SID also provides technical assistance to networks of NGOs. The assistance to networks complements the individual assistance and extends it to many more organizations. For example, SID works with the more than 20 NGOs funded by the European Union's Food Security Program in the Department of Oruro and Northern Potosí. The USACE members meet every several months to discuss new methods of extension, better approaches to evaluating results, lessons learned, and problems and solutions in project implementation. SID is an active participant in these meetings and staffs some of them.
The NGOs funded by USACE provide services throughout much of the Central Altiplano as well as part of the Southern Altiplano. In addition, USACE plans to fund another 10 NGOS working in the region. SID recently facilitated a workshop in which the European donors appraised new projects and NGOs for funding.
All of these NGOs work to increase agricultural production, both for better family consumption as well as for sales and income. Many are adding reclamation of soils and pastures to their projects. Three of the 32 NGOs that receive intensive individual assistance from SID are USACE members, and others in the network are interested in receiving individual assistance.
