World University Service of Canada

Objet publié

This project aims to improve the social and economic well-being of communities living where there are extractive activities. The project provides resources to regional and municipal governments and their communities to improve their ability to identify, plan and manage projects that contribute to local development. This project also supports partnerships that bring together governments, communities, civil society organizations and private sector companies to support local development. This project is part of the Andean Regional Initiative – Promoting Effective Partnerships for Local Development, which also works in Bolivia and Colombia. This project has three components:(i) institutional capacity building to help local governments plan, manage and implement sustainable development investments and associated public services based on community needs; (ii) knowledge sharing to develop and share knowledge on corporate social responsibility methods, results, lessons learned and best practices; and (iii) setting up Local Funds that support local initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable community development in partnership with the private sector/extractive companies. To date there are seven (7) local development sub-projects being implemented through the Local Fund in Peru: (1) Promoting Local Economic Development with Transparency and Dialogue Between Communities, Local Governments and the Mining Company, implemented by CARE, with a total budget of $1,556,258 over 2.5 years (including Canada’s contribution of $981,496 and other financial contributions: Barrick Gold $453,874; CARE $71,441; Agrorural $49,447). This sub-project aims to improve the income of about 8,250 people from 2,000 families in 20 communities located in three provinces of the La Libertad region in Northern Peru. It supports the agricultural and livestock farming sectors while building local institutions’ abilities to promote and transparently manage related public investments. (2) Promotion of Youth Entrepreneurship and Employability in Southern Lima, implemented by World University Services of Canada, with a total budget of $1,435,945 over 2.5 years (including Canada’s contribution of $999,975 and other financial contributions: Cementos Lima $368,234; WUSC $64,736). This sub-project aims to improve the economic status and living conditions of 650 youth and their families (reaching about 2,600 beneficiaries) from five impoverished districts in Southern Lima. It seeks to offer youth greater access to quality technical and vocational training in order to integrate them into the formal labour market, and building entrepreneurial skills and promote the creation of youth businesses. (3) Promoting a New Forestry Development Model with Local Governments and Communities in the Provinces of Huari and Bolognesi, implemented by SOCODEVI, with a total budget of $733,693 over two years (including Canada’s contribution of $349,962 and other financial contributions: Antamina $352,930; SOCODEVI $30,800). This sub-project aims to improve the economic situation of 905 families (approximately 3,548 beneficiaries) by supporting the development and implementation of a new forestry development model in the provinces of Huari and Bolognesi in the Ancash region. It helps communities to implement forestry projects and strengthens the capacities of local governments to develop and implement a forestry development plan. (4) Strengthening capacities of Small and Medium Size Entreprises (SMEs) in the province of Sechura, implemented by IPAE, with a total budget of $582,352 over three years (including Canada’s contribution of $407,647 and other financial contributions: Miski Mayo Vale $175,634). This sub-project aims to improve the livelihoods of 2,000 members of the Sechura’s community by fostering and strengthening the entrepreneurial skills of 540 small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners. It seeks to improve business and entrepreneurial skills, enhance market practices, and improve institutional support available for SMEs. (5) Contribution to local and inclusive economic development in the Province of Chota implemented by SOCODEVI, with a total budget of $2,000,068 over three years (including Canada’s contribution of $987,659 and other financial contributions: Rio Tinto and other partners: $ 1,012,409). This sub-project aims to increase the income of 1,268 families from three districts in the region of Cajamarca, and indirectly benefits another 2,677 families. It strengthens the efficiency, productivity and access to markets of local cooperatives working in three value chains: livestock farming, coffee and forestry. It also strengthens the capacity of 17 local institutions involved in those specific economic sectors. (6) Strengthening SMEs’ access to markets in urban and rural areas in the Apurimac region implemented by IPAE, with a total budget of $800,747 over three years (including Canada’s contribution of $481,547 and other financial contributions: Xstrata and other partners:$ 319,210). This sub-project aims to improve economic opportunities for 300 small and medium enterprise owners and 180 local producers from seven districts in the region of Apurimac. The initiative improves their productivity and business management skills, and facilitates their access to larger regional markets. The sub-project also works with local public institutions to promote a better business environment. Up to 3,900 individuals are also indirectly benefitting from this sub-project. (7) Consolidating the socioeconomic development of textile workers in Santiago de Chuco and Otuzco implemented by ADEX, with a total budget of $1,327,347 over three years (including Canada’s contribution of $942,416 and other financial contributions: Barrick Gold and other partners: $384,930). This sub-project aims to improve the living conditions of 200 textile workers and their families living in Barrick’s zone of influence (La Libertad). It improves the textile workers’ business skills and organizational efficiency, makes their products more competitive and helps them to gain access to new national and international markets. This initiative indirectly benefits 5,000 individuals.