Practical Action Latin America

About us

Practical Action Latin America (Soluciones Prácticas) has been working in Peru since 1985, and now also has programmes in Bolivia and Eucador.

Traditional agriculture and farming are the main livelihoods for poor people in the region. One third of the working population depends on agriculture and farming for subsistence. They are not only poor, but also the most vulnerable to climate change and natural hazards. Isolation, lack of training and neglect by the government are common difficulties for many rural families.

Programmes

Practical Action Latin America (Soluciones Prácticas) contributes to regional development through the promotion of viable technology alternatives built on local strengths in each of its programme and research areas. A balance is maintained between the activities of "mature" programmes, with large scale technology dissemination, and innovative research and technology development.

Soluciones Prácticas is currently active in the following technology areas:

• Prevention of disasters and local governability
• Production systems and access to markets
• Basic energy, infrastructure and services
• Responding to new technologies

List of Practical Action Latin America (Soluciones Prácticas ) projects

Regional networks

Practical Action is a leading member of many regional networks, including:

• the Latin American Social Studies Network for Disaster Prevention (LA RED)
• the Rural Agroindustry Cooperative Development programme (PRODAR)
• the Latin American Micro hydro Energy Network (HIDRORED)

In Peru Practical Action leads the National Rural AgroIndusty Network (REDAR), the Water Promotion and Management Institute (IPROGA), the San Martín Regional Network for Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (Red San Martín) and the National Network for Disaster Information (RENADES).

Technology dissemination

Within a context of persistent poverty and weak institutions Practical Action faces an important demand for its services. Practical Action tries to maintain a balance between the activities of "mature" programmes with large scale technology dissemination, and innovative work requiring technology research and development.

An example of technology dissemination is the installation of micro hydroelectric centres accompanied by a credit and technical assistance package, a model that has been internationally recognised as environmental best practice. Innovative themes include rural telecommunications and the sustainable extraction of forest resources in the Amazon rainforest.

Practical Action Latin America's activities are guided by three principles:

• wide dissemination of project results
• responding to poor people's needs
• fulfillment of contracts

Drawing on project experience and research findings, Practical Action produces information for a wide audience, from policy makers to the general public.

Awards and honours

• Selected among the best 25 innovators by Tech Awards: one of the most important humanitarian awards that acknowledges the contributions of innovators who use technologies to benefit the poor (2009).
• U.S. Congress recognition awarded for our outstanding service to the community (2008).
• Universidad Nacional San Simón (Cochabamba, Bolivia) recognition awarded for our support to the University's Department of Science and Technology (2008).
• Recognition awarded by the district of El Carmen, Chincha, for our reconstruction work after the earthquake of August 2007 (2008).
• Our work in the area of renewable energies was awarded the United Nations Environment Prize. The UNEP Sasakawa Prize is awarded every year to the organizations selected for their outstanding contributions in the field of sustainable environmental management through a world contest. The 2008 UNEP Sasakawa Prize was especially oriented to contributions in the area of offsetting carbon emissions (2008).
• Second Prize in the Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy for our work in the field of renewble energies. The award was presented by the former U.S. Vice President and environmental activist Al Gore (2007).
• 2 times selected as finalists in the National Creativity Prize: Creative Bussiness Prize for our work in the area of energy and production systems (2006, 2007).
• First Honor Mention in the Coca Cola Award for Eco-Eficiency in recognition to our work in the area of Biodiesel (2003).
• Won the CTI-Climate Technology Leadership Prize. This award was granted by the Energy International Agency (EIA) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in recognition of the work carried out by our Energy Program in promoting renewable energy in Peru (2000).