taught in the context of addressing the fight against criminal organizations:

Origin, evolution and expansion of gangs.

Current situation and hierarchy of gangs (including mapping, gang jargon, programs, tattoos, etc.).

Gangs in prisons and the importance of conducting searches.

Management of informants on the street and in prison.

Importance of using information databases

Plea bargaining as an investigation tool.

Gangs and their relation to drug trafficking.

Special investigative techniques to deal with extortion.

The importance of the different types of information analysis.

Surveillance, monitoring and evaluation techniques.

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V. DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE,

HUMAN RIGHTS AND GENDER EQUALITY

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Institution

AUTONOMOUS EXECUTIVE PORT COMMISSION

Area of work Democratic governance, human rights and gender equality.

Website www.cepa.gob.sv

Cooperation modalities Internships Exchange of experts

Contact person Rolando Alberto Díaz Concessions Manager Autonomous Executive Port Commission Tel: (503) 2218-1277 rolando.diaz@cepa.gob.sv

INSTITUTIONAL OVERVIEWThe Autonomous Executive Port Commission (CEPA) is a public institution with an autonomous nature and legal personality dependent on the executive branch, through the Ministry of Public Works. Its Organic Law provides that it “will be responsible for the administration, operation, management and implementation of port operations at all port facilities in the Republic not subject to special arrangements, as well as for the custody, handling and storage of goods subject to special arrangements, as well as the custody, handling and storage of exports and imports. It will also administer, operate and manage all State-owned rail systems. It will also plan and execute by itself or through a contractor the construction of new facilities and of all works necessary for the expansion and improvement of existing seaport, airport and railway facilities.” Moreover, it is responsible for the control and management of support services for air navigation.

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CEPA is responsible for providing the services and facilities through its strategic infrastructure and equipment in seaports, airports and railway facilities. The following facilities are under its jurisdiction: the seaports of Acajutla and La Union, the El Salvador International Airport, the Ilopango International Airport, and the El Salvador National Railways.

CEPA has specialized technicians with ample expertise in seaport, airport and railway related regulatory frameworks, and broad experience gained in the implementation of national strategic projects, such as:

Civil Aviation Authority Institutional Framework and Financing Mechanism.

Development of the Civil Aviation Organic Law

Maritime Port Authority Institutional Framework and Financing Mechanism.

Development of the General Law on Maritime Ports

Development of Decrees relating to port concessions:

Development of Decree 1014 for concession of the Port of Acajutla.

Development of Decree 834, Law on Concession of Phase I of the Multipurpose Port Specializing in Containers of the La Unión Centroamericana Port

This experience has allowed technical staff to gain more knowledge on the topic and be able to transfer experience and knowledge, making available highly trained and competitive staff, so that the institution can reduce the number of hired consultants to develop these topics.

CEPA has qualified human resources who have extensive experience in developing tariffs for both seaports and airports, namely:

Development of port tariffs for the port of La Union, which began operations in2010.

Development of tariffs for the provision of services to aircraft and passengers using the El Salvador International Airport.

Development and updating of tariffs for theIlopango International Airport.

Development of tariffs for the Port of Acajutla.

This experience has allowed technical staff to gain more knowledge on the topic and be to transfer experience and knowledge, making available highly trained and competitive staff, so that the institution benefits from limiting the recruitment of consultancies to develop these themes.

In turn, with the creation and updating of the above tariff schemes, it was achieved at the national level to improve the income of companies managed by CEPA as well as attract shipping companies to the new La Union Port.

This experience can be transferred through tools that have been developed, such as implementation regulations, among other exercises linked to the operational execution of the experience.

DEVELOPMENT OF REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS

DEVELOPMENT OF SEAPORT AND AIRPORT TARIFFS

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INSTITUTIONAL OVERVIEW:The Consumer Protection Authority (DC) protects the rights of consumers facilitating the solution of consumer disputes, streamlining services, deepening the monitoring of suppliers, promoting education and citizen participation and coordinating joint action with other State institutions, to contribute to a better functioning of the market and the exercise of citizens’ rights.

Institution

CONSUMER PROTECTION AUTHORITY

Area of work Democratic governance, human rights and gender equality. Website www.defensoria.gob.sv

Cooperation modalities Internships Training

Contact person Pedro Martín García Institutional Cooperation and Relations Consumer Protection Authority (503) 2526-9019 pgarcia@defensoria.gob.sv

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DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATIONAL POLICY ON CONSUMER PROTECTION, ACTION PLAN AND THE NATIONAL CONSUMER PROTECTION SYSTEM

The National Policy on Consumer Protection (PNPC), the Action Plan and the National Consumer Protection System, are important means to generate structural changes within society in the field of consumer rights. The experience in this field has created a link between the legal system and the operational system and interagency interactions within the Government of El Salvador, where different actions converge to bring about solutions to complex conflicts, ensure the implementation of the Consumer Protection Act and contribute to public awareness of citizen’s rights.

Developing the PNPC document encompassed three main stages: a review of current regulations, a process of consultation and validation for approval of its contents, and the public presentation of the document by the highest authorities. Also, the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection were used as a benchmark, which facilitated the structuring of the document into 6 major sections, 24 guidelines, 103 priority actions and more than 300 activities that ensure the validity of the actions involving 35 responsible government institutions, organized into 10 sectoral committees responsible for jointly enforcing the Law.

