Articulated platform for territorial comprehensive sustainable development in Cuba

ARTICULATED PLATFORM FOR TERRITORIAL COMPREHENSIVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN CUBA.

MINCEX Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment Empowered lives.

Resilient nations.

UNDP United Nations Development Programme

1

ARTICULATED PLATFORM FOR TERRITORIAL COMPREHENSIVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN CUBA

PROJECT BACKGROUND Cuba has been implementing the Economic and Social Policy Guidelines of the Party and the Revolution, which provide the basis for updating the Cuban economic development model. The aim of this model is to emphasize economic revitalization in order to increase efficiency and competitiveness, make room for new management modalities, and empower territorial (municipal and local) governments.

Aprobado el 18 de abril de 2011 «Año 53 de la Revolución»

Guideline No. 112 stands out, ratifying the partnership with the United Nations System (UNS) to support the transformations in national priority areas. It highlights the need “to promote multilateral cooperation, especially with UNS agencies, so that Cuba can have access to financial resources and new technologies, in accordance with national development priorities.”

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), along with national and local actors, has gained considerable experience in local human development, thanks to the successful outcome of various programmes and projects, including the Local Human Development Programme (LHDP), the Joint MDG Programme to Support New Decentralization and Production Stimulus Initiatives, the Small Grants Programme (SGP) and, finally, the Project for Local Support of Agricultural Modernization (PALMA).

DECENTRALIZATION SUPPORT ACTIONS: As far as support for this process in Cuba is concerned, mention should be made of the Municipal Initiative for Local Development (IMDL) of the Ministry of Economy and Plan (MEP), and of the Comprehensive Development Programmes, an experience implemented in some municipalities where further horizontal development efforts are being made, incorporating national, provincial and municipal institutions and entities so that their actions are in line with the integrated approach to municipal development.

INTERNATIONAL UNDP CONTRIBUTION: The Global Strategic Plan for the 2014-2017 Period recognizes the role of governments in promoting comprehensive local development. UNDP “Communities of Practice” in the region can be very useful to share successful experiences, exchange expertise and, as a result, benefit this Framework Programme.

Likewise, the UNDP ART Initiative has made possible to acquire relevant experience in dealing with territorial development challenges, strengthening local government management, and bringing appropriate tools and methodologies. This initiative also builds an international network of partners, especially decentralized cooperation actors.

2

ARTICULATED PLATFORM FOR TERRITORIAL COMPREHENSIVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN CUBA

COUNTRY PROGRAMME The Country Programme Document (CPD) for 2014-2018, which is closely connected with the new UNDAF Programmatic Framework agreed upon between the country and UNS for this period, reflects UNDP working priorities.

THEMATIC AREAS • Population dynamics and quality, development and sustainability of social and cultural services.

• Sustainable economic development.

• Food and nutritional security.

• Environmental sustainability and disaster risk management.

3

ARTICULATED PLATFORM FOR TERRITORIAL COMPREHENSIVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN CUBA

COUNTRY PROGRAMME RELEVANT GOALS These goals will be achieved using both UNDP resources and those supplied by international cooperation partners, seeking to contribute to national development, particularly at the territorial level. CPD aims include:

Supporting dynamic, innovative economic processes and promoting development in key sectors.

Increasing the wellbeing of Cuban men and women on a sustainable basis.

Preserving social equity and promoting women’s empowerment.

Backing effective, efficient management by territorial governments.

Promoting environmentally sustainable practices, incorporating climate change impact and disaster risk management into economic and social development processes.

4

ARTICULATED PLATFORM FOR TERRITORIAL COMPREHENSIVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN CUBA

COUNTRY PROGRAMME EXPECTED OUTCOMES An intergenerational, territorial, gender-equality approach is applied to quality, sustainable social and cultural services.

Gender and generational population dynamics and territorial specificities are mainstreamed into development programmes.

Key productive sectors increase their productivity, efficiency and competitiveness, and integrate value chains to increase exports and reduce imports.

Local governments and other actors improve socio-economic and cultural development management, making special emphasis on young people and women.

1

2

3

4

Communities and key sectors develop and increase energy efficiency and use of renewable energy sources.

Food chains increase their efficiency and sustainability, applying an intergenerational and gender approach to favour the consumption of nutritionally appropriate food and reduce imports.

Production and service sectors incorporate environmental considerations into development plans, including those related to energy and climate change adaptation.

Local governments and key sectors enhance their disaster risk management capacity.

5

6

7

8

5

ARTICULATED PLATFORM FOR TERRITORIAL COMPREHENSIVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN CUBA

FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME The Framework Programme was agreed upon by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment (MINCEX) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in May 2014. This Programme will favour articulation between national, provincial and local government levels, empower local authorities to improve performance by comprehensive, sustainable development actors at the localterritorial level, and establish strategic partnerships and networks. The Programme also aims at expanding coordination between territories, introducing innovative approaches, promoting synergies with national policies, and helping to harmonize the actions of the international cooperation actors concerned.

OBJECTIVE Achieve gradual articulation between the following goals. Youth and gender issues will be addressed in a cross-cutting manner, as key aspects of local development.

MAIN GOALS ENHANCE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CAPACITIES AND ARTICULATION BETWEEN THE PROVINCIAL AND MUNICIPAL LEVELS.

PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

6

ARTICULATED PLATFORM FOR TERRITORIAL COMPREHENSIVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN CUBA

FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME LOCAL GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT

SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

In connection with local government management, emphasis will be made on:

In connection with sustainable economic development, emphasis will be made on:

• Enhancing technical and managerial capacities.

