Project
Strengthening Democratic Participation and Inclusive Local Development in Indigenous and Peasant Communities in Bolivia
- Bolivia
- August 2017
The project was implemented between 2014 and 2016 by the Fundación MicroJusticia Bolivia (MJB), a branch of Microjustice4All (MJ). The project objective was to legally and politically empower members and leaders of indigenous communities, women and men, in La Paz and Oruro to protect and exercise their civil and indigenous rights and participate in democratic decision-making processes. The project objectives included: an increase in the number of people holding basic legal documents; increased awareness in the target groups of the importance of having their basic legal documents (identity, legal, personality) in order; strengthened capacity of members, leaders and organizations of traditionally excluded indigenous communities to participate in democratic processes and to exercise their civil and indigenous rights; and improved access to basic legal documents through evidence-based inputs for institutional reforms through advocacy. The project was timely and relevant to participant needs and the political and cultural context in Bolivia. The potential impact could be extended beyond legal and political rights to also enhance socio-economic development once legalized communities are able to access government projects and resources. The project was cost-efficient and well managed. The project’s focus on community ownership contributed to sustainability of results, though Microjusticia’s own sustainability and ability to operate is dependent on additional external funding.
💡
- Rule of law
- Bolivia
- August 2017
Sustainability is the Achilles’ heel of democracy projects. To ensure the continuation of services beyond the end of project funding, projects need to plan for sustainability from the start, as design and implementation will require: creative partnerships with civil society and State organizations; careful analysis of the level of demand and willingness to pay; the creation of a cadre of competent professionals able to provide continuous service; and empowerment of community members to provide orientation or counsel, as feasible.
💡
- Rule of law
- Bolivia
- August 2017
Relationship building with State agencies must take place at different levels. While the grantee focused its advocacy activities on the high-level officials responsible for making policy decisions, it is equally important to work with staff of lower hierarchy given the important role they play in implementing policy. That is, enhanced trust and coordination with the lower level staff who work on identity registration processes on a daily basis helped facilitate the review process and improve the overall treatment of the community members.
💡
- Rule of law
- Bolivia
- August 2017
Alliances with law schools provide a number of win-win benefits. On the one hand, the CSO can lower costs, expand reach and improve service quality through recruitment of students who are motivated and familiar with the target communities. Additionally, the students are given the opportunity to test their theoretical knowledge in a practical setting as well as gain experience that can benefit their career prospects.
💡
- Rule of law
- Bolivia
- August 2017
When properly designed and carefully implemented, legal services projects can combine sensitivity to traditional customs in this case of indigenous groups with principles such as human rights and gender equality. To a great extent, achieving this delicate balance hinges on the service provider’s local knowledge, respect for traditions, ability to build trust, and use of appropriate language and communication channels.
💡
- Rule of law
- Bolivia
- August 2017
Legal services projects can produce benefits both in terms of the “ends” – securing legal recognition- as well as through the “means” – process developed. Obtaining collective and individual legal identity is fundamental for human rights and democratic participation. At the same time, the process of applying for collective identity—through reflection and drafting of by-laws and internal regulation—can strengthen community organization, empower community leaders and open opportunities for socio-economic development.