Community Development Projects
As part of the USAID -sponsored Yungas Community Alternative Development Fund (YCADF), ACDI/VOCA works closely with local communities in the North Yungas, South Yungas, and Caranavi provinces in the Department of La Paz, Bolivia. Of the total funding, US$12,042,985 is designated for small community grants over the life of the project. Residents in targeted communities identify and prioritize both social and productive infrastructure projects designed to improve their standard of living. These projects, once approved by the Bolivian Vice Ministry of Alternative Development, USAID and ACDI/VOCA, move to the implementation phase.
The Yungas Community Alternative Development Fund provides access to social and economic infrastructure, giving identified comunities more choice in economic activities. The YCADF uses its successful community-driven approach to offer alternatives to rural communities in areas where coca production is on the rise. More than 220 community-based projects have been identified for development. Projects include support to the agricultural sector, support to the education and health sectors, community centers, and potable water and sewerage and drainage systems.
Farmers can not succeed without infrastructure support in the form of construction/repair of small bridges, farm-to-market roads, clinics, schools, crop storage facilities, small processing machinery, soil management, potable water and sewerage and drainage systems. If the goal is to increase the productive potential of those residing in the Yungas region of Bolivia, all aspects of community life must be addressed.