The Consumer Protection Authority seeks to share the process of building the Consumer Protection Policy and the establishment of the National Consumer Protection System, as a successful experience for the creation and implementation of public policy.

The PNPC is part of a new generation of public policies that leverage institutional strengths of specialized agencies to jointly address the concerns of consumers, as it saves on resources by streamlining processes and coordinating efforts, as well as gives consistency and integrity to the process of creation of new regulations, while maintaining close coordination in addressing consumer issues and providing better response to the consumer population. Thus, citizens have not just one institution acting in defense of their rights, but the entire State structure involved in this task.

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Institution

SALVADORAN INSTITUTE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF WOMENArea of workDemocratic governance, human rights and gender equality.

Websitewww.isdemu.gob.sv

Cooperation modalities Internships Training

Contact person Angélica Cuadra Director of International Relations Salvadoran Institute for the Development of Women Tel.: (503) 2281-7503 a.cuadra@isdemu.gob.sv

Rosa Isabel Guzman Territorial Management Coordinator Salvadoran Institute for the Development of Women Tel.: (503) 2281-7551 r.guzman@isdemu.gob.sv

Cecibel Guardado Citizenship Program Specialist Salvadoran Institute for the Development of Women Tel.: (503) 2281-7549 c.guardado@isdemu.gob.sv

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The territorial management experience for equality gained through implementation of One-Stop Services and Advisory and Social Oversight Councils, allows appropriation of national priorities for gender equality and empowerment of women in the territories. Therefore, ISDEMU aims to promote knowledge generation in the various partner countries through internships, participation at events and the exchange of experts.

This exchange will greatly strengthen institutions seeking to promote and implement public policies for equality, paving the way for territorial strategies in this area

MECHANISMS FOR TERRITORIALIZATION OF EQUALITY POLICIES

ISDEMU has defined mechanisms for the territorialization of the National Regulation in order to comply with its strategic goal of enforcing public policies for the substantive equality between womenand men at the national level, in favor the full exercise of citizenship by women, intervening in policy formulation to demand that women’s rights be guaranteed by the Salvadoran State.

Territorialization mechanisms have become innovative elements of the National Plan for Substantive Equality, conceived as a set of guidelines that articulate the regulatory framework for equal conditions in all territories.

In this sense, ISDEMU sees fit to share the expertise gained through the One-Stop Services and Advisory and Social Oversight Councils, making them available to the various partner countries in Latin America, the Caribbean and extra-regionally.

INSTITUTIONAL OVERVIEW:The Salvadoran Institute for the Development of Women (ISDEMU) is the government institution responsible for making equality between women and men a policy of the Salvadoran state. Among its objectives are to design, manage, execute, assess and ensure compliance with the National Women’s Policy, by promoting, in this regard, the integrated development of Salvadoran women.

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Institution

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Area of work Democratic governance, human rights and gender equality.

Website www.rree.gob.sv

Cooperation modalities Training and courses Exchange of experts Internships

Contact person Ryna Garay Araniva, General Director of Development Cooperation Tel: (503) 2231-1018 zelopez@rree.gob.sv

INSTITUTIONAL OVERVIEW:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRREE), as the institution responsible for conducting the country’s diplomatic relations with other States, has the vision of presenting El Salvador as a country that promotes respect for human rights, peace, democracy, economic development, regional integration, cooperation for development, dialogue and good relations with all countries of the world.

Its strategic areas of action aim at positioning the country in the international arena, promoting regional integration, sovereignty and territorial integrity, fostering cooperation for development and economic relations, catering to Salvadorans overseas, promoting human rights, modernization and institutional strengthening, improving the institutional image and enhancing internal communication.

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The MRREE is divided into three major vice-ministries: the Vice-Ministry for Foreign Relations, Integration and Economic Development, the Vice-Ministry for Salvadorans Overseas, and the Vice-Ministry for Development Cooperation. The latter has the general objective of coordinating, integrating and enhancing international cooperation for development, positioning itself as the leading cooperating agency in El Salvador.

Among its main specific objectives are: i) strengthen institutional capacities for managing the complete cycle of international development cooperation, with a focus on transparency, accountability and effective and efficient use of resources; ii) build the National Strategy for International Development Cooperation in an inclusive and participatory manner; iii) advance in the alignment of International Development Cooperation with the government’s development priorities and plans, especially those aimed at the poor and excluded; iv) substantially increase flows of non-reimbursable technical cooperation that the country receives and provides; v) establish national coordination mechanisms to facilitate the management cycle, the implementation and monitoring of International Development Cooperation; and vi) systematize the updated information on International Development Cooperation in the country (including unofficial assistance), facilitating public access to it.

INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION IN EL SALVADOR

The Information System for Development Cooperation in El Salvador (SICDES) is a tool that contributes to the transparency and effectiveness of cooperation in the country through the recording and dissemination of information.

SICDES contributes to building a culture of good governance in the eyes of the public, facilitating public access to information and strengthening the accountability mechanisms of the State.

