About FEMCIDI

Established in 1997, the Special Multilateral Fund of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (FEMCIDI) provides financing for development projects carried out in the Organization's Member States as stated by the non reimbursable cooperation principle.

FEMCIDI's main goal is to support all member states in their efforts to reduce poverty, and inequity, to provide equality of opportunities and to eradicate extreme poverty through capacity building of human resources and strengthening of institutions

FEMCIDI is made up of annual voluntary contributions by OAS member states averaging about $8 million per year. Since its creation in 1997, the fund has provided over $94 million in funding to more than 900 projects.
(In 1997, the projects were financed by the Transition Special Fund.)

What are FEMCIDI's annual resources for programming?
The Fund depends on the voluntary contributions of the member states, which may vary; in recent years the annual figure has been about US$ 8 million.

How are projects presented to FEMCIDI?
•  The first stage in the process is to present a project concept, which describes the objective, methodology, and ability to meet the objective; the contribution to be made by the project towards regional or national development; and the approximate amount required to finance the project. The deadline for presenting the project concepts is July 31 st .
•  Once all concepts have been submitted by the member states, the proponents of the most promising concepts will be asked to present complete proposals.
•  During this second stage of the programming cycle, interactive consultations will take place between the proponents of the projects and FEMCIDI in order to improve the quality of the project, as well as apply the best practices and the expertise of other national and international organizations.
•  The third and last stage will consist of a technical evaluation of each project proposal by the Non- permanent Specialized Committees (CENPES), which are composed of specialists elected each year to comply with this function.

What are the priority areas for project financing?
The Strategic Plan for Partnership for Development 2006-2009, establishes eight priority areas of action, which aim at achieving an innovative impact on the development of the countries in the region.

• Social Development and Creation of Productive Employment
• Education
• Economic Diversification and Integration, Trade Liberalization and Market Access
• Scientific Development, and Exchange and Transfer of Technology
• Strengthening of Democratic Institutions
• Sustainable Development of Tourism
• Sustainable Development and Environment
• Culture

The concepts must fall within one or more of the delineated areas. Any concept which does not comply with this prerequisite will automatically be rejected.

The projects submitted to FEMCIDI should directly relate to the most important development needs of the country or region, and should incorporate in their formulation, implementation, and evaluation, where possible, the following:

• Civil society participation;
• Environmental considerations;
• The development of human resources; and
• Gender equality and equity

The activities financed by FEMCIDI should also include strategies for co-financing, self-sustainability, and mobilization of external resources.

Who may present project proposals to FEMCIDI?
•  Institutions of the member states. Institutions are defined as legally constituted entities of the public sector and not for profit private entities.
•  Institutions who wish to present projects should contact their respective National Liaison Office (ONE) . The ONE will inform them if their country has contributed to FEMCIDI for the current year and will delineate the ONE's internal procedures for providing official support to the proposal. The ONE will also provide information regarding the mechanisms and stages needed to formulate project proposals.
•  The ONE will send the project concepts to the Permanent Mission of the country to the OAS, to be forwarded to FEMCIDI.
•  FEMCIDI will not accept any project concept that has not been sent through the Permanent Mission of the OAS or through the channels officially designated by the respective member state for this purpose.

What types of projects are financed?
Two types of projects are financed with FEMCIDI resources: national and multinational projects.
•  A national project is classified as one in which only the country proposing the project may participate.
•  Multinational projects are those that include the participation of at least three countries.
•  Border development projects however may include only two countries and still be classified as multinational projects.

What is the duration of the projects?
•  Projects may have a multi-year duration (4 year maximum), and will be approved for the length of time needed to meet their development objectives.
•  Proposals for multi-year projects should clearly specify the time needed to meet their development objectives as the projects will not be renewable
•  Annual budgetary appropriations will be authorized based on the detailed follow-up of the projects' achievements from previously determined points of reference.

What is the maximum amount of resources that can be requested for financing a project?
Up to US$ 500,000 per year.

What types of projects or expenses are not financed by FEMCIDI?

• One time events with no follow-up activity;
• Commercial initiatives on the part of a single firm to secure a contract;
• Financing of OAS career staff, consultants hired by the OAS, overhead and general support services of the OAS, or activities financed by the Regular Fund of the OAS;
• Financing for public sector employees or overhead and general support services in public sector institutions;
• Financing for temporary or contracted personnel beyond the time limits specified by the activity or beyond eleven months,
• Funding for construction;

Where can I find additional information regarding FEMCIDI projects ?
The Offices of the OAS General Secretariat in the member states can provide additional information regarding the programming cycle of FEMCIDI projects.

You may also contact FEMCIDI directly:

Isabel Zuluaga
Izuluaga@oas.org

FEMCIDI regional coordinators are:

Central America, Dominican Republic and Mexico:
Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama
Contact: Santiago Noboa

South America
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela
Contact: Monica Gomez

Caribbean and English Speaking Countries
Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago
Contact: Jane Mohan

Haiti and the United States
Contact: Catherine Pognat