This project aims to improve the social and economic well-being in communities where there are industrial extractive activities. The project provides resources to regional and municipal governments and their communities to improve their ability to identify, plan and manage projects that contribute to local development. This project also supports partnerships that bring together governments, communities, civil society organizations and private sector companies to support local development. This project is part of the Andean Regional Initiative – Promoting Effective Partnerships for Local Development – which is also implemented in Peru and Colombia. This project has three components: (i) institutional capacity building to help local governments plan, manage and implement sustainable development investments and associated public services based on community needs; (ii) knowledge sharing to develop and share knowledge on corporate social responsibility methods, results, lessons learned and best practices; and (iii) setting up Local Funds that support local initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable community development in partnership with the private sector/extractive companies. The following local development sub-projects have been implemented through the Local Fund in Bolivia: (1) Increasing competitiveness of the llama meat value chain in Southern Potosi, implemented by SOCODEVI, with a total budget of $ 903,217 over three years (including Canada’s contribution of $451,024 and other financial contributions: Pan American Silver: $361,977, municipalities: $81,502, communities: $8,714). This sub-project aims to improve the incomes of 350 families from 11 communities in four municipalities in the southern part of the Department of Potosí. SOCODEVI is fostering strategic alliances with communities, municipal governments, and Pan American Silver to promote sustainable production, transformation and commercialization of llama meat. The sub-project focuses on improving the ability of llama breeders and their producer’s association to better raise llamas and process llama meat, with the purpose of supporting a sustainable and inclusive llama meat value chain. (2) Sustainable development of organic quinoa production in the communities of Colcha K, implemented by CECI with a total budget of $999,800 over three years (including Canada’s contribution of $496,494 and other financial contributions: San Cristobal: $402,904, municipality: $40,104, communities: $11,458). This sub-project aims to improve income and food security of 400 families in the municipality of Colcha K in the Department of Potosí. CECI is fostering strategic alliances with communities, municipal governments and the San Cristobal Mine to promote sustainable production, transformation and commercialization of organic quinoa. The sub-project is training families to sustainably grow and manage their quinoa crop, strengthening the commercialization capacities of the local producer association and improving coordination between farmers and local government. (3) Improving milk production in communities of Viacha, implemented by CECI, with a total budget of $1,021,857 over three years (including Canada’s contribution of $ 499,999, and other financial contributions: SOBOCE: $ 475,160, municipality: $ 38,948, communities: $ 7,751). This sub-project aims to improve the incomes of 778 families in the municipality of Viacha, Department of La Paz. CECI is fostering strategic alliances with communities, municipal governments and SOBOCE (the Bolivian Cement Company) to promote sustainable commercial milk production. The sub-project is contributing to increasing forage areas, constructing productive infrastructure, improving marketing skills and providing technical assistance in milk production. (4) Improvement of the Fish Production Chain for the benefit of Indigenous Weenhayek communities of Tarija, implemented by Fundación FAUTAPO with a total budget of $1,394,332 over 2.5 years (including Canada’s contribution of $475,000 and a contribution by Shell of $450,000). This sub-project aims to improve the living conditions of 300 families that belong to the indigenous group called Weenhayek, located in the Municipality of Villa Montes (Department of Tarija). To improve household income, the initiative will focus on providing technical assistance in fishing and storage techniques, and constructing fish-farm pools and a small processing plant. In addition, a fishing cooperative will be supported, building its capacity to manage the project in the long run. (5) Sustainable Development of Vicuña Breeding and Tourism in Los Lipez, implemented by Conservation International with a total budget of $1,342,223 over 2 years (including Canada’s contribution of $630,812 and a contribution of $570,335 by Minera San Cristobal). This sub-project aims to improve the incomes of approximately 700 families, located in the municipalities of Colcha K and San Pablo (Department of Potosí). To achieve these results, the project will increase volumes of vicuña fibre production through improved shearing skills for the production of textiles and handicrafts (vicuñas are members of the llama/camelid family). Regarding tourism development, community-based services and products will be developed and local tourism planning and governance will be strengthened.
