Free SOUTHMOD Training Course 2026 on Tax and Benefit Microsimulation for Latin America | Hybrid Participation in Quito, Ecuador

<p data-start="1164" data-end="1458">Professionals, researchers, policymakers, and academics interested in tax and social protection policy analysis are invited to register for the <strong data-start="1308" data-end="1401">SOUTHMOD Training Course on Microsimulation for Tax and Benefit Analysis in Latin America</strong>, taking place <strong data-start="1416" data-end="1435">14–16 July 2026</strong> in <strong data-start="1439" data-end="1457">Quito, Ecuador</strong>.</p> <p data-start="1460" data-end="2001">Organized by the <strong data-start="1477" data-end="1569">United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER)</strong> in collaboration with <strong data-start="1592" data-end="1658">Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (FLACSO Ecuador)</strong>, <strong data-start="1660" data-end="1688">Universidad del Pacífico</strong>, the <strong data-start="1694" data-end="1774">International Inequalities Institute at the London School of Economics (LSE)</strong>, and <strong data-start="1780" data-end="1838">Pontificia Universidad Javeriana’s Observatorio Fiscal</strong>, this three-day <strong data-start="1855" data-end="1865">hybrid</strong> training programme provides participants with practical skills in using tax-benefit microsimulation models to evaluate fiscal policies.</p> <p data-start="2003" data-end="2131">The training is <strong data-start="2019" data-end="2048">completely free of charge</strong>, open to all eligible participants, and will be delivered entirely in <strong data-start="2119" data-end="2130">Spanish</strong>.</p> <h2 data-start="2133" data-end="2155">Registration Status</h2> <p data-start="2157" data-end="2192"><strong data-start="2157" data-end="2192">Registration is currently open.</strong></p> <h2 data-start="2194" data-end="2211">Training Dates</h2> <p data-start="2213" data-end="2244"><strong data-start="2213" data-end="2244">14 July 2026 – 16 July 2026</strong></p> <h2 data-start="2246" data-end="2254">Venue</h2> <p data-start="2256" data-end="2274"><strong data-start="2256" data-end="2274">Quito, Ecuador</strong></p> <p data-start="2276" data-end="2409">The course will be offered in a <strong data-start="2308" data-end="2325">hybrid format</strong>, allowing participants to attend either in person or through virtual participation.</p> <h1 data-start="2416" data-end="2452">About the SOUTHMOD Training Course</h1> <p data-start="2454" data-end="2676">The SOUTHMOD training course is designed to equip participants with practical knowledge and hands-on experience in using microsimulation models to analyze the impact of tax and social benefit policies across Latin America.</p> <p data-start="2678" data-end="2755">Participants will learn how to evaluate how different fiscal policies affect:</p> <ul data-start="2757" data-end="2900"> <li data-start="2757" data-end="2775">Household income</li> <li data-start="2776" data-end="2792">Poverty levels</li> <li data-start="2793" data-end="2812">Income inequality</li> <li data-start="2813" data-end="2834">Government revenues</li> <li data-start="2835" data-end="2863">Social protection outcomes</li> <li data-start="2864" data-end="2900">Distribution of taxes and benefits</li> </ul> <p data-start="2902" data-end="3013">The programme focuses on practical applications that support evidence-based policymaking and economic research.</p> <h1 data-start="3020" data-end="3039">What is SOUTHMOD?</h1> <p data-start="3041" data-end="3213">SOUTHMOD is an internationally recognized research initiative that develops, updates, and maintains tax-benefit microsimulation models for low- and middle-income countries.</p> <p data-start="3215" data-end="3236">These models combine:</p> <ul data-start="3238" data-end="3343"> <li data-start="3238" data-end="3261">Household income data</li> <li data-start="3262" data-end="3290">Household expenditure data</li> <li data-start="3291" data-end="3317">National tax legislation</li> <li data-start="3318" data-end="3343">Social benefit policies</li> </ul> <p data-start="3345" data-end="3509">Using these datasets, researchers and policymakers can simulate proposed policy changes before implementation and estimate their likely economic and social impacts.</p> <p data-start="3511" data-end="3680">This makes SOUTHMOD an essential tool for governments, researchers, and development organizations seeking to design more effective fiscal and social protection policies.