| Fact Sheet U.S. Agency for International Development Washington, DC July 13, 2005 Bolivia Program Description and Activity Data Sheets
The Development Challenge USAID Bolivia’s Integrated Development program supports the shared Bolivian and U.S. Government objective of establishing and promoting conditions for sustainable licit and economic development. These activities also work towards the objective of permanently reducing illicit cultivation of coca leaf, the key ingredient in cocaine production. Integrated development programs operate, primarily, in the Chapare and Yungas regions where virtually all coca leaf is grown. There are three intermediate results established to measure the progress toward sustainable licit economic and social development: 1) Increased competitiveness of licit rural enterprises; 2) Existence and operation of more effective, transparent and responsive democratic institutions; and 3) Improvement of basic public services and social conditions. The USAID Program Increased Competitiveness of Licit Rural Enterprises Expanding and diversifying licit income opportunities for Bolivian citizens includes technical assistance to businesses in the areas of production, quality control and marketing; improvements in the transportation infrastructure and expansion of rural electrification; and identifying new licit activities such as sustainable forestry, tourism, and coffee and tea production. Results measured over the past years show that these interventions are successful.
Additional USAID support in the Chapare and Yungas during 2004 included: 757 kilometers of road improvement and maintenance, 87 kilometers of stone paving (an economical and long lasting solution for improving Bolivian roads), the construction of 19 bridges and the installation of 331 kilometers of electrical distribution lines. In addition, the Government of Bolivia authority in charge of rural roads received assistance from USAID to maintain approximately 400 kilometers of key farm-to-market roads in high-traffic areas. USAID’s Yungas Community Development Fund utilizes discrete community-oriented projects to address needs such as improving potable water systems, establishing post-harvest coffee processing plants, and improving school and recreational facilities. These activities contribute to a broader Yungas Development Initiative. This initiative also focuses on significantly improving the infrastructure in the Yungas. Electrification efforts are expanding the electrical grid to serve an additional 344 communities in the Yungas, which will include coverage for more than 12,000 families. These infrastructure improvements are working to integrate a historically isolated area in the growing licit economy and the social fabric of Bolivia. More Effective, Transparent and Responsive Democratic Institutions USAID is working with municipal governments to increase their capacity to manage financial, material and human resources. These cooperative efforts enable municipalities to become more effective agents to promote sustainable and equitable economic and social development in their jurisdictions. Seven of the eight municipalities in the Yungas are receiving USAID assistance to improve their planning and budgeting skills, promoting methods for more participatory decision making, and establishing responsible oversight committees involving local civil organizations and citizens to improve transparency. During FY 2005, USAID is expanding its municipal government strengthening program to the Chapare. The goal is to enable local governments to become more participatory, responsive, transparent and more capable of managing their resources. Improved Basic Public Services and Social Conditions USAID also supports improving access to and provision of basic services such as health, justice, education, and potable water and sanitation. These needs are being addressed by working with a variety of partners including municipal and national government offices, non-governmental organizations, and community associations and farmers’ groups. Data Sheet
Summary USAID’s integrated development program provides technical assistance and training that complements the Bolivian Government's illegal and excess coca eradication and interdiction efforts. An integrated package of interventions is aimed at increasing licit sustainable economic development, underpinned by strengthened democratic and social development in coca growing and associated areas. Inputs, Outputs, Activities FY 2005 Program Develop and Expand Alternative Development. The program will be implemented through the following activities: Increase Private Sector Growth ($12,246,000 ACI). USAID will provide technical assistance to remove constraints to more efficient rural enterprises in the Chapare and Yungas regions through a market-led approach. Strengthening the competitiveness of selected product chains will be facilitated. Principal contractors to be determined. Improve Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and Biodiversity Conservation ($1,590,000 ACI). Technical assistance and training will be provided to approximately 1,000 new families in vulnerable areas including isolated buffer zones neighboring protected national parks. This assistance is intended to block the migration of coca cultivation to these areas of the Chapare and Yungas regions. Principal grantee is the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization. Protect and Increase the Assets and Livelihood of the Poor during Periods of Stress ($1,590,000 ACI). USAID will continue providing assistance to entities involved in land titling for about 16,000 families in the Chapare. Principal contractor is Chemonics International. Expand and Improve Access to Economic and Social Infrastructure ($19,464,000 ACI). USAID will provide technical assistance for community development in the Yungas and Chapare to improve social and economic conditions. USAID will support the Government of Bolivia's coca reduction strategy through road, electrification and gas initiatives in coca growing regions. Principal grantees are the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, and the Rural Roads