A workshop to review proposed regional project designs for the 2018–2019 technical cooperation programme for the Latin American and the Caribbean region has taken place 31 October – 4 November 2016 in Vienna, Austria. The 60 meeting participants included the Lead Counterparts (DTMs), regional experts, ARCAL National Coordinators of thematic areas, lecturers and IAEA Officers.
This meeting was held in line with the joint efforts of the ARCAL Regional Agreement and the Department of Technical Cooperation for the preparation of a high quality 2018–2019 technical cooperation programme. It aimed to enhance and finalize regional project design proposals for the next TC cycle. It also aimed to review the Logical Framework Approach (LFA), which is a standard tool for designing TC projects, and to introduce established TC best practices and lessons learned.
During the event, participants worked in five thematic groups in order to enhance 14 proposals for regional projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. Those thematic areas included human health, food security and agriculture, water and environment, radiation technology and energy. ARCAL proposals derive from the regional needs and priorities identified in the ARCAL Regional Strategic Profile for Latin America and the Caribbean (RSP) 2016–2021.
The process of project design will continue until the second quarter of 2017 when project designs are expected to be finalized. The projects will be sent for the consideration of the IAEA Board of Governors in November 2017.