</p> <h1 data-start="3687" data-end="3722">Countries Covered by the Training</h1> <p data-start="3724" data-end="3792">This training focuses on four Latin American microsimulation models:</p> <ul data-start="3794" data-end="3869"> <li data-start="3794" data-end="3813">ECUAMOD (Ecuador)</li> <li data-start="3814" data-end="3833">COLMOD (Colombia)</li> <li data-start="3834" data-end="3852">BOLMOD (Bolivia)</li> <li data-start="3853" data-end="3869">PERUMOD (Peru)</li> </ul> <p data-start="3871" data-end="3985">Participants will gain practical experience using these country-specific models to assess tax and benefit reforms.</p> <h1 data-start="3992" data-end="4022">What Participants Will Learn</h1> <p data-start="4024" data-end="4118">Throughout the three-day programme, participants will receive practical instruction on how to:</p> <ul data-start="4120" data-end="4458"> <li data-start="4120" data-end="4163">Use tax-benefit microsimulation software.</li> <li data-start="4164" data-end="4218">Analyze household-level income and expenditure data.</li> <li data-start="4219" data-end="4252">Evaluate fiscal policy reforms.</li> <li data-start="4253" data-end="4280">Estimate poverty impacts.</li> <li data-start="4281" data-end="4311">Measure inequality outcomes.</li> <li data-start="4312" data-end="4353">Assess government revenue implications.</li> <li data-start="4354" data-end="4409">Compare alternative tax and social benefit scenarios.</li> <li data-start="4410" data-end="4458">Interpret simulation results for policymaking.</li> </ul> <p data-start="4460" data-end="4550">The course emphasizes applied learning through real-world examples and hands-on exercises.</p> <h1 data-start="4557" data-end="4577">Who Should Attend?</h1> <p data-start="4579" data-end="4656">The programme is intended for both experienced and first-time SOUTHMOD users.</p> <p data-start="4658" data-end="4685">Ideal participants include:</p> <ul data-start="4687" data-end="4956"> <li data-start="4687" data-end="4736">Government officials involved in fiscal policy.</li> <li data-start="4737" data-end="4766">Public finance specialists.</li> <li data-start="4767" data-end="4792">Social policy analysts.</li> <li data-start="4793" data-end="4816">Academic researchers.</li> <li data-start="4817" data-end="4840">University lecturers.</li> <li data-start="4841" data-end="4868">Think tank professionals.</li> <li data-start="4869" data-end="4899">Public institution analysts.</li> <li data-start="4900" data-end="4956">Graduate students interested in tax and social policy.</li> </ul> <p data-start="4958" data-end="5056">Anyone interested in evidence-based policymaking and fiscal analysis is encouraged to participate.</p> <h1 data-start="5063" data-end="5104">Why Tax-Benefit Microsimulation Matters</h1> <p data-start="5106" data-end="5312">Tax-benefit microsimulation has become one of the most valuable tools for governments and researchers because it enables policymakers to test the likely consequences of policy reforms before implementation.</p> <p data-start="5314" data-end="5377">These models help answer important policy questions, including:</p> <ul data-start="5379" data-end="5639"> <li data-start="5379" data-end="5441">How will a proposed tax reform affect low-income households?</li> <li data-start="5442" data-end="5513">Which social benefit programme is most effective at reducing poverty?</li> <li data-start="5514" data-end="5576">What impact will policy changes have on government revenues?</li> <li data-start="5577" data-end="5639">How will inequality change under different fiscal scenarios?</li> </ul> <p data-start="5641" data-end="5724">Such evidence supports smarter, fairer, and more efficient public policy decisions.</p> <h1 data-start="5731" data-end="5757">Global Reach of SOUTHMOD</h1> <p data-start="5759" data-end="5872">UNU-WIDER currently hosts fourteen tax-benefit microsimulation models covering countries across multiple regions.