Imbalances, polarisation and spatial inequality are elements tied to Uruguay’s historical development of the economic-productive and social base, together with the strong centralist tradition that has characterised the Uruguayan State. Despite the sectoral public policies and major initiatives on decentralisation and local development the national government has implemented, significant regional disparities remain. The low population density that characterises the country, internal migration, territorial concentration and the process of poverty infantilisation, challenges the generation of policies for human and social capital in the medium and long term.

To avoid this, one of the main action lines is the articulation of national and local strategies within the local development and decentralisation framework, pointing to the territorialisation of the MDGs in each of the country’s departments. The Local Development Programme ART Uruguay (ART LDP), present in the country since early 2006, is conceived as a strategy and action articulating framework to collaborate in solving this problem.

Looking to address regional economic, social and demographic disparities within the country, the LDP ART Uruguay has coordinated with the national government priorities the implementation of its actions, first in the pilot departments of Rivera and Artigas, and later, at the request of departmental governments, expanded its territorial coverage to 16 out of the 19 departments. The ART LDP groups agencies of the United Nations System (UNS), the international cooperation, national, departmental and local authorities, civil society organisations, the private sector and academia, with the aim of promoting local development projects led by local communities.

Resource Mobilization and Execution

At the local level, the Programme’s main objectives are to improve local capacities to respond to the population needs, through broad participation methods and with a programmatic and strategic dimension, as well as with the articulation of actions and strategies for development in the territory, and in doing so integrating stakeholders at the local, departmental and national levels. These objectives were implemented in 2009 by supporting the activities undertaken by the Departmental (DWGs) and Local (LWGs) Working Groups, which represents the mechanism for inter-sectoral coordination and articulation with departmental and national development plans. Thanks to the programme, multi-sectoral coordination has been strengthened in each territory, and this latter point is particularly relevant to the upcoming transition for the national and departmental governments.

Currently, there are 19 DWGs and LWGs in 12 departments: 2 in Artigas 2, 3 in Rivera, 2 in Montevideo, 2 in Treinta y Tres and 1 in the Departments of Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Florida, Paysandu, Rocha and Salto. There are also 3 LWGs linked to the Territorial Climate Change pilot project in Canelones, Montevideo and San Jose. The Programme has supported the development agencies of the departments of Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Florida, Paysandu, Rio Black, Rivera, Tacuarembo and Canelones (being formed) and the creation of the National Network of Local Development Agencies.

In all the WGs formed prior to 2009, the local programming cycle was finalised and the strategic lines for local or departmental development defined; in those recently established WGs, this cycle is being started. In Rivera, Artigas and Cerro Largo territorial agreements or pacts have been signed with a high participation rate from local actors for the definition of the departmental strategic lines. All WGs have received training in planning and management: project management at local level (providing tools for the definition of strategic lines), management, evaluation and systematisation. Actions responding to a strategic logic and programming have been identified, establishing in each case territorial agreements with local government support and within a broad citizen participation framework. A total of 63 GT promoted local projects and implemented by local institutions are at the design or implementation stage.

Innovative methodologies encouraging analysis, programming and systematic management of the various territorial component have been applies, thereby contributing with a series of studies and publications on promising economic and social resources for sustainable development and updating of the Regional Competitiveness Index . Publications contributing to decentralisation topics and environmental problems at the local level have also been produced.

Department of Artigas

► Dairy basin, city of Artigas and surroundings (Artigas Dairy Cooperative-COLEAR). ► Expansion of the dairy production project (COLEAR; Lodi Province). ► Production improvement and evaluation of the installation of an Industrialising Plant (COLEAR). ► Apiculture (Civil Association Beekeeping Group). ► Horticultures from Chacras del Pintado (Neighbours’ Association from Chacras del Pintado Farms-AVCHP). ► Museum-Virtual Library (OSC Andresito de las Flores). ► Samba Carnival (Federation of Schools of Samba-FEDESA). ► Carnival (Departmental Government of Artigas).

Department of Bella Union

►Orchard Cañeros ALUR Bella Union 1 and 2 (ALUR). ► Feasibility study for a dairy basin. ► Clean City (Commercial and Industrial Centre of Bella Union - CECOIMBU). ► Tourism - Spa Los Pinos (Local Board, Gropuip for the Active Environmental Protection of Bella Union - GRUPAMA). ► Tourism - Rincón de Franquía (GRUPAMA). ► Community gardens in Tomás Gomensoro and Baltasar Brum (Logros Foundation).

