COSTA RICA'S 2006 AMBASSADOR'S FUND FOR REFUGEES

UNCLAS SAN JOSE 001182 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR PRM/ECA JJOYCE, WHA/CEN JMACK E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREF CS SUBJECT: COSTA RICA'S 2006 AMBASSADOR'S FUND FOR REFUGEES PROPOSAL REF: STATE 41367 ¶1. Please find following Embassy San Jose's submission for the 2006 Ambassador's Fund for Refugees. ¶2. Description of project: USD 18,618 to set up and operate a training center in San Jose to provide English language and computer skills training. The center will provide English training from basic to advanced, with an emphasis on providing refugees sufficient English skills to find employment within Costa Rica's burgeoning tourism and service sectors. In addition, the center will offer courses in basic computer operation, as well as introductory courses in Microsoft Office and Web publishing, also focused on preparing students for integration into the local economy. The center will be located in the centrally located headquarters of the Asociacion de Consultores y Asesores Internacionales (ACAI),UNHCR's local NGO partner. Teachers at the center will be hired from local vocational centers, with additional tutoring and teaching assistance from local university students. ACAI estimates that there is significant demand for such a center and anticipates enrollment of approximately 500 students per year, depending on class size and facility accommodations. ¶3. Justification for this request: While Costa Rica's economy was historically dominated by agriculture, tourism has become the largest single component of GDP, followed closely by high-tech manufacturing and services. English and computer skills are becoming important to finding a good job, since the vast majority of tourists are American or European, and many service jobs cater to an English-speaking clientele. Many of Costa Rica's 14,000 refugees who lack English and computer skills are unable to find work in the burgeoning tourism sector. Costa Rica's refugee population is made up primarily of semi-educated Colombians, and virtually all the rest are from other Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America. Lacking the vocational skills necessary for employment and without their traditional family support network, many refugees are economically marginalized and are forced to work in the dwindling agricultural sector. ACAI hopes to provide a means for these refugees to gain the skills necessary to find employment in San Jose and other urban areas. ¶4. Agency responsible for implementation/management of the project funds: UNHCR's local NGO implementing partner, Asociacion de Consultores y Asesores Internacionales (ACAI). UNHCR representative Agni Castro referred post to ACAI for suggested projects, and is supportive of this initiative. ¶5. Budget: USD 18,618. -USD 8,830 for seven (7) computer workstations, one central printer and software license acquisition. Computers will be purchased through Dell, which provides a local on-site service warranty, thereby reducing maintenance costs. The language software to be used is Rosetta Stone, which will be deployed in a server structure. The server-based version of the program is both less expensive and prevents theft of individual CD-ROM discs. ACAI has already implemented the Microsoft Office suite within their office and will purchase seven additional licenses to allow for expanded usage in the learning center. -USD 800 for facilities upgrades to ACAI's office space. The space to be used currently serves dual purpose as a garage and meeting room, but will be repurposed expressly to house the learning center. This requires telephone and network wiring installation, air conditioning installation, and alarm system expansion to encompass the space. -USD 7,488 for one-year part-time instructor salaries. ACAI estimates that it can host 36 hours of classes per week: 24 hours of English, and 12 hours of computer training. The aim is to have four English classes for two hours a day each, offered on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and three computer courses, also two hours each, on Tuesday and Thursday. Local instructors are available for USD 4.00 per hour. USG funds would finance the first year of instruction, while small tuition fees charged to the students will be used to fund continuing instruction. ACAI estimates that students will have to pay approximately USD 10 per month for course enrollment in order to maintain the program. -USD 1,500 for furniture, floor covering, whiteboards, paper, printer supplies, and miscellaneous materials costs. ¶6. Post certifies that it has the authority and capacity to award a grant to the intended recipient agency prior to the end of the fiscal year (September 30, 2006). ¶8. ACAI supports the six core principles of the UN Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC),and post can fax the required documentation to demonstrate this at PRM's request. LANGDALE