</p> <h3 data-start="5874" data-end="5884">Africa</h3> <ul data-start="5886" data-end="5963"> <li data-start="5886" data-end="5893">Egypt</li> <li data-start="5894" data-end="5904">Ethiopia</li> <li data-start="5905" data-end="5912">Ghana</li> <li data-start="5913" data-end="5925">Mozambique</li> <li data-start="5926" data-end="5934">Rwanda</li> <li data-start="5935" data-end="5945">Tanzania</li> <li data-start="5946" data-end="5954">Uganda</li> <li data-start="5955" data-end="5963">Zambia</li> </ul> <h3 data-start="5965" data-end="5982">Latin America</h3> <ul data-start="5984" data-end="6021"> <li data-start="5984" data-end="5993">Bolivia</li> <li data-start="5994" data-end="6004">Colombia</li> <li data-start="6005" data-end="6014">Ecuador</li> <li data-start="6015" data-end="6021">Peru</li> </ul> <h3 data-start="6023" data-end="6041">Southeast Asia</h3> <ul data-start="6043" data-end="6053"> <li data-start="6043" data-end="6053">Viet Nam</li> </ul> <h3 data-start="6055" data-end="6064">Other</h3> <ul data-start="6066" data-end="6076"> <li data-start="6066" data-end="6076">Zanzibar</li> </ul> <p data-start="6078" data-end="6269">These models complement previously developed systems for South Africa and Namibia, making SOUTHMOD one of the world&#8217;s leading tax-benefit microsimulation initiatives for developing economies.</p> <h1 data-start="6276" data-end="6301">Organizing Institutions</h1> <p data-start="6303" data-end="6347">The training course is jointly organized by:</p> <ul data-start="6349" data-end="6661"> <li data-start="6349" data-end="6439">United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER)</li> <li data-start="6440" data-end="6504">Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (FLACSO Ecuador)</li> <li data-start="6505" data-end="6531">Universidad del Pacífico</li> <li data-start="6532" data-end="6604">International Inequalities Institute, London School of Economics (LSE)</li> <li data-start="6605" data-end="6661">Pontificia Universidad Javeriana – Observatorio Fiscal</li> </ul> <p data-start="6663" data-end="6779">This collaboration brings together leading experts in economics, public finance, social policy, and fiscal analysis.</p> <h1 data-start="6786" data-end="6813">Benefits of Participating</h1> <p data-start="6815" data-end="6846">Participants will benefit from:</p> <ul data-start="6848" data-end="7253"> <li data-start="6848" data-end="6877">Free professional training.</li> <li data-start="6878" data-end="6908">Practical hands-on learning.</li> <li data-start="6909" data-end="6940">Hybrid participation options.</li> <li data-start="6941" data-end="6995">Exposure to internationally recognized policy tools.</li> <li data-start="6996" data-end="7025">Improved analytical skills.</li> <li data-start="7026" data-end="7074">Better understanding of tax-benefit modelling.</li> <li data-start="7075" data-end="7136">Networking opportunities with researchers and policymakers.</li> <li data-start="7137" data-end="7199">Knowledge applicable to fiscal policy design and evaluation.</li> <li data-start="7200" data-end="7253">Enhanced research and policy analysis capabilities.</li> </ul> <h1 data-start="7260" data-end="7285">Why You Should Register</h1> <p data-start="7287" data-end="7512">Whether you work in government, academia, public policy, or development research, this course offers an excellent opportunity to strengthen your expertise in tax-benefit microsimulation and evidence-based fiscal policymaking.</p> <p data-start="7514" data-end="7735">By learning to use SOUTHMOD, participants will gain practical skills that can support better policy design, improve social protection systems, and contribute to reducing poverty and inequality across developing countries.</p> <p data-start="7737" data-end="7872">Registration is free, and interested participants are encouraged to secure their place before the programme begins on <strong data-start="7855" data-end="7871">14 July 2026</strong>.</p> <p style="text-align: center;" data-start="7737" data-end="7872"><a href="https://www2.wider.unu.edu/form/training-lac-southmod-july2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Apply Here</strong></a></p> <p data-start="7737" data-end="7872">For more information on this training opportunity visit <a href="https://www.wider.unu.edu/event/southmod-training-course-microsimulation-tax-and-benefit-analysis-latin-america" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>here </strong></a></p> <p data-start="7737" data-end="7872">Discover more training opportunities on OFY <a href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>here</strong></a></p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/2026/07/02/free-southmod-training-course-2026-on-tax-and-benefit-microsimulation-for-latin-america-hybrid-participation-in-quito-ecuador/">Free SOUTHMOD Training Course 2026 on Tax and Benefit Microsimulation for Latin America | Hybrid Participation in Quito, Ecuador</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org">Opportunities for Youth</a>.</p>