This initiative is part of a process of continuous improvement of the management of development cooperation in El Salvador, which requires progress in two directions: (1) ongoing institutional capacity building to record and update information to inform decision-making processes; (2) establishment of mechanisms for dialogue and coordination among the different public and private actors involved in development cooperation, to ensure broad ownership of the instrument and continuous exchange of information.

The SICDES has the ability to show what the benefits of cooperation for development are in the country, showing geo-referenced information on what sectors and territories are benefiting from development cooperation.

The interesting aspect about this system is that it allows us to know the number of projects by donor, accompanied by a data sheet, in addition to showing the CAD sectors receiving the benefits from the project and the development strategies achieved therewith. It also reports on the projects’ to the Millennium Development Goals.

The SICDES also provides information on everything relating to technical cooperation, as well as information of interest such us scholarhips and other forms of cooperation.

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TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON AUTHENTICATION OF DOCUMENTS THROUGH THE APOSTILLE PROCESS

El Salvador has over fifteen years of experience in document authentication by the apostille process. The process consists of a simplified method of certifying a document’s authenticity, accepted internationally. This was introduced as an alternative to authentication by the Hague Convention of 1961.

The country is one of the largest issuers of apostilles in Central America, which has led to important achievements affording flexibility and efficiency to the process. Also, the country has established four decentralized apostille-issuing offices throughout the country.

The Salvadoran apostille process is being positioned as an exemplary experience going beyond theory to practice, and provides a detailed overview of the work done by officials at central and decentralized offices across the country.

The experience is conveyed in three main stages: First, a presentation is made on the conceptual legal framework for issuing apostilles, a history of apostilles, the efficiency and effectiveness of the Hague Convention with the institutions receiving apostilled documents, and the classification public documents that are subject to this method.

Second, through onsite visits to decentralized offices issuing apostilles. Third, a reflection is made on specific issues within the framework of the development of the experience on a practical level.

With this methodology, the technical staff of counterpart institutions in partner receiving countries may provide a physical space where the apostille process may be demonstrated as requested by ordinary citizens, and from this, insight is gained into the time it takes to issue a document authenticated in this manner. Also, it allows public officials to interact with the user and become familiar with all the details of the document to be apostilled.

Finally, this process presents the added value of the staff ’s acquiring the needed skills and abilities required by the Salvadoran apostille process, while providing a national operational structure and a streamlined issuance process, which allows providing this public service in a more effective and efficient manner to all citizens interested in expediting all procedures, according to what is stipulated by the apostille method.

Cooperation modalities Training and courses Exchange of experts Internship

Contact person Maria Mercedes Lopez Peña Director of Consular Affairs Tel: (503) 2231 1330 mmlopez@rree.gob.sv

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BUILDING AN INSTITUTIONAL ARCHITECTURE FOR CLIMATE FINANCE, LESSONS FROM EL SALVADOR

Climate change is a potential threat that affects the development of our peoples, because of its economic, social and environmental implications. Such cross-cutting implications require a government coordination architecture that can respond adequately to the challenges posed by climate change.

El Salvador has worked on building the institutional architecture necessary to meet effectively the challenges posed by climate change, establishing the Climate Change Committee (CCC) under the National Environmental System promoted by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. Also, work has been done at a more technical level through the Inter-Agency Committee on Climate Change Financing (CIFCC, for its Spanish acronym) comprised of the Vice-Ministry for Development Cooperation, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and the Technical Secretariat of the Presidency.

In the context of work done by the CIFCC, a self-assessment of institutional capacities for access and management of climate finance has been developed, along with the study “Overcoming barriers to climate finance - Lessons from El Salvador,” which allowed identifying the domestic and external obstacles faced by central government institutions for access to, management of and accountability for climate finance. This joint work has allowed building a roadmap and work plan for the twenty institutions making up the Committee to overcome the barriers identified within the framework of this study.

The experience to be shared is part of the development of the study on the barriers and the roadmap, as it collects relevant elements on the inter-agency organization and coordination of the CIFCC as a tool to gain access to large-scale climate finance sources.

Cooperation modalities Training and courses Internships

Contact person Carmen María Argüello López Directora de la Oficina de Gestión de Financiamiento Climático Tel: (503) 2231 1049 cmarguello@rree.gob.sv

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Institution

UNDERSECRETARIAT FOR TRANSPARENCY AND ANTICORRUPTION AFFAIRSArea of workAccountability, access to public information, citizen participation, social oversight, strengthening of internal control and training and awareness on transparency and anticorruption affairs, among other related topics.

Website www.asuntosestrategicos.presidencia.gob.sv

Cooperation modalities Training and courses Exchange of experts Internships

Contact person Kimberling Hernández Director of Accountability Tel: (503) 2133-7515 khernandez@presidencia.gob.sv

Héctor Rodríguez Accountability Specialist 503) 2123-7524 hrodriguez@presidencia.gob.sv

INSTITUTIONAL OVERVIEW:The Secretariat for Transparency and Anticorruption Affairs (SSTA) was born within the Secretariat for Strategic Affairs of the Presidency, which, by Presidential Decree No. 1 of June, 2009, has the power to “promote integrity, transparency and citizen audits, through citizen access to public information and legal responsibility.”