Department of Canelones

► Canelones Grows With You (Departmental Government of Canelones). ► Slow Food (Cooperative Social Commitment). ► Wine Development Project (Departmental Governments of Canelones and Rivera; Uruguay’s National Institute of Viticulture – INAVI; Uruguay’s Work-UTU; Uruguay’s Association of Winemakers).

Department of Cerro Largo

► Horticulture (Agricultural Society of Cerro Largo.) ► Dairy (Melo’s Dairy Cooperative - COLEME). ► Regional Cultural Centre (Commercial and Industrial Centre). ► Planning and Development Management Tools (Departmental Government of Cerro Largo). ► Strengthening of wool productive enterprises by weaving women of Cerro Largo and Treinta y Tres (Association of Rural Women - AMRU). ► Education and social inclusion of children, adolescents and youth.

Department of Colonia

► Comprehensive local development action in Calera de las Huérfanas.

Department of Florida

► Creation and implementation of the Local Development Agency (Departmental Government of Florida). ► Clean Field (Florida’s Rural Association /and Society of Milk Producers - ARF / SPFL).

Department of Montevideo

► Assessment of the Participatory Budgeting (Municipal Government of Montevideo). ► Economic Development Plan for the Zone 8 Communal Centre (Municipality Government of Montevideo). ► Clean Circuits and Social Responsibility (Business Commitment for Recycling Association - CEMPRE). ► Computer Classroom (Municipal Government of Montevideo).

Department of Paysandu

► Market Arcade (Departmental Government of Paysandu). ► Young Neighbourhood Mobilisers (Departmental Government of Paysandu). ► Participatory Budget (Departmental Government of Paysandu). ► Sustainable management of artisanal fisheries (Productive Development Agency Civil Association). ► Strengthening of the Development Agency (Departmental Government of Paysandu). ► Deepening of the Rincón de Pérez co-management process (SGP-PPD; Implementation Unit of Rincón de Pérez).

Department of Río Negro

► Territorial Marketing (Agency for Economic Promotion of Rio Negro).

Department of Rivera

► Ladrilleros. ► Carnival. ► Honey extraction facilities (Rivera’s Beekeepers Departmental Association - ADAR). ► Sewing workshop in La Calera (ADESAR Regional Development Agency). ► Creation and implementation of a Local Development Agency (Departmental Government of Rivera). ► Art and Memory (NGO Grupo Descubrir ). ► Integration of Local economic development organisations. ► Productive Integration (Development Agency). ► Wine Development Project (Departmental Governments of Canelones and Rivera; Uruguay’s National Institute of Viticulture – INAVI; Uruguay’s Work University -UTU; Uruguay’s Association of Winemakers). ► organic orchards in Villa Sonia.

Department of Rocha

► Cabo Polonio and coastal area territorial management (Departmental Government of Rocha; National System of Protected Areas - SNAP). ► Cabo Polonio and coastal area’s management (SNAP; Deputation of Huelva). ► Local Agenda 21 based sustainable development in Cebollatí and La Charqueada (Departmental Governments of Rocha and Treinta y Tres).

Department of Salto

► Development of MSMEs (Departmental Government of Salto). ► Ruralanas Roral Weavers (Gastesi Martinicorena Foundation). ► A Leap for All Programme (Uruguay INTEGRA Programme; OPP; Ministry of Social Development; IMS; MVOTMA). ► Beekeeping (Association of Beekeepers). ► Lavalleja Colony (Ministry of Education and Culture). ► Biodiversity (FAMSI).

Department of Tacuarembó

► Producing protein and contributing to the Earth (Programme of Small Donations; Río Negro Institute - Centre for Local, Rural and Aquacultural Development - INDRA). ► Consolidation of Tacuarembó’s Development Agency (Tacuarembó Business Association - ASEMT).

Department of Treinta y Tres

► Pigs and birds (Departmental Government of Treinta y Tres). ► Local Agenda 21 based sustainable development in Cebollatí and La Charqueada (Departmental Government of TT). ► Strengthening of wool productive enterprises by weaving women of Cerro Largo and Treinta y Tres (executed by the Association of Rural Women - AMRU), General coordination and marketing consulting. ► Training Agenda (Municipal Government of TT).

Results and Activities at the National Level

Ownership

The Programme’s action basis at the national level is the coordination of national with local initiatives, trying to channel the resources of the international cooperation toward the Departments. Throughout 2009, the programme has achieved a significant consolidation in terms of territorial expansion across the country, as well as the fortification of its working methods, substantially improving the national and local governments’ perception of the approach as worthy of being supported and enhanced. Equally, the coordination with programmes of the Presidency’s Planning and Budget Office (OPP) has been braced, through the establishment of agreements with its relevant areas.

