Knowledge Management Through Local Community Development - Bolivia

Main objective of this project is to deploy the potential of centres for alternative education in Potosí and La Paz provinces focusing on vocational training and information management in livelihood opportunities.

The project on knowledge management for local and community development by the Comisión Episcopal de Educación (CEE) is implemented with funding from SDC (COSUDE). It covers two centres for alternative education in the departments of La Paz and the north of Potosí. The project addresses production opportunities for smallholders, in which vocational training is perceived as the key issue. The project aims to tune in with the current political lines in Bolivia of decentralisation and interculturalidad. In the pilot phase only the Bolivian highlands will be targeted through aforementioned telecentres.

An interactive CD is currently being developed in close collaboration with Educatic.

COSUDE is interested in continuing its support to the project, as is IICD in the framework of the C4C consortium. Focus will be on strengthening the operation of the telecentres, development of relevant curriculum, and opening up new telecentres.

The Bolivian SDC office requested for consultation in the education sector. SDC is working on an adult education programme with the Comisión Episcopal de Educación (CEE), a church related institution in Bolivia via 50 adult education centres. SDC believes that the institution could make more effective use of ICT, but this is not yet realized because of lacking experience. IICD has broad experience in ICT and education in similar local contexts. Building on former experiences, IICD has assisted by facilitating a small-size roundtable with the programme partners to seek possible applications of ICT to strengthen adult education. IICD has also provided support to the partners in project formulation. Herein, collaboration with local IICD partners, who have experience in the Bolivian context, was very beneficial to support the institution in thinking through how to use ICT in adult education. The projects that come out of the Round Table workshop will be financed by SDC. 

The project on knowledge management for local and community development by the Comisión Episcopal de Educación (CEE) has started in Q3 2009, with funding from SDC (COSUDE). It currently covers two centres for alternative education in the departments of La Paz and the north of Potosí. The project ultimately addresses production opportunities for smallholders, in which vocational training is perceived as the key issue. In the pilot phase only the Bolivian highlands will be targeted through Centros Productivos Comunitarios (CEAs).

The project has kicked off with the organisation of two roundtables in the targeted municipalities of Jesús de Machaqa and Uncía. Purpose of these roundtables was to formulate goals and to identify end users’ needs.

The two telecentres in Jesús de Machaqa and Uncía have been equipped with hardware and are operational. In both centres an n-computing network has been installed.

Trainings are taking place, but slower than anticipated. For that reason the current project period had been extended until December 2010.

A connectivity study has been fielded to investigate options for affordable connectivity solutions. Given the isolated position of the two telecentres satellite connectivity is the only option at the short run. Clients for shared connectivity, to be implemented in the next phase, are currently being identified.

An interactive CD is currently being developed in close collaboration with Educatic.

Some attention has been given to improving the sustainability of the two telecentres, notably by closely involving the respective municipalities. Also, a (very small) use fee is charged to users of the two centres.

The current, first, project phase has expired by the end of December 2010.

CEE will possibly be a partner in the new C4C sector programme on education in Bolivia.

• To deploy the potential of centres for alternative education in Potosí and La Paz provinces focusing on vocational training and information management in livelihood opportunities.

Basic ICT skills of end-users of the two telecentres have been improved.

Read more about IICD's Bolivia Country Programme.

A report on the first M&E results is expected.

The Comisión Episcopal de Educación (CEE) is the organ of the Conferencia Episcopal Boliviana (CEB) that coordinates, monitors and supervises educational services offered by the Catholic church in Bolivia. These educational services cover various types of education, both regular and vocational, and at various levels.