Democracy and human rights
The key to Bolivia’s poverty problems is the creation of a credible state apparatus. Bolivia’s state institutions have long since been among the most fragile in Latin America. Major deficiencies in public institutions have led to widespread corruption and hampered government efforts to reduce poverty.
In the coming years, we will therefore support large-scale reforms to build up public administration. Greater capacity and transparency will strengthen the system’s mechanisms.
Education
We have been providing support to the education sector in Bolivia for many years. The overall target is for all Bolivian children to have the right to a satisfactory education. We are placing a particular focus on this cooperation so that girls and children with an indigenous background can complete their elementary education. In addition to our support of elementary schools, we are supporting the “Yo Sí Puedo” (“Yes, I can”) programme, the target of which is to eliminate illiteracy in Bolivia. Through IT centres in rural areas, the programme has reached areas where there have previously been no schools. About 1 million people have participated in the programme since 2005.
Environment and natural resources
Bolivia’s location between the Andean highlands and the areas close to the source of the Amazon makes the country sensitive to climate change. Already vulnerable people suffer droughts, forest fires and floods every year. We are co-operating for the kind of long-term environmental policy and use of natural resources that promotes sustainable development. Through UNICEF Bolivia, we have contributed towards clean water and basic sanitation in some of the country’s impoverished areas. The project has contributed to improved health conditions.
Research and Universities
Sida supports partners so that they better plan, produce and use research for development and economic growth. Sida’s intention is that Bolivia should be able to conduct their own research of international standard in areas that they have prioritised.
Each country has its own unique premises for development and economic growth thus it is central that the cooperation partner is able to generate and maintain expertise and knowledge in key areas.
Example of what Sida support in bilateral cooperation:
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Master- and PhD education in cooperation with Swedish and international partners
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Research councils
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Administrative reforms of universities
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Investments in infrastructure for example ICT, libraries and laboratories
Link to The Unit for Research Cooperations activities in Bolivia.
