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The India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) Trust Fund was created in 2004 within the IBSA Dialogue Forum. The Fund, as an example of cooperation among three developing countries, constitutes a pioneer and unique initiative to enhance South-South cooperation for the benefit of the most needed nations. Its purpose is to identify replicable and scalable projects that can be disseminated to interested developing countries as examples of best practices in the fight against poverty and hunger. Projects under the IBSA Trust Fund are carried out in collaboration and consultation with partner countries, through South-South Cooperation mechanisms.

The IBSA Trust Fund operates through a demand driven approach. Governments requesting support by this fund initiate discussions with IBSA representatives around the world. They submit proposals to the IBSA Focal Points in the three capitals, for approval. Proposals that receive favorable indication are taken to the IBSA Fund Board of Directors, composed by the IBSA Deputy-Permanent Representatives for the United Nations. They meet every four months to develop, monitor, analyze and approve project documents. The Special Unit for South-South Cooperation (SU-SSC) of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), acting as the fund manager and the Board of Directors’ secretariat, initiates contact with a potential executing agency to advance a project formulation, and to facilitate the project’s implementation. IBSA projects are executed through partnerships with local governments, UNDP or national institutions.

Proposals submitted to the Fund are evaluated according to the following list of criteria:

1. Reduction of poverty and hunger;
2. National ownership and leadership;
3. South-South cooperation;
4. Use of IBSA country capacities;
5. Strengthening local capacity;
6. Ownership;
7. Sustainability;
8. Identifiable impact;
9. Replicability;
10. Innovation.

Each IBSA country contributes with US$ 1 million per year to the Fund. Three projects were finished so far, and commitments have been renewed with the three countries where they were held:

1. “Development of Agriculture and Livestock in Guinea-Bissau”, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture of that country, has improved agricultural yield by training over 4,500 peasants (2,600 women) in improved agricultural techniques to enhance rice cultivation and citrus fruits and mango production. It started in February, 2006, and was finished in April, 2007, under the budget of US$ 498.750,00. IBSA partners assisted the introduction of new seeds species that improve yield and allow agricultural production even during Guinea-Bissau’s rainy season. They also provided training on water management and control.

2. “Collection of Solid Waste as a Tool to Reduce Violence in Carrefour Feuilles, Haiti” has organized and mobilized a community in this country with a history of violence and gang clashes around the collection and recycling of the community’s waste. It went from February, 2006, to April, 2007, under the budget of US$ 550.000,00. It has developed a culture of waste disposal, collection and recycling, therefore generating employment, reducing the incidence of disease, preventing flood risk from garbage-clogged canals, and reducing environmental impacts (particularly by introducing cooking bricks from recycled paper products). This collaborative community work has built local capacity and aided the pacification process of the Port-au-Prince’s neighborhood known as Carrefour-Feuilles. This initiative has been renewed, and currently employs 385 people from the community, including 207 women. It has also received recommendations from international authorities visiting the country. The Municipality of Port-au-Prince and UNDP are IBSA partners in this project.

3. “Support to infrastructure in the island of Sao Nicolau, Cape Verde” has contributed with the refurbishment of two health units in an isolated community called Covoada, inaccessible by car and distant from the two health centers on the island. There was an existing Health Unit (USB) there, but it had deteriorated so much that it could no longer function properly. Because of the renovation, residents now have quick access to basic health services and can avoid frequent travel to health centers.  Furthermore, a Red Cross center that offers social assistance to elderly people in need, providing them not only with hot meals but also with various other services, was painted and equipped. The local municipality and the national authorities of Cape Verde were responsible for the implementation. The final budget, after the payment of the administration fee, was US$ 37.236,00.

Furthermore, initiatives are currently under implementation in Cambodia, Burundi and at the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The IBSA Fund received the UN South-South Partnership Award in 2006. In 2009, an exhibition on the projects developed was showcased in New York, Washington and Nairobi.

 

 Panels Part 1 , 2 , 3 and 4