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Within this framework, since its inception the SSTA has implemented actions aimed at promoting transparency in government management. Among these actions, it is important to mention the annual accountability Executive Branch institutions are held to and the promotion of the Law on Access to Public Information.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Accountability is one of the fundamental aims of the Secretariat for Strategic Affairs. In response to the presidential mandate to be “a responsible, efficient, effective, modern, deconcentrated and decentralized public sector that provides quality services to the population, that has sufficient resources to adequately fulfill the duties assigned by the Constitution and that has a responsive and transparent accountability system,” the Secretariat for Strategic Affairs has promoted annual accountability hearings for all public officials of Executive Branch institutions to explain and report on their actionsand listen to citizens.

Each year, the Undersecretariat for Transparency and Anticorruption Affairs (SSTA) convenes and advises all institutions to give clear accounts of the work done during the year and on specific issues of public interest, such as: bidding processes for infrastructure projects, the implementation of special agricultural programs, the handling of national emergencies, the implementation of fiscal programs, the progress of educational programs, the handling and resolution of environmental problems, etc.

The accountability processes are set up as a dialogues between citizens and public officials and addresses issues such as: the management of resources allocated to each entity, progress and difficulties during the performance activities, the reason for the decisions made, the results and benefits for citizens and the spaces

available to the public to express their concerns and demands.

During the implementation of the mechanism various forms of accountability exercises have been carried out, namely: open forums, roundtable discussions, public hearings, special hearings, preliminary hearings, etc., that are of interest to the public and ensure the exchange of opinions between citizens and officials.

The rendering of accounts allows establishing a permanent communication link with the public so that citizens can review, evaluate and propose on issues that interest and affect them, exercising control over government administration and oversight in the exercise of public functions. In summary, this experience is generating important benefits both for institutions and for citizens, including:

BENEFITS FOR THE GOVERNMENT:

Consolidates good governance and the government’s capacity for ongoing improvement.

Improves communication with citizens.

Generates greater trust in institutions.

BENEFITS FOR THE POPULATION:

Enables direct dialogue with the government and allows clarifying doubts.

Improves existing information and allows evaluating results and making proposals.

Improves quality of life by addressing citizens’ concerns in a better way.

All government entities at all levels (national, regional departmental and municipal) are called to render accounts. The Departmental Management Cabinets and public schools are also held accountable for their results.

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Institution

NATIONAL REGISTER OF NATURAL PERSONSArea of work Government and political system

Website www.rnpn.gob.sv

Cooperation modalities Technical assistance Internships

Contact person Jaime Ernesto Cerón Siliezar Chief Registrar Resources National Register of Natural Persons Tel: (503) 2521-9318 jceron@rnpn.gob.sv

INSTITUTIONAL OVERVIEW:The National Register of Natural Persons (RNPN) is the institution responsible for administering the systems of the National Register of Natural Persons, the Register of the Unique Identity Document and other systems as determined by law. Its functions include the centralized recording, keeping and issuing updated information on the civil status of individuals, creating systems

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for processing and preserving such information, giving official assurance to the facts and events related to the civil status of people, organizing the National Register with the information provided by the State Registers and the Family Status Registers of the Republic, and facilitating the location and query of such information. It also corresponds to the National Register of Natural Persons to issue the Unique Identity Document (DUI) for natural persons, which will be sufficient for citizens to reliably identify themselves at all public or private acts.

The powers of the RNPN include participating in the development of vital statistics in the country and providing State agencies the necessary statistical information to inform the population policy formulation process.

Its jurisdiction comprises the entire national territory, in the field of registration of the civil status of and issuing identification documents to citizens.

HOSPITAL-BASED CIVIL REGISTERS

Based on the experiences of similar public records systems, in 2008 the National Register launched the project for “Hospital-Based Civil Registers,” which enabled the creation of a births registration tool that would allow for the timely registration of births through the establishment of an office at hospitals attending births. The project was first implemented at two national hospitals in the western zone of the country.

The encouraging results obtained, by the end of 2012 eight hospital-based civil registry offices had been set up at hospitals with the highest birth rates in the country.

The increased number of hospital-based civil registry offices caused a change in the organizational structure of RNPN; thus, at present, this process is administered by the Hospital Registration Unit, which has a manager and 34 legal assistants, supervised by the Directorate of the Register of Natural Persons.

The overall objective of the hospital-based civil registry offices is to have a tool that allows the registration children born prematurely, reducing the rates of under-reporting of births and increasing the legal certainty for the newborns.

Its implementation requires a series of actions, including:

Creating interagency partnerships with hospitals and municipal authorities in the province in which the hospital facility is located, as well as with the mayor’s offices whose populations attend the hospital facility to give birth.

Installing a registry office, led and managed by the RNPN within the hospital facilities.

Training the health personnel (working at hospitals, health units, etc.), the staff of the Family Status Registers of municipalities and the staff of the RNPN working in the hospitals.

An important aspect for achieving the objectives of the program is the dissemination of the program. To this end, activities have been developed with the health units, so as to provide information to mothers since the prenatal stage on the importance of the right to identity and the legal documentation that must be submitted at time of birth registration.

The RNPN Register office is open 365 days a year from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm (open through noon hour). The hospital facilities will allow parents entry outside visiting hours for patients, solely for purposes of registration, protecting the right of children to a parental kinship relationship.

