The decentralization process underway in the country is considered by the authorities as a main trigger of economic reform. Although this process has been slow, the sources of financing for local development are being gradually diversified, and increased decision-making powers are being granted to municipal governments. Local authorities need to enhance their capacities to make autonomous decisions, improve their economic and social policies and generate their own budgets.
PRODEL (Phase II) focuses on strengthening such capacities by improving and expanding the use of Municipal Development Strategies (EDMs), and encouraging the implementation of local initiatives to increase population access to goods and services, and contribute to promote social and gender equity.

Improved quality of life of the population in the municipalities under the programme, making special emphasis on women and vulnerable groups, by developing local capacities for municipal development management.

Around 1,350,000 people living in 27 municipalities (51 per cent women) benefit from new local production activities and services and improved citizen-participation mechanisms.
Women (51 per cent of total residents) and disadvantaged groups (around 270,000 people) benefit from affirmative actions (are given priority in terms of employment and services).

• Municipal management of  Cuban municipalities is stenghtened (by articulating EDM with sectorial management tools and mechanisms for economic sustainability and social inclusion).
• Service delivery and local production have increased.
• Good practices of local management are incorporated into national policies.

Expected results:  

1. The municipalities under the programme improve their Local Development Index.
2. The municipalities under the programme increase their production and services delivery capacities.
3. PRODEL-generated tools for strengthened municipal capacities are incorporated into national policies and new legislative documents.

Results from previous phases:  

• A total of 72 projects under implementation in 25 municipalities supply new products and services to 200,000 beneficiaries (48 percent women and  52 percent men).
• Governments in 69 municipalities implement EDMs as a management tool.
• A total of 102 “replicators” (45 percent women) have been trained for widespread EDM implementation, and 57 specialists at national institutions (32 women and 25 men) and 2,300 local actors (17 percent from the non-state sector) have been trained in municipal planning and management.
• The Commission on the Implementation of the Economic and Social Policy Guidelines (CIL) recognizes EDM as a relevant tool for decentralized municipal management and entrusted the Local and Community Development Centre (CEDEL) with the task of disseminating its use in the country.
• The website of PRODEL local development network (www.redesloc.cu) is under operation (with over 600 users).

• National Institute for Economic Research (INIE)
• Science, Technology, Society and Innovation Chair at the University of Havana, Ministry of Higher Education (CTS-MES)
• Energy Development and Information Management Centre (CUBAENERGÍA)
• Community Initiative Reference and Exchange Centre (CIERIC)

SDC programmes, including PADIT, GEPAC, and Habitat II

Phase 2 01.04.2016 - 31.03.2021   (Completed)