Led by some of our collaborators in the region, ODI is facilitating the development of a network of researchers and practitioners interested in learning and supporting other evidence based policymaking initiatives. For that aim, a dgroup (www.dgroups.org/groups/cspp-al/) has been set up to provide participants with an initial space for engagement and knowledge sharing.

CSPP Latin America organises regular debates on the challenges and opportunities for influencing development policies in Latin America. The recent electronic debate saw the participation of CSO members from Peru, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Argentina. The discussion revealed several cross cutting impediments hindering the successful uptake of research in Latin America.

Summary of recent dgroup electronic debate

• Gina Alvarado, from CIES, Peru, presented the following question: is it possible to impact, from CSOs, over general topics of public policy (and not only the specific ones)? In the academic realm there is a much more important treatment of specific issues than of wider ones. Therefore, the lack of evidence regarding the alternatives of the governments in terms of general and sectorial public policy – according to Gina – may difficult the impact on these subjects and their treatment.
• From Costa Rica, Dr. Marvin Valverde shared the experience of the local empowerment program in the Canton of Moravia, which enabled the establishment of a cantonal agenda to participate in the local administrative decision processes. This is a successful experience, and an example of a participative process originated by a CSO which was able to impact on broader issues of the (local) government’s agenda.
• Orazio Bulletin from Ecuador stated that this problem is a consequence of the constant tension between the general and the particular. Due to structural factors (which have an increased influence in our region), it is difficult to impact the issues in an integral way. The emphasis on local and particular issues has prevented the articulation of initiatives with capacity to make national policies. Orazio mentioned that in Ecuador, CSOs don’t have the ability to overcome the partial vision and involve themselves in a sectorial impact experience. Finally, he highlighted that in contexts where the State doesn’t promote sectorial and intersectorial reforms, CSOs may help in this sense – despite the opinion that this is not CSOs’ role.
• Last but not least, Vanesa Weyrauch mentioned three mechanisms that may be used by an organization in order to define the macro-micro spectrum of their influence. Firstly, there is the possibility to adopt a wider scope and afterwards, introduce the chosen subject in more specific debates and policy making processes. Secondly, one may specialize in a specific subject and gradually broaden its scope to a more sectorial intervention. Thirdly, another possibility is to work with other organizations involved in the same sector, but which focus in different specific policies, and complement each others work by cooperating.
• Last week, a new discussion theme emerged, presented by Marco Colindres, from Guatemala. He described the work of a CSO network, striving to create equal opportunities for handicapped persons, in the struggle to access a new transport system: the “Transmetro”. It is interesting to evaluate the actions carried out by the SCOs to have a larger impact. They organized a meeting, which eventually led to the creation of a Committee (CPAT). To overcome the difficulties which obstructed their work, they decided to present a lawsuit. The main factor that obstructed the process was the lack of political will (there wasn’t information available when demanded, and there were few communication attempts from government). This experience can illustrate very well the difficulties that CSOs frequently face when they try to impact on sectorial public policies, benefiting a minority (generally excluded), as Dr. Marvin Valverde stated. From CIPPEC, a reference was made to the media as a possible tool to help overcome these difficulties and accomplish the desired impact.

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