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The National Register performs the registration based on the provisions of the Transitory Law Regulating Registration of Family Status and Marital Property Regimes.

Guaranteeing the right to an identity from the moment of birth has become a fundamental activity and a priority to the RNPN, as it allows quantifying with a lower margin of error the number of population targeted by public policy, increasing the number of beneficiaries by reducing social exclusion.

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VI. AGRICULTURE,AGROFORESTRY, LIVESTOCK AND

FISHERIES

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Institution

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK

Area of work Agriculture, agro-forestry, livestock and fisheries.

Website www.mag.gob.sv

Cooperation modalities Training and courses Exchange of experts Internships

Contact person Mario Parada Jaco Research Manager Tel: (503) 2302-0200 paradaja@yahoo.com

Héctor David Martínez Arias Director General of Livestock Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock Tel: (503) 2210-1700, ext. 4355, 2210-1947, 2210-1764 hector.mar tinez@mag.gob.sv

Victor Manuel Torres Ruiz Director General of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development - CENDEPESCA Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Tel: (503) 2210-1700, ext. 6103, victor.torres@mag.gob.sv

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CENTA PASAQUINA, A VARIETY OF DROUGHT-TOLERANT CORNThe CENTA PASAQUINA variety was released in 1988 and came from the International Center for Maize and Wheat Improvement (CIMMYT). Specialists and phytobreeders from CIMMYT and from the National Center for Agricultural and Forestry Technology (CENTA) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock were involved in its creation.

Since its launch, the CENTA PASAQUINA variety has been widely used in the eastern zone of El Salvador where it is known by the name of “planta baja” for its low plant height. This is an open-pollinated variety, totally drought-resistant, with a growing cycle of 90-95 days, excellent ear coverage, white dented kernels, and a yield potential of 55-60 quintals per manzana. It is important to highlight that this variety meets the goals of being an alternative well-suited to low rainfall caused by climate change, helping to contribute to food security in the country.

The cooperation of international research centers is vital to achieving the institutional and country objectives, which is based on the flow of germplasm and the strengthening of technical capabilities.

HYDROPONIC VEGETABLE PRODUCTION IN CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENTSThe progressive deterioration of soil in greenhouses and horticultural production areas, generally due to depletion, fungal contamination and increasingly widespread salinization of the land, has led farmers to opt for hydroponics as a solution to these problems.

On the other hand, it is now essential to implement techniques that will lead to an economization of increasingly scarce water resources. The hydroponics cultivation technique, given its high technology, allows consumption of only the water needed, minimizing losses and providing only the amount of the precious element that plants strictly need. This combined with the increased productivity and quality achieved through the use of perfectly controlled cultivation variables, allows obtaining greater yields with minimal consumption of water and fertilizers.

Based on three types of greenhouses, CENTA and a training center are helping spread and strengthen technical capacities of specialized staff and vegetable farmers in protected agriculture, hydroponics and fertigation for vegetables, whilst promoting research and the transfer of technology.

INSTITUTIONAL OVERVIEW:The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of El Salvador (MAG) is the body responsible for facilitating and streamlining the process of sustainable development in the areas of agriculture, forestry, fisheries, aquaculture and the rural sector through effective services in order to contribute to the welfare of the Salvadoran population and especially of rural families.

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SUPPORT TO “GLASS OF MILK” SCHOOL-FEEDING PRESIDENTIAL PROGRAM (VASO DE LECHE)

This support aims to ensure the supply of grade-A milk supply to the Presidential Program “Vaso de Leche” through the provision of technical assistance and training to participating milk-producer associations.

In 2011, to meet the demand of the program, the sector produced 3.3 million bottles of milk, satisfying demand for 247,903 students. In 2012 production increased to 5.1 million bottles of milk for 499,819 students. The program expects to serve 825,000 students with 8.6 million bottles of milk in 2013.

Currently mechanisms are being proposed to increase the farmer associations’ capacity to cover the program’s supply chain –which includes producing, pasteurizing, packaging and distributing milk to neighboring schools– and facilitate access to credit for the purchase of machinery and equipment.

ACTIVATION OF EMERGENCY CONTROLS IN RESPONSE TO EPIDEMIOLOGICAL OUTBREAKS OF CLASSICAL SWINE FEVER (CSF) AND AVIAN INFLUENZA (H7N3)

Because El Salvador has been declared free of classical swine fever (CSF) and influenza, following outbreaks in neighboring countries, the Ministry of Agriculture has implemented three emergency plans in response to safeguarding the health of people and animals during 2012, namely, the activation of emergency controls in response to disease outbreaks of classical swine fever (CSF), high-pathogenicity avian influenza (H7N3) and bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

These plans provide for the mobilization of technical staff, the establishment of mobile stations for control of animals in transit, unit-by-unit monitoring, customs controls and preventing the entry of animals from countries with presence of the above-mentioned diseases

PROGRAM FOR THE ELIMINATION OF DISEASES OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE: DECLARATION OF MUNICIPALITIES OF LOW PREVALENCE OF BRUCELLOSIS AND TUBERCULOSIS

The project seeks to reduce and eradicate the focal prevalence of economically important diseases such as bovine brucellosis and tuberculosis, thereby contributing to economic and phytosanitary development

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in the country. Currently, the project has targeted 580 production units and more than 11,000 heads of cattle in Anamorós, La Unión. Parallel to this, the project is implementing a traceability program and mobile checkpoints.

