In order to ensure the quality of the work to be undertaken, the Inter-American Development Bank approved the organization of a Regional Training Program in the Application of the IIRSA EASE Methodology. In this context, technical experts from IIRSA member countries’ government agencies were trained in the methodology application as well as in its scope and content, thus enhancing their knowledge to attain sustainable infrastructure planning.

The Regional Training Program in the Application of the IIRSA EASE Methodology included five three-day long workshops involving the following learning activities: i) lectures on conceptual issues, ii) group exercises for analyzing conceptual and practical aspects, and iii) case applications.    

The workshops were held in:

1. Lima (targeted for experts from Bolivia, Chile and Peru)
2. Quito (Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela)
3. Buenos Aires (Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay
4. Brasilia (Brazil)
5. Paramaribo (Guyana and Suriname)

Objectives of the training process

• Recognize the characteristics of and the differences between the EIA approach to projects, the Strategic Environmental Assessments (EEAs), and the EASE Methodology in the context of policy, plan, program, and project development.

• Understand, assess, and analyze the objectives, assumptions, expected deliverables, approaches, components and phases of the EASE Methodology with a systemic and applied perspective.

• Understand the stages of the EASE Methodology participatory processes, the applicable methods and techniques, and the inclusion of the gender, intercultural and intergenerational perspectives.

• Get to know a set of tools to support the processes involved in the EASE Methodology for their potential use in the different environmental, social, cultural and economic contexts.

• Experience the requirements of the EASE Methodology through case studies so as to be prepared for future applications in the different countries.

• Develop skills to act as trainers of other officials concerned with the methodology use in the future.