Between 10th and 14th March, Rimisp researchers, Natalia Slachevsky and Constanza Christian were part of a working team that visited Rapa Nui to advance the formulation of the Extreme Zones Development Plan (PDZE) for the island. The objective of this initiative, financed by the Undersecretariat of Regional Development (SUBDERE), is to provide technical, logistical and methodological support to the Regional Government of Valparaíso in the elaboration of a strategic plan and an investment portfolio for Rapa Nui.

During the visit, meetings were held with local authorities, services, representatives of community organizations and key stakeholders of the territory. Highlights included meetings with the Municipal Council, the administration of the Rapa Nui National Park (Ma’u Henua), the Council of the Sea (Koro Nui), and representatives of groups such as Hõnui, which represents the 36 Rapa Nui families. In addition, field visits were made to assess the current conditions and specific needs of the island.

The work team held meetings with various public and private entities to gather information directly from the community. This process will make it possible to identify and prioritize projects that respond to the needs expressed by the island’s inhabitants and that can be integrated into the Plan.

As part of this effort, a Local Advisory Board has been formed, including various institutions of Rapa Nui, who will work together with the Municipality and the Regional Government in the development of the plan. This Board will play a fundamental role in the prioritization of the problems that the Plan should address and in the formulation of its respective portfolio of initiatives that will provide solutions adapted to the local reality.

Martina Valenzuela Levi, Head of the Regional Development Division of the Undersecretary of Regional and Administrative Development (SUBDERE), commented on the working sessions in Rapa Nui: “As a Government, we are very pleased to begin this work that will allow the Island to have large-scale investment. To this end, we have met with all the local authorities, as well as with different state institutions and the Rapa Nui people, in order to identify objectives and move towards a common focus .” He added that, in the coming months, ” we will be working on identifying the investment initiatives that will be part of the Plan so that later, in 2026, we can move forward in their formulation and execution, which we hope can begin next year“.

For her part, Macarena Pereira, Regional Administrator of the Regional Government of Valparaíso, points out: “We have a great deal of experience in this area.said: “The formulation of the Extreme Zones Development Plan is a priority for the Regional Government.The formulation of the Extreme Zones Development Plan is a priority for the Regional Government; it is a commitment to decentralization that we carry out in collaboration with the representatives of the various public institutions and organizations of the territory, to ensure that the Plan will be considered a priority. It is a commitment to decentralization that we carry out in collaboration with the representatives of the various public institutions and organizations of the territory, to ensure that the Plan considers the demands of the Rapa Nui people, allows to reduce the gaps that the island has, and above all to safeguard the heritage and improve the quality of life of those who inhabit it.“.

Natalia Slachevsky, Senior Researcher at Rimisp – Latin American Center for Rural Development, said, “We are very pleased with the results of this study.indicated that “these public instruments include citizen participation mechanisms in their design process.these public instruments include mechanisms of citizen participation in their design process, which allow the integration of the vision of the population living in Rapa Nui in the development priorities for their territories.“.

WHAT IS A DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR EXTREME ZONES (PDZE)?

The PDZE is an instrument of orientation and public investment designed for territories considered extreme due to their geographical condition, difficulties of accessibility to basic services and higher living costs. This plan seeks to promote development and equity in Rapa Nui over a 10-year horizon, with a portfolio of investment projects that will be evaluated by the National Investment System.

The Plan formulation process includes:

1. The elaboration of a diagnostic study of the territory.
2. The formulation of strategic guidelines.
3. The generation of a portfolio of initiatives that are relevant and consistent with the guidelines.
4. The definition of management and governance mechanisms.
5. The implementation of a citizen participation strategy.

Conozca más del proyecto “Formulación del Plan de desarrollo de Zonas Extremas para Rapa Nui” en: https://rimisp.org/formulacion-del-plan-de-desarrollo-de-zonas-extremas-para-rapa-nui/

Translation by: Alexandra Kerangal Macé