Bolivia Fact Sheet
April 2006
In March 2004, USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) launched its Bolivia program to help reduce tensions in areas prone to social conflict and to assist the country prepare for key electoral events. At the time, Bolivia was experiencing heightened political unrest following the resignation of President Gonzales Sánchez de Lozada, in addition to increasing demands for regional autonomy from several departments. OTI's activities sought to improve access to balanced information on issues of national importance, promote peaceful participation and economic opportunity in marginalized areas, and conduct civic education and leadership training in support of Bolivia's emerging indigenous leadership. Through 2005, OTI committed over $8.2 million to 240 projects, which were implemented in collaboration with civil society organizations indigenous groups, and local and national government bodies.
TThe general elections in December 2005 included, for the first time, the popular election of prefects (i.e. governors), making decentralization one of the key transition issues now facing the country. In response to the new political dynamic, OTI retargeted its program to reflect the needs of a country engaged in a process of expanding regional authority. OTI activities are aimed at building the capacity of prefect-led departmental governments to help them better respond to the constituencies they govern. OTI will also continue to work closely with indigenous groups to increase access to and participation in Bolivia's political system.
Program Activities since January 2006
- Supporting the decentralization process through strengthened departmental governments: support to the prefectures of La Paz, Cochabamba, Tarija, Santa Cruz, and Chuquisaca will provide technical support to train prefectural staff in planning, budgeting and project management and improve institutional capacity related to financial and administrative systems, transparency mechanisms, communications, outreach and other key areas. ($396,400 for 11 projects)
- Promoting linkages between indigenous groups and democratic structures: building on OTI's previous work with both highland and lowland indigenous groups, these activities are designed to help traditionally marginalized indigenous groups engage in the political process. Many projects will be implemented in collaboration with prefectures, focusing on issues such as consensus building on local economic development priorities or decentralized service provision. OTI is currently supporting projects to provide leadership skills training and information on issues of national and regional importance in the departments of Santa Cruz, Potosi, and La Paz. ($240,800 for 4 projects)
- Fostering community participation in El Alto: OTI will continue to support constructive engagement of youth and social organizations in El Alto through income generation projects and school rehabilitation. Since March 2004, over 300,000 citizens and officials, out of a population of 800,000 in El Alto, have participated in OTI activities.
For further information, please contact:
In Washington, D.C: Amy Frumin, LAC Program Manager, 202-712-4231, afrumin@usaid.gov
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