Project Description

People who make a living collecting and selling recyclable products in Bolivia face high levels of discrimination, because the majority of residents see these “recyclers” as working in unsanitary conditions, despite the work providing environmentally-friendly livelihoods to groups with few economic opportunities. At the IAF, we support community-led solutions to creating economic opportunity and social inclusion for underserved populations in Bolivia, including women, youth, and indigenous people, who are more likely to take on stigmatized work like recycling. Fundación Amigos de la Responsabilidad Social Empresarial (AMIGARSE) will work with approximately 40 recycler associations in five departments (Chuquisaca, La Paz, Santa Cruz, Sucre and Santa Cruz) to strengthen links among the recycler associations and advocate for public policies and programs that recognize and support an inclusive, community-based recycling sector. It will also work with the Red de Recolectores Santa Cruz to test the first phase of a community-based recycling enterprise model, transforming recycling associations into economic and social enterprises that provide environmental and solid waste management services to the public and private sector.

Talk about community-led development!