A historic breakthrough occurred in 2012 when El Salvador and Central America were declared areas of low prevalence of brucellosis and tuberculosis.

FAMILY AQUACULTURE FOR ECONOMIC DISADVANTAGED GROUPS

The experience with promotion of household aquaculture has allowed developing and strengthening aquaculture production capacities of women and men, at household level in the country’s poorest municipalities. Moreover, this activity has helped improve the nutrition of the target population, ensuring food security and improving income through the sale of surplus aquaculture production.

Household aquaculture development is a productive activity with the following advantages: production of quality tilapia meat of high nutritional value at low production cost; maximum utilization of land areas surrounding homes. There is also a wide range of useable sources of water as well as development of new production alternatives. It is also an activity that empowers women and young people through the use of new technologies and viable and sustainable resource management.

SHELLFISH AQUACULTURE FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES

The experience with promotion of shellfish aquaculture has allowed developing and strengthening the production capacities of women and men at household level in the country’s poorest municipalities. Moreover, this activity has helped improve the nutrition of the target population, ensuring food security and improving income through the sale of surplus aquaculture production.

Shellfish aquaculture development is a productive activity with the following advantages: production of oysters, black conch (concha negra) and “donkey’s hoof ” conch (casco de burro) of high nutritional value at low production cost; and development of new production alternatives. It is also an activity that empowers women and young people through the use of new technologies and viable and sustainable resource management.

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VII. TRADE ANDTOURISM

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Institution

MINISTRY OF ECONOMY

Area of work Trade and business

Website www.minec.gob.sv www.fondepro.gob.sv

Cooperation modalities Consultancies Exchange of experiences and technical expertise Internships at the facilities of the Fund Exchange of information and documentation

Contact person Cesar Ricardo Moncada Director of FONDEPRO Tel: (503) 2247-5871 Fax: (503) 2247-5870 cmoncada@minec.gob.sv

Alfredo Carvajal External Cooperation Unit Tel: (503) 2247-5630 jcar vajal@minec.gob.sv

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INSTITUTIONAL OVERVIEW:

The Ministry of Economy (MINEC) promotes the development of a highly competitive and fair economy to expand opportunities for Salvadorans, contributing sustainably to their development.

It contributes to building a prosperous, just, equitable country with democracy and solidarity by strengthening the productive capacities of all business sectors, deepening regional economic integration, consolidating trade liberalization, pritoritizing sectoral policies in areas with high growth potential, and strengthening the domestic market based on clear rules and by supporting local initiatives.

Thus, it promotes the development of competition and competitiveness of productive activities for both the domestic and external markets through the promotion of investment and export growth.

STRENGTHENING COMPETITIVENESS OF MSMES THROUGH THE PRODUCTION DEVELOPMENT FUND

The Production Development Fund (FONDEPRO) contributes to improving the productivity and competitiveness of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country by supporting the implementation of their projects through nonrefundable co-financing mechanisms.

FONDEPRO provides comprehensive support in line with the competitive needs of businesses through FONDEPRO’s development tools in six lines of assistance:

Quality and productivity

Cleaner production (including energy efficiency and environmental protection)

Support to supply chains and associativity (including supplier development)

Innovation and technology

Market development

Dynamic entrepreneurship

The MSME co-financing mechanism has had a favorable impact on the competitiveness of the supported enterprises, reflecting primarily on an increase in exports, job creation, creation of new export businesses, diversification of export markets and development of new products, thus demonstrating the importance of this type of support to the business sector.

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Institution

MINISTRY OF TOURISM

Area of work National Tourism Policy and Plan

Website www.mitur.gob.sv

Cooperation modalities Training and courses Exchange of experts Internships

Contact person Nelson Alvarado Tejada Coordinator of Tourist-Friendly Centers and Tourism Development Committees Tel: (503) 2241-3200 Fax: (503) 2223-6120 ralvarado@corsatur.gob.sv

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INSTITUTIONAL OVERVIEW:The Ministry of Tourism (MITUR) is the institution responsible for promoting tourism and determining and enforcing the National Tourism Policy and Plan and regulatory projects. It also promotes the tourism industry and acts as the coordinating and supervisory body on tourism in El Salvador.

TOURIST-FRIENDLY CENTERS (CATS): A DECENTRALIZED CARE MODEL FOR DEVELOPING TOURISM

As part of efforts to enhance the growth of the different tourist destinations, Tourist-Friendly Centers (CATS) have been set up at the following destinations: Ruta de las Flores, Salcoatitán, Sonsonate, Port of La Libertad, Suchitoto, Cuscatlán, Ruta Fresca, La Palma, Chalatenango, Ruta de la Paz, Jocoaitique, Morazán, and La Union.

CATs provide visitors with tourist information and technical assistance to tourist sector entrepreneurs, in coordination with different actors promoting social and economic development in the municipalities –local and municipal governments, NGOs, Tourist Development Committees (CDTs), unions and central government institutions.

