Lessons Learned from Triangular Cooperation between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean

Brussells
,
Belgium
|
September 03, 2020

It is my pleasure to introduce the publication of the document for the systematisation of the ADELANTE Programme, which systematises its first phase of execution, covering the period between 2016 and 2020.

In these four years, the ADELANTE Programme has been a joint effort between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean to work in a different and innovative way. It has enabled us to pool together our diverse experiences and varying capacities to achieve more significant impact and redefine the connection that unites both regions, responding effectively to the new development challenges facing the Latin American region.

The systematisation has been carried out to collect, analyse and share the learning derived from this joint effort. The experiences gathered are the result of the implementation of the eight Triangular Cooperation projects co-financed by the Programme, which have been characterised by addressing different thematic areas, taking place in several countries, having all kinds of actors and using different action strategies.

However, ADELANTE has covered many other important areas of work during these past four years: a reflection on the added value of Triangular Cooperation as a development modality, an analysis on its contribution to the 2030 Agenda, a focus on taking stock on the learning and knowledge management, the commitment to strategic relationships and an active contribution to the main forums related to Triangular Cooperation… without forgetting communication and visibility, an essential hallmark of the Program. All these areas resulted in numerous experiences that, collected and processed in a timely manner contribute to building knowledge from accumulated practice, which will undoubtedly also support future processes.

The process of preparing the document involved numerous meetings and interviews, as well as a thorough reflection exercise. The outcome is a consultative document that begins with an analysis of Triangular Cooperation and its development in Latin America and the Caribbean, by situating the ADELANTE Programme and other donors in this context. Systematic fact sheets for each of the projects are presented, indicating the critical contributions to the 2030 Agenda. Lastly, the lessons learned within the Programme are presented through specific instruments, such as the Knowledge Bank, and a special section is dedicated to communication and visibility. By making all of this information available to the general public, both the projects and the Programme wish to reiterate their commitment to one of the fundamental principles of Triangular Cooperation: sharing knowledge and learning jointly.

Based on the experience of these first four years collected in the systematisation, ADELANTE 2 arises. It will align with the best practices observed in the previous Programme, along with those of other partners, focusing on a more strategic approach and continuing to ensure ownership by recipients or beneficiaries to contribute to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda in the region.

 

Jolita Butkeviciene
Director for Latin America and the Caribbean
Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development (DG DEVCO)