Authority. Build Health System Capacity ($1,080,000 ACI). USAID will continue to provide technical assistance and training to reduce disease in underserved communities of the Chapare and Yungas regions. Assistance will focus on: reliable diagnosis and treatment for diseases and accidental injuries; public education to prevent disease spread; and cure and follow-up services for patients. Limited resources will also be used to improve child survival and reproductive health, dental health and the management and technical capabilities of local health networks. Principal contractors and grantees to be determined. Support Democratic Local Governance and Decentralization ($1,230,000 ACI). USAID will provide technical assistance to enhance the capacity of selected Yungas and Chapare municipalities to respond to the needs of underserved communities. Administrative, financial management, leadership, and business planning capacity will be strengthened, and decision-making roles in the development of the region enhanced. Principal contractor is the International City/County Management Association (prime). FY 2006 Program Develop and Expand Alternative Development. USAID plans to implement the following activities in the Chapare and Yungas regions. Contractors and grantees are not expected to change. Increase Private Sector Growth ($13,057,000 ACI). USAID will continue to provide technical assistance for competitiveness related activities to increase licit value, employment and income for around 5,000 new families. Efforts will be focused on service providers, trade systems and exporters. Improve Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and Biodiversity Conservation ($1,915,000 ACI). USAID will provide technical assistance and training to approximately 1,000 new families to increase family income through sustainable forestry and agro-forestry practices. Protect and Increase the Assets and Livelihood of the Poor During Periods of Stress ($911,000 ACI). USAID will provide technical assistance to land titling entities to issue approximately 4,000 titles. Expand and Improve Access to Economic and Social Infrastructure ($14,850,000 ACI). USAID will continue to provide technical assistance to improve social and economic conditions in the Chapare and Yungas regions. USAID will also finance road maintenance and improvement and expand electrification/gas services to benefit approximately 12,000 families. Build Health System Capacity ($1,414,000 ACI). USAID will continue to provide technical assistance and training to improve the health of residents by enhancing the public health system and private networks to address pressing health needs and manage health threats. Support Democratic Local Governance and Decentralization ($939,000 ACI). USAID will continue strengthening municipalities through technical assistance, training and capacity building. Protect Human Rights and Equal Access to Justice ($914,000 ACI). USAID will provide technical assistance through at least two integrated justice centers to provide residents with broad access to justice and knowledge about their rights and responsibilities. Performance and Results In the Chapare, USAID assisted 28,291 farm families through September 2004. The area of licit crops planted increased from 135,342 hectares in 2003 to 143,887 in 2004. The annual income for assisted families increased to approximately $2,390, which is $961 higher than farm income generated by families that did not receive support. The value of licit crops leaving the Chapare for the first nine months of 2004 was $33.2 million, 25% higher than in 2003. The value of private sector investment increased to $85 million in 2004. Bridge and road improvement/maintenance continued. The presence of the state also has been increased by financing health, land titling and administration of justice activities in closer collaboration with municipal governments. In the Yungas, close to 10,000 families received assistance for improved harvest and post-harvest techniques increasing their income by 40%. Electrical distribution lines, road construction and maintenance, and bridge construction was completed. A new justice center is providing access to justice with 200 cases having been resolved. Health services and student scholarships are being provided. By the end of the strategy period in 2009, illicit coca production in the Chapare and Yungas regions will be at negligible levels and hectarage of licit crops will be over 150,000 and permanent. The two regions will enjoy improved communications and energy infrastructure, health and justice services, and more effective and responsive municipal government. Data Sheet
Summary USAID’s program will increase confidence in Bolivia's democratic institutions and processes. The program provides technical assistance and training in order that: 1) justice sector institutions are more transparent, efficient, and accessible; 2) political representatives are more responsive to citizen demands; 3) local governments are more effective and efficient in responding to increased citizen demands; and 4) anticorruption efforts yield more transparent and effective government. State presence will be increased, especially in the Chapare and Yungas regions where illicit coca is grown. Inputs, Outputs, Activities FY 2005 Program Strengthen Democratic Political Parties ($306,000 DA, $550,000 ESF). Using DA, USAID will provide technical assistance in the analysis of issues to be discussed during the Constituent Assembly in reform of the Bolivian constitution. USAID will support the Congress in research, bill drafting, and discussion of key legislation. Assistance will be provided to newly formed citizen groups and indigenous communities that now participate in elections. Citizen education for democracy will continue, particularly aimed at high school students. Using ESF, USAID will work through a local nongovernmental organization (NGO) to: 1) consolidate and expand assistance to indigenous leaders within civil society organizations, focusing on conflict-prone regions; 2) enhance the participation of indigenous leaders in democratic processes; and 3) increase the understanding of emerging