The experience of the Tourist-Friendly Centers model is intended as an example of service decentraliza-tion in the tourism sector. The Centers provide information and assistance to tourists visiting the area, and also provide support to businesses, local governments and CDTs. All these entities promote the socio-economic development of the municipalities through tourism.

This experience seeks to provide support for programs that promote the competitive development of micro, small and medium-sized tourism enterprises, as well as associativity between the various actors to facilitate the formation of the CDTs and municipal information desks at tourist development hubs nationwide.

The decentralization of tourism services is in line with the Central Government’s 2010-2014 Five-Year Development Plan, as it is through the CATs that it seeks to strengthen mechanisms that will guarantee the nation-building role of tourism in coordination with local stakeholders, and emphasize supporting the MSMEs to develop their business potential.

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Institution

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR MICRO AND SMALL BUSINESSES

Area of work Trade and business

Website www.conamype.gob.sv

Cooperation modalities Consultancy Training Technical assistance

Contact person María de los Ángeles Dueñas External Cooperation National Commission for Micro and Small Businesses (503) 2121-1365 mduenas@conamype.gob.sv

Rafael Ortiz Manager of CDMYPE National Commission for Micro and Small Businesses (503) 2121-1333 ror tiz@conamype.gob.sv

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INSTITUTIONAL OVERVIEW:The current government of the Republic has targeted micro and small businesses as the beneficiaries of an ongoing development model because of their potential in generating employment and income for Salvadoran families. With this, the government seeks to unite, grow and include businesses and entrepreneurs in a roadmap that will:

Unite the micro and small businesses in economic association units, supporting them in their efforts toward organizing themselves into unions and production clusters.

Grow micro and small businesses through the creation of opportunities and a regulatory framework that will promote mechanism to improve the business environment, competitiveness and productivity of enterprises.

Include micro and small businesses in development processes of expansion into wider local, regional and international markets.

PUBLIC, PRIVATE AND ACADEMIA PARTNERSHIP FOR MSE PROMOTION THROUGH MICRO AND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS

The National Commission for Micro and Small Businesses (CONAMYPE) is promoting a new model of care on the basis of a public, private and academia partnership known as Model of Promotion through the Micro and Small Business Development Centers (CDMYPE).

The Micro and Small Business Development Centers are an adaptation of the SBDCs (Small Business Development Centers) in the United States. They provide spaces where the public and private sectors and academia converge to accompany businessmen and entrepreneurs and micro and small businesses through consultancies, technical assistance and training courses.

Thus, they enable micro and small businesses to become a source of opportunities for progress and drivers of the domestic market, generating more and better jobs.

The alliance is comprised of higher education institutions and/or non-profit institutions specializing in business development services, with which the National Commission for Micro and Small Businesses has signed agreements for the creation of and cooperation with CDMYPEs.

Specifically, the objectives of the model are:

Decentralization of business support servicesacross the country, through the CDMYPE created by the Public, Private and Academia Alliance

Contributing to the revitalization of local economies and the productive fabric, bringing business development services closer to micro and small businesses with growth potential throughout the country.

Currently ten CDMYPEs are in operation nationwide in the following departments: San Salvador (central, northern and southern areas), Morazán, Santa Ana, Sonsonate, Chalatenango, Cabañas, La Union and La Libertad.

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VIII. POWER GENERATIONAND SUPPLY

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Institution

LEMPA RIVER EXECUTIVE HYDROELECTRIC COMMITTEE

Area of work Power Generation and Supply

Website www.cel.gob.sv

Cooperation modalities Internships Training

Contact person Juan Carlos Guevara Jiménez Head of the Commercial Unit Lempa River Hydroelectric Executive Commission - CEL (503)22116160 jguevara@cel.gob.sv

Luis Ernesto Garcia Bonilla Manager of Investments and Renewable Energy Lempa River Hydroelectric Executive Commission - CEL (503)22116175 egarcia@cel.gob.sv

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INSTITUTIONAL OVERVIEW:

The Lempa River Executive Hydroelectric Commission (CEL) is an non-profit autonomous public service created on 3 October, 1945, by Executive Decree published in the Official Journal No. 139 of 8 October that same year. According to the Law by which it was created, issued by Legislative Decree No. 137 of 18 September, 1948, published in the Official Journal No. 210 of 27 September, 1948, its objective is to develop, maintain, manage and use energy sources and resources in El Salvador.

After 67 years, CEL continues to play a strategic role in providing the energy that moves the country, as it is through the rational utilization of natural resources that El Salvador can enjoy a timely and constant supply of energy while coping with the impact of fuel prices.

CEL focuses on the generation and sale of electricity as its main activity. As a state agency, CEL performs various functions associated with monitoring and maintenance of the Lempa River basin, developing new hydropower projects and research on alternative energy sources, expanding the country’s energy horizons, applying quality and social responsibility policies, surveying new sites and exploring alternative forms of energy such as solar and wind power.

CEL operates under an Integrated Management System model certified by international s tandards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001, making it a regional leader in this field of management.

CEL is committed to customer satisfaction, continuous improvement through the pursuit of the most effective and efficient processes, the conservation of natural resources, the prevention of occupational health and safety risks and the prevention of environmental pollution in the areas of influence of its facilities. It also strives for compliance with applicable legal requirements and others adopted with respect to product quality, protection of the environment, and occupational health and safety standards.

