Cooperation & Resource Mobilisation

Cooperation magazines on display at the 2nd ACS International Cooperation COnference

The Directorate for Cooperation and Resource Mobilisation is a cross-cutting unit which promotes international cooperation, develops and reviews projects, programmes and initiatives with regional impact, to prioritise those requiring resource mobilisation and financing for immediate implementation. The Directorate works in constant synergy with the other Directorates and offices of the ACS to design designs tools, plans, systems and methods for monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of ACS projects.

The Directorate is taking active steps to contribute to regional recovery with a sustainable and inclusive development approach. The Directorate seeks to foster an enabling environment for financing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by developing and implementing a portfolio of sustainable development projects and programmes and mobilise investment for sustainable development of the ACS Membership.

 

THE ACS COOPERATION STRATEGY 

THE BEGINNING THE SPECIAL FUND 

From conceptualisation of the ACS to the present day, development financing through cooperation has been a major pillar of the work of the Association. Article seven of the Convention establishing the ACS mandates that the “Ministerial Council shall also establish a Special Fund for the purpose of financing programmes of technical cooperation and related research consistent with the purposes and functions of the Association”. 

A study of the Special Fund conducted in January 2016 found that for a large chunk of its existence, it was “a fund without funds”. The Fund was managed by insufficiently-qualified temporary staff Management of the Fund. There was also a lack of systematic organisation of the Fund’s files and data. 

Director for Cooperation and Resource Mobilisation Ingrid Jacobs says, “I think that it is important to recognise the need for cooperation in project and programme financing. The Special Fund was just a mechanism, but it was not strong enough to fulfill its mandate. Therefore the natural step in order to organise cooperation was to create the Directorate.” 

“The Special Fund was almost invisible and was not able to recognise its potential. Having the Directorate gives us the mandate to interact directly with those who are seeking to partner with the ACS and proactively and efficiently mobilise resources.” 

“The potential is enormous. We can work in a coordinated and organised manner that will send a positive institutional message that is unified and is coherent with the institutional plans of the ACS.” 

 

WHY A DIRECTORATE FOR COOPERATION & RESOURCE MOBILISATION? 

Following periods of intermittent work in the Special Fund, due to limited human resources, Member States gave the Secretariat the task of incorporating the position of a full-time Special Fund Manager into the Association. The solution is the new Directorate which seeks to assist the ACS in shaping and organising cooperation to finance projects that will impact Members. It has the important task of securing new and additional resources for the organisation and optimising existing resources. Mandated by the 2016 Declaration of Havana, the Directorate seeks to accelerate efforts to ensure that the organisation’s project and programme-management meet international standards, thereby encouraging greater intra and inter-regional development cooperation. 

 

STRENGTHS 

  • The ACS has a solid reputation of work in sustainable development in the Greater Caribbean & internationally. 
  • The work of the Association continues to have the involvement and support of Members. 
  • Organisation’s position to abstain from national political affairs ensures neutrality and continuous project-implementation. 
  • ACS thematic areas align with global sustainable development objectives. 

 

OPPORTUNITIES 

  • Donors have the chance to impact the people of 35 countries | 280+ million people and continuously contribute to their sustainable development. 
  • Opportunity to develop unique cooperation agreements tailored to the strengths of the donors and needs of the ACS, with multi-stakeholder approach and engagement, including public-private partnerships. 
  • The ACS is ideally-positioned to execute South- South and Triangular cooperation arrangements. 

 

DEVELOPMENTS 

  • The Directorate for Cooperation and Resource Mobilisation (DCRM) has already begun the work mandated by ACS Heads of State and Government at the 8th Summit in Managua, Nicaragua. 
  • DCRM is now staffed by a Director, Advisor and Secretary. 
  • Drafted a comprehensive Cooperation and Resource Mobilisation Strategy. The Strategy, to be approved by the Ministerial Council, is based on the 2019-2021 Plan of Action. It seeks to mobilise US $100 million for the implementation of projects and programmes in ACS focal areas. 
  • The DCRM has drafted an institutional strengthening programme, comprising training in project management, continuous training programme for staff and technology upgrades. 
  • The Directorate has begun to actively participate in international cooperation events to identify new opportunities and to publicise the work of the ACS. 
  • The Directorate has begun the formulation and design of projects and programmes that are aligned with the sustainable development needs of the people of the Greater Caribbean.