The European Community and Alternative Development in Bolivia: experiences and challenges

The European Community's current commitment to an Alternative Development Programme, in line with the National Drug Control Strategy, amounts to 30 million ECUs (equal to US$ 32,7 million). The Programme is divided into 3 components:

• The coca cultivation area of Chapare to receive 19 million ECUs (US$ 20,7 million) for official land registration, a line of credit for production, support to the three main municipalities, and environmental protection.
• Arque and Tapacar� in the Cochabamba valleys are to receiving 6 millions ECUs (US$ 6,5 million) for the hydro-agricultural and social development.
• Small mining in the Altiplano region to receive 5 million ECU's (US$ 5,4 million).

The main objective of the programme is to develop licit alternatives for coca producers, contributing to the reduction of coca cultivation.

Programme Supporting the Alternative Development Strategy in Chapare

The project will be implemented in the towns of Villa Tunari, Chimor�, Puerto Villarroel, Sinahota and Entre R�os, involving 30 thousand families extended over of 10,000 square kilometers. The expected duration of the programme is six years and its objectives are to contribute to the socioeconomic development of Bolivia in the illegal coca producing zones. Likewise, the programme will support the processes of decentralization and popular participation in the coca zones of Cochabamba, as well as provide strategic support to preserve and develop the region's natural resources.

To this end, the programme will focus on strengthen basic infrastructure; facilitate access to production credit; guarantee the right of agricultural property, and improve the management of natural resources. It is feasible to consider that the components of official land registration and infrastructure will benefit every family, whereas approximately 2,500 families will benefit from credits and around 10,000 from the environmental preservation component.

Development Programme for the Valleys of Arque and Tapacar�

According to surveys carried out between 1985 and 1989, more than two thirds of the population of Chapare come from the poorest provinces of the department of Cochabamba: Arque, Tapacar�, Bol�var, Mizque and Tiraque. There, work is determined by climate, which forces season or permanent emigration to Chapare. The majority maintain contact with their hometowns. Adults and youth normally emigrate to the Chapare for several months, whereas women and other family members remain in their communities.

The project aims to improve, in a sustainable manner, the possibilities of assuring the income and adequate life conditions for the inhabitants of Arque and Tapacar� within their communities, in order to reduce seasonal migration to the Chapare, thus contributing to the reduction of coca cultivation.

The main goals are to increase the agricultural production and obtain a marketable surplus, to reinforce local municipalities and thus increase their capacity for self-management, and improve social infrastructures qualitatively and quantitatively.

It is envisaged that agricultural development, soil conservation, and agro-forestry management will engage around 11,000 people, while activities for the implementation of social infrastructure will be channeled to the population of the two provinces (around 37,400 people). The programme will particularly benefit that most impoverished population.

Project for the Support of Small mining

The main objectives of this project are to increase earnings from small mining, by improving production conditions and diversifying income sources, by searching for other economic activities and by improving miners working conditions, particularly their security needs.

In addition, there will be an increase in the coverage of the social infrastructure and the capacity of management within municipalities as well as diminishing the negative impact of mining on the environment.

The programme will include several municipalities and mining centers in the departments of La Paz, Oruro and Potos�. In this effort, the municipalities of Unc�a, Chaynta, Llallagua, Huanuni, Machacamarca, Poop�, Colquiri and Coro-Coro have been designated as the Programme's potential beneficiaries.

The potential target population includes 140,000 people who will benefit from activities to improve the social infrastructure and protect the environment, while 8,000 miners will benefit directly from the mining.