THE WHOLESALE ELECTRICITY MARKET IN EL SALVADOR

Operation of the Wholesale Electricity Market in El Salvador according to the Regulations of the Transmission System and Wholesale Market Based on Production Costs (ROBCP).

Hydrothermal system administration through the use of computer optimization models (SDDP and NCP) for management of reservoirs and minimizing system costs.

Calculation of firm capacity, recognized demand and firm capacity transaction balance.

Operation of Tariff-Transferable Long-Term Contracts, impact on market performance and energy prices.

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End-user power sales and trading through third-party distribution networks, calculation of deviations and application of tariff schedules, distribution agreements and procedures for changing supplier.

Regional Electricity Market and its interaction with the National Market.

CEL has served the Salvadoran electricity market for over 14 years, having gained experience in the operation of both price-based markets and production cost-based markets (the latter having entered into operation on 1 August, 2011, in El Salvador).

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IX. BANKING ANDFINANCIAL SERVICES

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Institution

CENTRAL RESERVE BANK OF EL SALVADOR

Area of work Banking and Financial Services.

Website www.bcr.gob.sv

Cooperation modalities Internship Internship in El Salvador

Contact person Xiomara Hurtado de García Department of Balance of Payments Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador (503) 2281-8075 xiom.hur tado@bcr.gob.sv

Evelyn Marisol Gracias Department of Financial System Standards Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador (503) 2281-8734 evelyn.gracias@bcr.gob.sv

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INSTITUTIONAL OVERVIEW:

The Central Reserve Bank’s (BCR) main responsibilities include contributing to the country having a secure, efficient and transparent financial system to support the sustainable growth of the economy, ensuring the smooth operation of payment systems in the country, and offering analyses, technical studies and research to foster better decisions on economic and financial matters, for the welfare of all Salvadorans, pursuant to the provisions of its Organic Law.

Thus, the BCR has a key role in the economic and financial field and a commitment to be a transparent, technically sound institution that maintains a long-term vision of the country focused on contributing to the economic stability of El Salvador.

SURVEY OF REMITTANCE SENDERSThe Department of the Balance of Payments conducts a survey of remittance senders residing in the United States, in order to increase awareness of this phenomenon, both for statistical and analytical reasons.

The survey has a clearly defined methodology that explores different factors related to remittances, especially in terms of measuring the percentage of family remittances flowing into the country in cash, in order to complement the information that comes from direct sources whose data are used to calculate the amount of monthly remittances.

It also affords a closer view of Salvadorans living in the United States by shedding light on their demographic characteristics, remittance-sending patterns, income from

their main job, occupation, ownership of or intention to own real estate, and circumstantial issues impacting the movement of such capital.

FINANCIAL SYSTEM SUPERVISORY AND REGULATORY LAW AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATORY FUNCTION

The development of a legal framework for the creation of a Financial Supervisory and Regulatory System aims to create a structure of checks and balances in public administration to implement supervisory, regulatory and appeals roles in the financial system. The legal framework thus developed incorporates techniques of modern administrative law and an international standards-based approach to financial matters.

The Financial System Supervisory and Regulatory Law integrates the Superintendency of Securities, the Superintendency of Pensions and the Superintendency of the Financial System (banking, insurance, and other financial entities) into a single body; it shifts regulatory function of the Financial System to the Central Reserve Bank El Salvador and creates the Appeals Committee of the Financial System.

The legal framework thus developed incorporates techniques of modern administrative law and an international standards-based approach to financial matters.

The shift of the financial system regulatory function from the superintendencies to the Central Reserve Bank involved the creation of an interagency transition team, the design of mechanisms formalizing interagency cooperation, computer support systems, etc.

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ANNEXES:PROJECT APPLICATION

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ACRONYMS

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BCR Central Reserve Bank of El SalvadorBAPA Buenos Aires Action PlanCAT “Tourist-Friendly” CentersCDMYPE Micro and Small Business Development CentersCDT Tourism Development CommitteesCEL Lempa River Executive Hydroelectric CommissionCELAC Community of Latin American and Caribbean StatesCEPA Autonomous Executive Port CommissionCEPAL Economic Commission for Latin AmericaCIFCC Interagency Committee on Climate Change FinanceCONAMYPE National Commission of Micro and Small BusinessesCORSATUR Salvadoran Tourism CorporationCSS South-South CooperationDC Consumer Protection AuthorityFISDL Social Investment Fund for Local DevelopmentFONDEPRO Production Development FundISDEMU Salvadoran Institute for the Advancement of WomenMAG Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock MARN Ministry of Environment and Natural ResourcesMH Ministry of Finance MIGOB Ministry of GovernanceMINEC Ministry of Economy MINED Ministry of Education MITUR Ministry of Tourism ofMRREE Ministry of Foreign RelationsOFCC Office for Climate Finance ManagementPNC National Civilian PoliceRNPN National Register of Natural PersonsSEGIB Ibero-American General SecretariatSELA Latin American and Caribbean Economic SystemSICDES Information System for Development Cooperation in El SalvadorSSTA Undersecretariat for Transparency and Anticorruption Affairs TCDC Technical Cooperation among Developing CountriesVMCD Vice-ministry for Development Cooperation

ACRONYMS

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