According to scientific studies Bolivia, especially the Andean forest region, is one of the zones most vulnerable to the negative effects of climate change. It has been calculated that there will be a temperature increase of 2ºC by 2030 and up to 6ºC by 2100, along with changes in rainfall and drought patterns.

One of the paramount measures needed to build and boost resilience to the impacts of climate change in the country is to strengthen public and private institutions dedicated to applied research.

The country’s two main state universities are committed to addressing the issues around climate change  by working on applied research projects in the zones where they operate.

Nevertheless, there are challenges to setting up solid university systems that, on the one hand, promote applied research into how to tackle climate change where they operate and, on the other, establish funding and management mechanisms that are geared to this specific task.

Institutional beneficiaries:

Department of Research, Science and Technology (DICyT) – UMSS Cochabamba. Department of Research, Postgraduate Studies, Academic Management and Social Interaction (DIPGIS) – UMSA-La Paz.

The Executive Committee of Bolivian Universities (CEUB) Secretariat for Science and Technology (SINCyT) and institutes and university research centres belonging to the Bolivian University System (SUB).

Personal beneficiaries:

Primary or direct: 250 researchers, lecturers and technical staff from the Bolivian University System, 28 students conducting thesis research and scholarship recipients, 42 municipal support staff from local development units and/or projects related to ACC in the project catchment zones, of whom at least 40% are female.

End or indirect: Up to 2.5 million people living in zones vulnerable to climate change in the country’s Andean region who have directly or indirectly improved their knowledge and resilience.

Outcome 1)    University research system strengthened by developing capacities and funding mechanisms to do applied, integrated and transdisciplinary research projects on climate change adaptation taking a territorial and strategic approach.

Outcome 2)    The university’s research efforts are linked to and strengthened through national and regional specialist networks and actors.

Outcome 3)    Influence university research policy and local and national public policy regarding the challenges to tackling climate change.

Expected results:  

-    Research agendas from at least 3 academic institutions and/or the Executive Committee of Bolivian Universities’ National Secretariat for Science and Technology on climate change improved and aligned with public policy, and in force.

-    Knowledge about adapting to and mitigating climate change generated and disseminated jointly across disciplines to improve people’s resilience to CC in at least 3 prioritised regions (municipalities, autonomous territories, departments).

-    The latest research and CC adaptation methodologies, approaches and/or technologies are shared with national and international networks.

-    The research findings are systematised to be disseminated and used to influence public policy.

Results from previous phases:  

-    67 research projects focussing on 5 thematic areas related to climate change;

-    320 researchers from 14 universities with their research skills boosted;

-    25 external research institutions involved;

-    111 Research Project Partners involved in ACC research projects;

-    Bolivia's National Science, Technology, and Innovation System Plan 2017-2026 agreed on.

Universidad Mayor de San Andrés-La Paz (UMSA)

Universidad Mayor de San Simón-Cochabamba (UMSS)

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

Actors:    Vice-Ministry of Science and Technology, Executive Committee of Bolivian Universities, Plurinational Authority for Mother Earth, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).

Project:    Bioculture and Climate Change, Integrated Water Resources Management, Municipal Environmental Management.

Phase 2 01.10.2019 - 30.06.2023   (Completed)