The majority of the rural population of Bolivia in the Andean Regions lives from agriculture. Degradation of soils, deforestation and the loss of biodiversity are causing water scarcity for agriculture and ranching, but also for human consumption, not only in the rural areas but also in the adjacent urban settlements. This is aggravated by the adverse impacts of the climate change, which manifest themselves first of all in an increased variability of precipitations: The consequences are an absence of precipitations on one side and inundations on the other.  This causes increasing insecurity concerning the availability of water and leads to violent conflicts in many cases. According to the international normative framework the access to water is a human right and a strategic resource. Since  2007 Bolivia is increasingly promoting investments in the water sector, which up to now have reached an amount of approximately 200 million US$. With the help of the international ODA an important part of these investments is implemented through the national plan for Watershed Management (NPW).  Presently the plan is in its 2nd phase (2013 – 2017).

Ultimate objective

The project contributes to improve the quality of life of the vulnerable population in the rural Andean zone and in small urban settlements.

Project objective

The project strengthens the resilience of rural families and of the population in small urban settlements with an improved water management considering the impacts of the climate change.

Indicator

With the conclusion of the project 62.500 families in the rural area and in small urban settlements of in total 40 water drainage areas in 4 departments of the Bolivian Andean Region have strengthened their resilience against the impacts of the climate change. Indirectly 300.000 families profit from the positive effects of the improved Watershed-Managements and the sustainable use of water and soils.

Direct beneficiaries: 62.500 families in 40 water drainage areas.

Indirect beneficiaries: 300.000 families in the rural area and in small urban settlements have been sensitised for the impacts of the climate change and a careful use of water and profit from a better availability and quality of water.

Outcome 1: Economic resilience

Prosperity of 30.000 families in rural areas and small urban settlements has been improved.

Outcome 2: Political and institutional resilience

Capacities of 4 department governments and 40 municipalities in integral Watershed-Management and in coping the adverse effects of climate change have been strengthened.

Outcome 3: Resilience of communities and families

The capacities of 62.500 rural families in 40 water drainage areas have been strengthened in 3 aspects: use of water and soils, organisation and influence on local politics concerning the integral use of water, adjustment of their production systems to climate changes.

Outcome 4. Ecological resilience

On 4.000 hectares of land the capacity of the ecosystems to cushion the adverse effects of the climate change could be improved by means of special actions.

Expected results:  

Investments in micro water drainage areas have been made and economic, social and ecological effects have been achieved. Thanks to participation and co-financing from local funds the financing is sustainable.

Local Watershed Management plans and strategies have been established with public participation. They prioritise investments, determine the mechanisms for co-financing and cooperation of local and national actors and the cooperation procedures for private and public stakeholders. 

Experiences in the management of micro water drainage areas and in the planning of strategic water drainage areas have been systemized. They contribute to a replication on national level and to a progression of sectorial policies.

Capacities of families in rural areas and in small urban settlements for an integral use of water and IWM have been strengthened.

Results from previous phases:  

Due to an improved water offer 38.000 of the 67.000 families who profit directly from the project, were able to increase their agriculture and livestock production and with it their incomes by at least 15%. The Vice-Ministry for Water Resources and Watering has improved national institutional capacities and strengthened the cooperation with department governments and communities. On department level institutional structures and plans for an integral Watershed-Management (IWM) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) have been elaborated. Plans and budgets on department level now also include the issue of integral water use in view of the climate changes.

Ministry of Autonomy ;

Office of Mother Earth in the Ministry of Environment and Water;

Department governments of Chuquisaca, Potosí and Tarija;

Members of the sectorial „water“ team of the providers coordination platform (Belgium, EU, Sweden, WB)

Projects of DEZA (PRRD, Biocultura, applied climate change research)

Phase 2 01.09.2014 - 31.12.2018   (Completed)