Bolivia
Supporting Young Entrepreneurs
Having a stable, livelihood-sustaining job is not a given in Bolivia. Due to a lack of job opportunities, many young people are trying their hand at entrepreneurship. However, this is rarely driven by optimism about their prospects, but rather as a pure survival strategy. To achieve sustainable entrepreneurial success, they lack the necessary technical and leadership skills, as well as access to start-up capital and loans. That is why we support young people in the cities of El Alto, Oruro, and Santa Cruz by providing them with the necessary tools, resources, and networks to become successful small business owners.
Background
In Bolivia, a large portion of the population works in the informal sector due to a lack of alternative opportunities. This means they engage in economic activities that are not recorded, regulated, or taxed by the government. The regional challenges leading to this situation are diverse and are evident in our three project cities.
El Alto has a rapidly growing and young population, but also one of the highest poverty rates in the country. Oruro suffers from economic stagnation and outmigration following the decline of its once-dominant mining industry. Although Santa Cruz is a Bolivian economic hub, it is marked by significant inequalities. Many young people in the suburbs, in particular, rely on informal employment.
Many of them—including, in many cases, indigenous entrepreneurs from disadvantaged regions—turn to entrepreneurship due to a lack of prospects and as a survival strategy. However, they lack the necessary technical and leadership skills, and access to start-up capital and loans is severely limited. As a result, they work in sectors with low productivity and poor working conditions that offer little growth potential and make it difficult to secure their own livelihoods.
Häufig gefragt
What does ChildFund Germany stand for, and what is the goal of its work?
Our goal is to bring about lasting improvements in the future prospects of children in need, their families, and their entire communities. Through our commitment to these children and families, we aim to make a positive difference and create lasting improvements, always guided by the principle of helping people help themselves. This enables them to exercise their rights, overcome poverty and dependency, and lead independent and self-determined lives.
How can I be sure that my donation actually reaches its destination?
The efficient use of the donations entrusted to us is our top priority. To ensure that our aid is used in a highly targeted manner, we rely on close collaboration with local partner organizations in all the countries where we operate, so that our assistance meets the specific needs on the ground. Furthermore, all our support is guided by the principle of helping people help themselves. This ensures that the people in our projects benefit from long-term and lasting changes and, in the long run, no longer depend on aid but can live independently and self-determinedly. Our transparent and responsible handling of donations is also confirmed by the DZI Donation Seal, which we have been awarded continuously since 1995 by the German Central Institute for Social Issues.
How does ChildFund Germany work?
Our work is made possible by three sources of funding: sponsorships, other donations, and public funds. Our projects funded by sponsorships are designed for the long term. They are characterized by particularly close collaboration between our partner organizations in the respective project country and the local communities.
The donation-based and publicly funded projects have a shorter duration. Due to the limited timeframe, these projects require more intensive planning and support on our part.
In all projects, ChildFund plays two specific roles: First, raising funds so that the project work can be implemented at all. And second, bringing together and building bridges between those who provide money and expertise and those who lack these resources. The goal is to maximize mutual benefit from the collaboration and to advance our projects in the most effective way possible.
What kinds of projects does ChildFund Germany carry out?
Our projects, which are funded through sponsorships, are designed for the long term. They are characterized by particularly close collaboration between our partner organizations in the respective project country and the local communities.
The donation-based and publicly funded projects have a shorter duration. Due to the limited timeframe, these projects require more intensive planning and support on our part.
What regions and issues does ChildFund Germany focus on?
We operate in various countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. Our work focuses primarily on education, nutrition, livelihood support, and child protection, as well as humanitarian aid in emergency situations. Issues such as health and climate protection are also central to many of our projects.
How can I support ChildFund Germany?
There are many different ways to support our work. From a one-time donation to a regular donation as a “Future Donor” to becoming a sponsor, you are free to choose the form of support that best suits you. Long-term and particularly sustainable support can also take the form of a foundation or a bequest. We also offer a range of customized support options for businesses and schools.