During this period, significant progress has been made in supporting the decentralisation process devised by the Government. In this sense, important actions have been developed to support the adoption of the Decentralisation Law, such as the organisation of the series "Dialogues on Decentralisation” and the implementation of advocacy initiatives in areas related to the political system for the elaboration of a local development agenda (training, round table discussions with relevant stakeholders, exchanges with other countries' experiences and publications, among others).

Training and Capacity Building

► Co-organisation of various seminars and workshops on local economic development, innovation, etc. along with the Congress of Governors (CI). Ongoing implementation of the project "Institutional and Managerial Improvement of Uruguay’s Congress of Governors” (Deputation of Barcelona). ► Carrying out of the second edition of the specialisation course on local development, whose theme was "Local Development, Decentralisation and Cross-Border Integration" (Local Development Institute of the Catholic University of Uruguay’ University of the Republic; HEGOA Foundation). ► Implementation of seven training and consolidation workshops on ART’s methodology with the Programme’s local References from across the country.

Formalisation of Agreements

►Establishment of 6 Framework Agreements with public and private institutions: Uruguay’s Technological Laboratory; Municipal Development Unit and OPP’s Development Project Directorate; Autonomous City of Melilla (Spain); Municipality of Vitoria Gasteiz; Basque Country; Private Sector Support Unit of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. ► Signature of 50 micro-capital grant agreements with institutions responsible for implementing projects under the ART LDP. ► Signature of 12 Letters of Agreement with the Catholic University of Uruguay; the Latin American Centre of Human Economics; Organisation DESEM; ETEA Foundation; Government of Paysandu; Association of Rural Women, among others. ► Establishment and implementation of various agreements with national counterparts to develop joint actions at the local level. ► Support to the projects partners submitted by the Governments of Salto, Florida and Canelones to Uruguay INTEGRA (European Union; OPP).

Joint Actions with other Agencies

► UNIFEM and UNFPA: conducting a training session with the Programme’s local references on gender and local development; participation in specialised courses on local development and support to the design of local proposals on gender issues. ► UNEP: implementation of mini GEO in Rivera and development of arrangements for its implementation in Caramelo and Rosario (Colonia); carrying out of a training session with the Programme’s local references on the environment; design and implementation of the Poverty and Environment Project; publication of promotional material for discussion and participation at the event "Uruguay 2009. Environment: Challenge and Public Policies."; coordination and articulation with the Programme on Small Grants for the Environment. ► UNICEF: organisation of meetings for the exchange of programming and local level joint work strategies. ► UN - Delivering as One: carrying out of a joint conference with relevant actors from the One UN to strengthen the decentralisation process.

Climate Change and the Environment

► Formation of a working team with the Governments conforming the Metropolitan Region and recollection of important statistical and geographical information. ► Development of training activities at the local and international level on: climate change generalities, international negotiations, adaptation, mitigation, local development and participatory work methodology. ► Establishment of an inter-institutional promotional Framework Agreement for climate change planning. ► In the process of forming working groups on climate change in the three Departments. ► Coordination of activities in the frameworks of the Metropolitan Agenda Programme (OPP; Municipal Governments of Montevideo, Canelones and San Jose). ► Articulation with decentralised cooperation actors: Malaga, Huelva, Bilbao, Brest and Montevideo. Evaluation of possible agreements with the Basque Country, Deputation of Barcelona and Generalitat de Catalonia. ► Participation in the events of Tanger, Barcelona, Saint-Malo and Poznan and Copenhagen (December 2009).

Communication Strategies

► Development of a communication strategy for greater Programme visibility: creation of the website, updating of its institutional brochure and elaboration of an institutional project portfolio. ► Making of documentary videos and creation of a project photo bank: Rivera’s Development Agency; Ruralanas Rural weavers; Carnival of Artigas and Canelones Grows with You. ► Publication of two volumes of the series Local Development Notebooks series “Dialogues for Decentralisation”: "New local governments: new institutionalism and its impact on local development" and "Political and Citizenry Decentralisation: challenges, potentialities, the law project law and its parliamentary debate." ► Development of 10 departmental socioeconomic and environmental reports and decentralisation books (UNEP). ► Creation of promotional material for discussion and participation at the event "Uruguay 2009. Environment: Challenge and Public Policies." ► Media coverage of activities undertaken by the Programme or where members of ART participated.