• Supporting dynamic sectors for economic development, applying a territorial approach.

• Promoting innovation and use of local management tools.

• Encouraging strategic partnerships between sectors, institutions and territories.

• Strengthening information management and decisionmaking processes applying participatory methodologies.

• Promoting the use of renewable energy sources and efficiency in local development processes.

• Encouraging agribusiness development on a competitive basis for food security.

• Boosting value chains and value-added processes.

• Backing the establishment and development of production and knowledge networks.

• Enhancing capacities for use of financial and economic tools that promote local development.

7

FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME RELEVANT ACTIONS UNDER THIS FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME: • Promote a local comprehensive approach to and incorporate innovation into municipal and/or provincial government articulation and management mechanisms, so that they can be aligned with national policies and strategies and help to boost decentralization processes underway.

• Strengthen relations between territories to scale up local development opportunities, implementing concerted strategies, maximizing common strengths and resources, intensifying the link between the local development agenda and programmes or projects implemented by national and/or international entities.

• Address the complex strategicoperational relations between local governments and production/service sectors (both state and nonstate) to establish a new type of horizontal articulation for local development.

• Intensify dialogue with international cooperation actors (decentralized, bilateral and multilateral) to promote innovation and experience-sharing under South-South cooperation and territorial triangulation actions.

Swiss Development Cooperation (COSUDE) has formally expressed its interest in contributing five million U.S. dollars to the Framework Programme.

Other international cooperation partners, such as the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD-Canada), have also shown interest in making contributions to this initiative of the Government of Cuba and UNDP.

ARTICULATED PLATFORM FOR TERRITORIAL COMPREHENSIVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN CUBA

8

ARTICULATED PLATFORM FOR TERRITORIAL COMPREHENSIVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN CUBA

FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME The Framework Programme will highlight key international cooperation values and interests, including: • Seizing the opportunity to apply the youth and gender approaches in a cross-cutting manner, and providing a platform to promote SouthSouth cooperation and innovation.

• Developing a Programme approach in order to increase relevance, impact and sustainability.

• Capitalizing on and transferring good practices from successful international cooperation projects and programmes. They will provide sound foundations for replication in other territories and by other actors.

The Framework Programme platform will make possible for international cooperation partners to join various local projects in key priority areas. The process of incorporating local actors into this Programme will consider innovative aspects that will help to meet current challenges and boost comprehensive local development.

Participation of international cooperation partners and scaling up of local projects in line with priorities previously set

FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME PROJECTS

TERRITORY 1

Cooperation Partners Cooperation Partners

Cooperation Partners

Cooperation Partners

TERRITORY N+1

TERRITORY 2

TERRITORY N

Cooperation Partners Cooperation Partners

9

ARTICULATED PLATFORM FOR TERRITORIAL COMPREHENSIVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN CUBA

FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS LEVEL 1: FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME COORDINATION

LEVEL 2: FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

The National Co-ordinating Committee (CNC) is the board where strategic assessments are made to appropriately link the Programme with institutional policies and frameworks in order to facilitate the implementation of projects and actions, and the discussion of SouthSouth cooperation and other international affairs. Co-chaired by MINCEX, the Committee will have representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Planning (MEP) and the Institute of Physical Planning (IPF). These institutions can make a significant contribution to the Framework Programme.

UNDP and MINCEX will provide follow-up to the Framework Programme under the actions below:

CNC may establish, if deemed appropriate, an Advisory Team to assist in addressing key issues for decision making. Its members will be selected on a case by case basis, depending on the matters to be discussed.

Strategic coordination - links with national institutional policies and frameworks and global development commitments

• Overseeing Programme implementation.

• Following-up projects and initiatives locally adopted and cross-cutting issues previously identified.

• Guaranteeing local and thematic information collection and consolidation under the Programme.

• Identifying lessons learned to ensure compliance with standards and procedures under the implementation modality agreed upon.

• Supporting accountability processes for Programme partners, including the results obtained and the use made of the resources supplied.

NATIONAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE (CNC)

TECHNICAL SECRETARIAT

ADVISORY TEAM

10

ARTICULATED PLATFORM FOR TERRITORIAL COMPREHENSIVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN CUBA

FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME CNC RESPONSIBILITIES • Exchanging views on Programme priorities and formulating recommendations in connection with local coverage and other issues.

• Promoting financial resource mobilization and making recommendations over allocations to territories and thematic areas.

• Striving to ensure that Framework Programme results are in line with national policies and the global development agenda.

• Reviewing impacts, results and risks in connection with Programme sustainability.

• Promoting the dissemination of lessons learnt and good practices, and boosting South-South and triangular cooperation actions.

The Advisory Team might be asked by the CNC to conduct substantive analysis over major technical issues and submit technical recommendations to enhance the results of the Framework Programme at the local level.

The signatories of this Framework Programme are MINCEX (the Government entity in charge of international cooperation) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). They agree to make joint efforts to implement this Programme during the next country programming cycle (2014-2018).

In witness whereof, the parties sign this document on the 22nd day of the month of May, 2014.

MINCEX Ileana Núñez Deputy Minister

UNDP Claudio Tomasi Resident Representative ad interim

MINCEX Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment

Empowered lives.

Resilient nations.

Calle 18 No. 110 e/ 1ra y 3ra, Playa, La Habana, Cuba.

Tel: (537) 2041513 registry.cu@undp.org www.undp.org.cu

UNDP United Nations Development Programme