Urban Forests as Citizen Habitats for Climate Change Adaptation

The project “Urban Forests as Citizen Habitats for Climate Change Adaptation” seeks to establish a model for the co-management of urban and peri-urban forests in Tarija – Bolivia, using an Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EbA) approach. Tarija is recognized as the wine-growing heart of Bolivia, combining a rich cultural tradition with green hills landscapes traversed by the Guadalquivir River, reflecting its close connection to nature and its commitment to climate resilience.

Through the project, Helvetas and NATIVA, will provide assistance to strengthen governance mechanisms, generate knowledge, build institutional capacity, promote a culture of civic engagement, and create public-private management and co-management schemes for urban and peri-urban forests. These actions are conceived as interactive processes that facilitate joint, multifunctional, and co-responsible management of these natural urban ecosystems.

Key activities included:

• Formulation of urban policies and municipal and local management tools with an EbA focus for the urban and peri-urban forests co-management.
• Strengthening local governance mechanisms to establish how co-management, participation, and shared responsibility in decision-making are organized.
• Fostering a culture of civic engagement to strengthen the connection, participation, and responsible use of urban and peri-urban forest ecosystems.
• Capacity building among public officials and civil society organizations to strengthen the integrated co-management of urban and peri-urban forests.
• Identification of ecosystem services provided by urban and peri-urban forests for climate change adaptation.
• Conservation of urban and peri-urban forests as measures that contribute to reducing climate vulnerability and addressing water scarcity.

Project Achievements

1. Policies and instruments for the urban and peri-urban forests co-management developed. Produce at least three municipal or local technical documents establishing co-management frameworks for the five intervention areas.
2. Civic culture and governance. At least 400 citizens will be involved in governance and civic culture processes; to this end, activities will be developed to promote responsible use of these natural spaces.
3. Capacity building for the co-management of urban and peri-urban forests. University-certified training programs will be implemented to train at least 150 public officials (municipal and departmental) and representatives of civil society organizations in Tarija.
4. Design and implementation of a co-management strategy with an Ecological-Based Approach, including the identification and monitoring of ecosystem services in the project’s five intervention areas.