54 years Swiss bilateral cooperation in Bolivia

After 54 years of supporting the country's development, the Swiss bilateral cooperation definitively concluded its work in Bolivia on June 30, 2024, through a responsible closure process. During these years, the Swiss Cooperation has implemented more than 150 projects and has invested around USD 750 million, always with the objective of supporting efforts to improve the lives of the most vulnerable Bolivian population. We hope that these Swiss contributions will endure over time and continue to strengthen the efforts of the Bolivian State and the various actors working in the country, to move towards sustainable and inclusive development.

Front page of the magazine 54 years of development cooperation
Front page of the magazine 54 years of development cooperation © SDC

Since 1969, the approaches and priorities of the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) have been adjusted to the context and needs of the country in close collaboration with various public and private actors, in areas such as economic development from an integrated perspective, preservation and management of natural resources and the environment, resilience to climate change, governance and human rights, as well as culture and development. The work of the SDC was highly recognized because it showed a long-term commitment to Bolivia's priorities. It was able to address different problems and generate new areas of action over time. The SDC applied a logic of action based on long-term support, resilience in complex situations, sustainability and the building of bridges between the diversity of actors in Bolivia. Switzerland recognized and valued, at all times, the participation of stakeholders in each of its programs and projects. Training opportunities and exchange of experiences consolidated Switzerland's contribution. The work was linked to universities, civil society, associations and producers.

Many lessons learned in Bolivia will influence programs on issues such as water, climate change and disaster prevention that will continue to be implemented at the regional level from the Swiss Cooperation Office in Lima - Hub Lima. Through the Lima Hub, Switzerland will also provide humanitarian aid in Bolivia in case of disasters through the Rapid Intervention and Support Group (GIAR), which is a decentralized rapid response instrument of the SDC for Latin America and the Caribbean.

The closing process of the SDC in Bolivia was accompanied by a Communication and Knowledge Management Plan. Switzerland's contributions to the country's development are systematized in the following documents, with the aim of serving as a reference and inspiration for future development actions in the country.

 

Documents mostly in Spanish.