DEMOCRACY
Increased Citizen Confidence in Democratic Institutions and Processes

Through its Democracy Program, USAID supports Bolivia in its efforts to strengthen the country’s democratic system and increase transparent and effective governance consistent with the Inter American Democratic Charter of the Organization of American States.  USAID collaborates with key democratic institutions, including the Executive Branch; the Judicial Branch; the Congress; and regional and municipal governments to help improve effectiveness and transparency, increase access to improved services, and enhance citizen participation.  USAID also works with civil society organizations to strengthen their ability to perform their critical democratic role.  Activities emphasize inclusion of indigenous people and women; pluralistic debate; and increased transparency of elections, elected officials and government institutions. The Democracy Program directly supports the Bolivia Democratica pillar of the National Development Plan (PND) of the Government of Bolivia.

The program provides technical assistance, training and equipment to achieve the following results:

Decentralization: Improved Democratic Systems and Governance

Through a variety of approaches, USAID democracy activities seek to:

• Support decentralized governments, including the departmental governments, to plan and deliver services effectively and democratically;

• Strengthen revenue raising, financial management, and economic development capacity of the departmental governments; and 

• Strengthen civil society to participate democratically in the political process and support pluralistic debate.

Furthermore, USAID programs work closely with over 160 municipalities in implementing projects in many sectors including health, local economic development, sustainable resource management and infrastructure.

Improving Democratic Representation:  Support for the Congress, Political Parties, and Civil Society

USAID support seeks to strengthen the understanding of the representation function of elected public officials and the electorate.  Activities address key challenges facing the Congress through training and technical assistance to improve Congress members’ ability to legislate effectively and respond to citizens’ needs.  USAID has assisted in empowering the women legislators' caucus, and in training first-time indigenous legislators.  USAID has also helped the Congress to develop a five-year strategic institutional strengthening plan.  At the request of Congressional leadership, USAID and a group of other donors are supporting a plan to develop a research and analysis capability for Congress and systematize past legislation.  USAID funding for the U.S. party institutes has supported work with all of the major political parties to train members and democratize internal processes.

Justice System: Improved Transparency, Efficiency and Accessibility of Justice Services

USAID provides technical assistance and training to justice sector institutions to implement criminal justice reforms, promote better access to justice, and train justice system officials.  USAID supports a more transparent and effective Constitutional Tribunal, through better information technology and dissemination of court decisions.  The program provides support to a network of about 100 Bolivian NGOs to strengthen civil society advocacy for a more transparent, independent and accessible justice system, with emphasis on women, indigenous and other most vulnerable groups.  A priority initiative has been working with the Bolivian government to establish eleven Integrated Justice Centers (IJCs) located in the some of the most conflictive areas of the country.  These centers provide accessible, affordable justice services to poor and isolated populations. 

Program Impact

• Over 3,000 volunteer observers trained to monitor voting sites in the December 2005 and July 2006 elections.

• Integrated Justice Centers have resolved over 60,000 cases since January 2005.

• The Constitutional Tribunal website has received over 1.3 million visits since 2003.

• Economic Development Plans created for El Alto, La Paz, and Cochabamba.

• Conflict management systems established in La Paz, Cochabamba and Chuquisaca regional governments.

• Public hearings and interactive radio programs strengthened Congress members’ contacts with constituents.

• A gender-focused legislative agenda developed with the Women Legislators’ Caucus.

• Citizens educated on experiences from other countries in preparation for Bolivia’s Constituent Assembly.

• Training provided in negotiation, conflict resolution, media relations, and political processes for civil society leaders and members of all major political parties to help prepare them to participate in the constituent assembly process as candidates, delegates or observers.