Strengthening the Network for Sustainable Development and Environment - Bolivia

Started in 2001, non-governmental organisation ' Bolivian Centre for Multidisciplinary Studies (CEBEM) has developed a strong portal and information network for sustainable development. Membership of the network increased unexpectedly to 13,000 members, 80% Bolivian and 20% foreign subscribers, making this one of the largest networks in Latin America. The portal provides information on environment and governance issues around sustainable development. Services include a specialised information bulletin and institutional and expert databanks. Members of the network provide most information. It is found that, despite efforts to gain income through membership fees and custom-made information services, the nature of the information seems not prone to possibilities for income generation. New ways to find support from the government are to be explored to ensure sustainability.

The Network for Sustainable Development and Environment - Red de Desarrollo Sostenible y Medio Ambiente (REDESMA) is established with the objective to enhance the exchange of information and knowledge on specialised themes between specialists and institutions from the government, non-gouvernmental, academic and private sector.

To support the information and knowledge exchange, the project will provide an electronic portal on activities in sustainable development and environment in Bolivia. Beneficiaries include academics, politicians, development workers, NGO and local governments. Participation of grass-root organisations and citizens in isolated areas are also encouraged to participate. Currently, REDESMA has 1,500 subscribers, of which 70% are found in Bolivia, 20% in Latin America and 10% in the rest of the world.

The network will focus on the improvement of existing services and the development of new electronic services offered through REDESMA, a network for sustainable deveopment and environment . The selection of services is based on a detailed market study among current and potential subscribers and include thematic newsletters and information on projects, events and conferences. In addition, services include a virtual library, a directory of institutions and experts in environment, discussion forums and electronic conferences. Other services are the design, hosting and maintenance of web sites.

Most information is developed by the same participants in the network, complemented by information collected by CEBEM. Currently, most subscribers are informed through 2-weekly messages by e-mail. The subscribers are stimulated to move to the services offered through the REDESMA website. For this, the current website of REDESMA will be converted into a leading environmental national portal, including a combination of static information, database driven information and interactive services.

The project enhances the democratisation of information and knowledge, enhance awareness and to stimulate the dialog between stakeholders in the areas of environment and sustainable development by using the internet. The diffusion and exchange is to take place between grass-root organisations, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions as well as the central government and departmental and local governments, contributing to the transparency of government. As such, the network aspires to be an instrument and contribute to poverty alleviation and participatory, equal and sustainable development.

Read more about IICD's approach towards Environment.

The project foresees in an increase in the membership of REDESMA from currently 1,500 to 7,000 subscribers in the fifth year. The market study among current and potential users has indicated that a full recovery of project costs is not feasible. To reach this number of beneficiaries and thereby fulfilling the objectives of wide access to and the democratisation of information, it is required to offer basic information services for free.

The Centro Boliviano de Estudios Multidisciplinarios (CEBEM) is a non-profit organisation who has been carrying out continuous research and capacity generation processes for different actors through training and information for knowledge using networks.

CEBEM is a leader institution in the country in the use of new technologies for education and exchange of information. Furthermore, CEBEM seeks to generate a balance between understanding reality, the generation of concrete products and training in all of their projects.