civil society indigenous leaders about political, economic, and social issues. ESF will also be used to complete two national democratic values surveys to assess the state of Bolivia's democracy as perceived by its citizenry, particularly in light of ongoing political and social instability around the country. These surveys will be used to help ensure that appropriate strategies are implemented by the U.S. Government. Survey results are also publicized to the broader Bolivian public. Implementing entities to be determined. Support Democratic Local Government and Decentralization ($1,100,000 DA). Technical assistance and training will strengthen municipal management, increase local revenue collection, and improve basic service provision and planning capacity in non-coca growing areas of Bolivia. The participatory municipal governance model will be expanded to include women and other under-represented groups and will be implemented in selected municipalities, with emphasis on economic development. The prime contractor is the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). Protect Human Rights and Equal Access to Justice ($640,000 DA, $1,450,000 ESF). DA will be used to fund technical assistance and training to replicate justice centers in non-coca growing, underserved areas of Bolivia. ESF will be used to support civil society organizations in monitoring and reporting on justice sector reform, including implementation of the Code of Criminal Procedures and the transparent appointment of court officials. Implementing entity to be determined. Develop and Expand Alternative Development ($4,464,000 ACI). Technical assistance and training will be provided to strengthen justice sector institutions, create the capacity within the Government of Bolivia to investigate and prosecute public corruption, strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations to create a solid base for advocacy for justice and other democratic reforms, and to strengthen local governance. USAID will also provide technical assistance and training to Congress, the Judiciary and universities to undertake commercial and administrative law reform. Anticorruption activities will include support for task forces to prosecute high profile corruption cases including narco-trafficking related cases such as money laundering. Activities are aimed at increasing the presence of the state and the responsiveness of government and community organization to address the needs of people living in coca growing and associated areas. Prime contractors and grantees are Partners of the Americas, ICMA, Casals and Associates, and others to be determined. FY 2006 Program Promote and Support Anticorruption Reforms ($123,000 DA). USAID plans to consolidate and replicate special Bolivian Government task forces created to help in the investigation and prosecution of major corruption cases. Implementing entity to be determined. Support Democratic Local Government and Decentralization ($2,650,000 DA, $1,050,000 ESF). Using DA, USAID plans to provide technical assistance and training to strengthen municipal management, increase local revenue collection, and improve basic service provision and planning capacity in non-coca growing areas of Bolivia. ESF is planned to be used to further expand and consolidate the participatory municipal governance model in additional municipalities, working with civil society and community groups. Prime contractors are ICMA and the Municipal Association Federation (a local organization). Strengthen Democratic Political Parties ($3,000,000 ESF). USAID plans to provide technical assistance in revising regulations to improve legislative functions and to assist political parties and/or citizen groups that demonstrate potential as long-term actors and show the political will to modernize. Implementing entity to be determined. Develop and Expand Alternative Development ($3,000,000 ACI). USAID plans to continue providing technical assistance to consolidate criminal justice system reforms, including commercial, administrative and civil reforms. Technical assistance and training is planned to enhance access to justice through continued support for integrated justice centers in the most conflictive and remote areas of the country, including the Yungas and Chapare regions where illicit coca is grown. Technical assistance to civil society organizations will expand a solid domestic base for wider and more sustainable civil society advocacy capacity to promote justice and other democratic reforms. Activities are aimed at providing strong government presence involving citizen participation to counter the negative effects that illicit activities have on democracy. Implementing entity to be determined. Performance and Results USAID's assistance has reduced the average length of criminal trials from seven to 18 months and the average cost from $2,400 to $600. Eight justice centers are providing conflict resolution and other justice services to underserved populations. USAID is assisting municipal governments to increase transparency and social inclusion in their management processes and promote economic development more effectively. Assistance was provided to the Congress in drafting and approval of legislation aimed at enacting new participatory initiatives, and constituent outreach mechanisms have been developed. A political party strengthening activity successfully involved all parties and several citizen groups that are participating in elections for the first time. A manual on democratic values for high school students was approved by the Ministry of Education. USAID also assisted in the establishment of task forces in three districts of the country to investigate and prosecute corruption cases. With the completion of this program, key Bolivian Government institutions will operate more effectively and transparently, and be more responsive to legitimate citizen demands. Citizens will have a much greater confidence in their political system and institutions of government. State presence will have increased, especially in the Chapare and Yungas regions where illicit coca is grown.
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