Local Economic Development

► Organisation of the workshop "Exchange Meeting. Large investments and territorial development” along the development agencies in the country. ► Development of exchange and articulation activities with the agencies in Rivera, Florida, Tacuarembó, Río Negro, Canelones and Tacuarembó. ► Technical Assistance to the agencies in Rivera, Florida, Tacuarembó and Río Negro. ► Formation of the Network of Uruguay’s Development Agencies (July 2009). ► Elaboration of a systematisation document for the country’s Development Agencies. ► Organisation of a meeting for agencies from all across the country. ► Coordination with the Private Sector Unit Support of the Ministry of Economy and Finance to develop actions in Dolores, Rivera, Tacuarembó and Flores. ► Design and implementation of local projects within the framework of the agencies in Rivera, Tacuarembó, Florida and Río Negro.

Results and Activities at the International

Level

At the international level, the Programme shows a sharp increase not only in terms of resource mobilisation, which has allowed its significant territorial enlargement and the expansion of its support to building and strengthening capacity, but also with regards to the presence of the decentralised cooperation, articulated with the undergoing development processes in the territories, which permits to reach a higher impact.

Throughout 2009, it was sought to promote and strengthen the development potential of Uruguay’s Departments and Municipalities, taking advantage of opportunities posed by the international cooperation, and economic and social actors of the decentralised and South-South cooperation.

Local Economic Development

► Strengthening of the country’s Development Agencies with technical assistance from Argentina (Development Agency of the Centre of the Province of Santa Fe) and Spain (ETEA Foundation). ► Participation in the meetings organised by development agencies in Colombia, Argentina and El Salvador. ► Co-organisation with the ILO of the Seminar on "Active Employment Policies and Local Economic Development in Uruguay." ► Creation and strengthening of the National Network of Local Development Agencies and participation in the Framework Network of Latin American Agencies. ► Organisation of a course in a regional MERCOSUR meeting (March 2010) on Local Development Agencies, with the participation of Argentina, Chile, Brazil and Uruguay.

Innovation Identification and Exchange

► Carrying out of the Second International Seminar "The leadership of ideas." Fair on Innovation Knowledge, Territory and Local Development Networks (Chamber of Industry of Uruguay; Latin American Centre for Human Economy; Governments of Canelones and Montevideo, Uruguay's Technological Laboratory; OPP; Congress of Governors; Ministry of Social Development). ►Running of the First National Contest on Innovation for Human and Local Development. 67 proposals, and 4 prizes and 14 honorific mentions awarded. ► Support for the organisation of the Specialisation Course in Local Development, Decentralisation and Cross-border Integration (Department of Salto; Institute of Regional and Local Development of the Catholic University; University of the Republic; HEGOA).

Training and capacity building

►Participation in the course "Work Methodology within the framework of the ART Initiative" held in Seville (July 2009). ► The Referent from Salto participated in the "Specialist in local development and multilateral cooperation for Latin America and the Caribbean" course held in Seville.

South-South Cooperation

► Development of the “ART Uruguay South-South Cooperation Register “on actions with Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador and Peru. ► Carrying out of the Regional Workshop "Territorialisation of the Millennium Development Goals and South –South Cooperation " that allowed to create a space for exchange and discussion of experiences on territorialisation of the MDGs in LA within the ART Framework Programmes, discuss a strategy for South-South cooperation and develop courses of action for 2010 -2011.The event was attended by the MDGs’ focal points in the UNDP offices, UNDP’s Regional Centre in Panama, ART Referents and representatives of specialised government cooperation agencies from Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic and Uruguay.

Knowledge sharing

► 46 technical missions were carried out: 19 missions visited Uruguay and 27 missions in which Uruguayan local actors, the central and local governments and technical teams went to other countries. Out of these visits, agreements on resource mobilisation were settled upon, new joint initiatives were established, and spaces for mutual learning and exchange of experiences and technical assistance were generated.

Programme's Challenges for 2010

The year 2010 corresponds to a time of major policy challenges for the Programme given that as a new National Government will assume the country’s presidency, which will involve the active increase of the Programme’s participation in the government’s transition and in establishing solid foundations. In the same context, elections for departmental governments and the first municipal lections will take place in May, which will require a new approach to the newly elected authorities.

The ART LDP will accompany and actively support the government transition at the local level, laying down the work basis for the next five years, and will also collaborate with them in defining the territorial strategic lines, certainly assuming the management of all ongoing projects and of the still numerous open work lines.

Contacts

Ms. Susan McDade, UN Resident Coordinator, UNDP Resident Representative: susan.mcdade@undp.org

Mr. Antonio Malpaceres, UNDP Country Director:  Antonio.malpeceres@undp.org

Mr. Enrique Gallicchio, PDL ART Coordinator enrique.gallicchio@undp.orgwww.arturuguay.org