Researchers from Rimisp – Latin American Center for Rural Development, in conjunction with the Sub-secretariat of Regional and Administrative Development (Subdere) and the Regional Government of Valparaíso carried out a work agenda in Rapa Nui work agenda in Rapa Nui to advance in the formulation of the Extreme Zones Development Plan (PDZE).

The agenda included a series of key meetings with local stakeholders to review and complement a preliminary ten-year investment portfolio.. Meetings were held with the mayoress and her team of the Municipality of Rapa Nui, the Presidential Provincial Delegation of Easter Island and the Technical Advisory Board, made up of various institutions of the island.

In addition, the investment portfolio with different entities was reviewed in detail.The program also included meetings with the Rapa Nui community, such as SASIPA, the Easter Island Development Subcommittee (CODEIPA) and the Population Burden Management Council. Meetings were also held with the MOP, SERVIU, the Hanga Roa Hospital team, the Rapa Nui Heritage Technical Secretariat, the Mau Henua indigenous community and the National Monuments Council, among others.

Natalia Slachevsky, principal investigator of Rimisp emphasized the importance of the meetings held: “The preliminary portfolio of initiatives with which we arrived to the territory, elaborated together with some services of the regional level, was well received and consensual. The meetings allowed us to refine and complement it with some projects that were not included”.

The visit culminated with two participatory workshops at the Tongariki Cultural Center. These workshops allowed the inhabitants of Rapa Nui to review the main elements of the Plan and the initiatives in the project portfolio, ensuring that their voices and needs were considered.

“In the participatory workshops we presented the PDZE elaboration process and validated the strategic plan. The people contributed their vision and participated in the co-construction of a preliminary portfolio of initiatives, giving the plan greater territorial relevance“, said Slachevsky.

The next steps of the Extreme Zones Development Plan (PDZE) of Rapa Nui include the validation of the proposal by the Local Advisory Board and the Regional Council (CORE), to be sent to the Subdere and the Budget Directorate (Dipres) for technical review and final approval.