Introduction
Fonplata is a multilateral financial institution owned by Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Its mission is to support integration of member countries, to reduce socio-economic disparities and to achieve inclusive development. Fonplata encourages the complementarities of national development institutions through medium and small-scale projects. Its portfolio is comprised of projects in urban development, renewable energy, the ability to provide drinking water, social infrastructure, cultural heritage, and rural accessibility.
Background
The European Union and the EIB have made resources available to Fonplata, which, combined with Fonplata's own resources, finance four pilot projects. These projects promote climate mitigation and adaptation, while advancing poverty reduction and improving the living conditions of the most vulnerable parts of the population. LACIF contributes technical assistance to Fonplata to enhance its capacities, improve its climate risk and vulnerability assessments, and provide training. This support upgrades Fonplata’s environmental and social safeguards in line with European Union standards.
This project facilitates access to basic services for 1 500 vulnerable homes in rural communities in the Department of Potosí, Bolivia. It provides safe water and photovoltaic electricity through tanks, roof covers, and solar panels. Moreover, it provides community training on the proper use of facilities and is implementing a rural water and sanitation information system. The project also seeks to consolidate this comprehensive management model to replicate it nationally.
The light helps us a lot. I can switch it on at any time. We have light to cook by when we get up early. And the water no longer makes us ill.
This pilot project facilitates access to public equipment and services and improves social inclusion through the financing of urban infrastructure, housing, recreational services and transport in the Municipality of Corumbá, Brazil. 107 000 inhabitants now benefit from new paved roads, the development of Jaguatiricas Park, the restoration of 10 historic buildings, improvements in the coastal area of the Paraguay River, the construction of a citizen centre and the revitalisation of Cacimba da Saúde eco-park.
The neighbourhood had no infrastructure (…), we didn't have access to anything, a lot of mud and dust everywhere (…) and a lot of people came to the health unit seeking care, because of the dust, like children with asthma.
São Gonçalo do Amarante is located only 13 km away from Natal, the state capital of Rio Grande do Norte, and its recent expansion requires investment to accommodate new inhabitants. This pilot project improves the quality of life of the population through investments in sanitation, urban mobility and the creation of the two first public areas for recreation, Nascentes do Rio Golandim park (10 acres) and Rockefeller eco-park (114 acres).
The construction of the water system will also mean we can live the next 50 years without water shortages (…) as a woman, living with other women every day, I know how scared we are about the lack of security. So when lighting is installed, it makes people feel safer.
Cascavel is a municipality in full growth that requires improvements in sanitation, urban planning and mobility to welcome new inhabitants. This pilot finances macro-drainage works, the development of two new parks, a public sports centre, an intergenerational community centre, a social assistance reference centre, the expansion of its viaduct, the rehabilitation and extension of urban roads, the paving of streets, the reconstruction of the storm drainage network, the replacement of sewer manholes and the implementation of bicycle lanes.