1. THE TRUST FOR THE AMERICAS
February 2009

2. The Trust for the Americas
VISION
To serve as a key strategic partner for the OAS in supporting initiatives of particular interest to the Secretariat and the Member States
MISSION
Build capacity of individuals and Civil Society Organizations in the Hemisphere
1. Solidify the current Institutional Capacity Building Programs in the areas of technology training, access to information and freedom of expression, human rights and labor compliance. This includes maintaining an excellent track of implementation with existing donors within the countries in which the Trust is established, and negotiating additional contributions from those donors.
2. Increase the number of individuals reached through the expansion of existing Human Capacity Building programs such as POETA, journalists training and peace and reconciliation. This by virtue of negotiating additional funding from existing donors, and by engaging other stakeholders such as media, private sector, local governments and other CSOs to provide enhanced services to our beneficiaries.
3. Implement capacity building projects in special areas of interest such of the Secretary General, such as Afro descendants, support to policy reforms and economic development.
4. Obtain the support of new non-traditional donors for existing Capacity Building Projects (Human and Institutional). New donors could, include, among others, the Millenium Challenge Corporation, the Inter American Development Bank, the Government of Colombia, and private sector contributors.

3. Trust as an affiliate of the OAS
Cooperative Agreement between the Trust and the GS/OAS signed on September 30, 1998
Senior OAS officials as Board Members
Projects approved by PEC
Participate in Resource Mobilization Committee

4. Support for OAS Institutional Objectives
Marketing/Liaison for OAS Technical Offices
Increasing private sector participation in OAS initiatives
Implementing programs complementary to OAS Initiatives
Developing Strategic partnerships for the OAS
Supporting ICR Policy through new fee agreement.

5. Marketing /Liaison for OAS Technical Offices
Our Approach:
Design, develop and market proposals
Assist in implementation of joint projects
Involve OAS units in Trust projects via technical assistance
Current Intra-OAS Collaborative Relationships
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
Office of the Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression
Unit for Promotion of Democracy
Office for the Prevention and Resolution of Conflicts
SEDI
i.e.
Promoting a Culture of Compliance: Awareness, Capacity Building and Advocacy in CAFTA-DR Countries in cooperation with the Department of Social Development and Employment
Reconciliation Program in Colombia in cooperation with the Department of Crisis Prevention and Special Missions

6. Increasing Private Sector Investment in OAS initiatives
Building Private Sector Board
Fundraising with Private Sector in Mexico and Colombia
Private Sector Signature Programs:
e.g. POETA
POETA
Hemispheric technology and job training program (PWD). By the end of 2008 – 64 centers in18 countries
Multiple private sector donors

7. Implementing programs complementary to OAS Initiatives
Activities to support the Peace Process in Colombia
Cross reference with Cultural Affairs:
“Arte, Cultura y A Entendernos” –USAID Financing
Job Training Placement for at Risk Youth
Cross Reference: Colombia/Guatemala: Use of arts and cultural activities with Children to promote values.
Promotion of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression with Civil Society
Promotion of Labor Rights in CAFTA Countries
Under Peace Building: Galan and Plan V
Demobilization: Galan, Canada

8. Developing Strategic partnerships for the OAS
Promoting alliances with Inter-American Development Bank – IDB
Serve as vehicle to channel funding to OAS units using 501 (C) (3) Status
Trust does not compete rather expand the possibilities of funding for OAS. *

9. Sources of Funding 2008

10. Programs by Geographic Region 2008

11. Cash Contributions Over Time*
* Forecast based on firm commitments from donors

12. Current Major Projects Institutional Capacity Building
Program
Region /Country
Program Value
Outreach
Promoting a Culture of Compliance: Awareness, Capacity Building and Advocacy
CAFTA-DR Countries
$2.0 million cash funding from - US State Department
250 union leaders trained in labor rights.
300 bussines leaders trained in labor rights
250 NGO and journalists trained in labor rights
Human Rights: Strengthening of Social Organizations and NGOs
Colombia
$1.5 million cash funding from - USAID
Capacity building for 120 NGOs and community based organizations
Journalist Training - Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Central America
Central America
$640K – U.S. State Department Canadian Cooperation Agency –CIDA- through OAS/ SEDI
+500 journalists trained in C.A.
More than 15 NGOs strengthened

13. Current Major Projects Individual Capacity Building
Program
Region /Country
Program Value
Outreach
POETA- Partnerships in Opportunities for Employments through Technology
Latin America & The Caribbean
$6.8 million with 6.1 million in cash & In-kind from Microsoft (main contributor)
+10,000 direct beneficiaries (PwDs, at risk youth)
64 Training centers in 18 countries
MIF Cooperation Strengthening POETA - Job placement component
Mexico, Ecuador, El Salvador & Peru
$4 million cash contribution from the Multilateral Investment Fund and Microsoft
16,200 beneficiaries to be trained
9 new technology centers
Jobs for at least 2,000 participants
Capacity Building for Demobilized communities / Affected by the Peace Process in Colombia
Colombia
$1.5million – contribution from , USAID, Microsoft and the Colombian Government (High Commissioner for Reinsertion)
100 individuals trained in peace and reconciliation
2 technology centers for demobilized (4 projected in 2008)
30 journalists trained in reconciliation

14. Challenges Increase contributions from current donor base
Find creative ways to attract new strategic partners to Trust/OAS projects such as IDB, MCC, which reimburse only a portion of indirect costs
Increase the number of OAS units that receive external funding through the Trust
Worldwide Financial Crisis