Building Climate Advocacy from the Territories: Civil Society and Political Dialogue in Bolivia

Bolivia is currently facing multiple interconnected crises—climatic, environmental, water-related, and socio-economic—that are deeply affecting communities and ecosystems across the country. Against this backdrop, strengthening democratic dialogue between citizens and political decision-makers has become increasingly important to ensure that public policies respond to territorial realities and the growing impacts of climate change.

In this context, the Hanns Seidel Foundation, in strategic partnership with the Bolivian Platform on Climate Change (PBFCC), has supported a broad advocacy process aimed at strengthening climate governance and promoting public policies grounded in climate justice, territorial rights, and citizen participation.

Voices from the Territories: Climate and Democracy in the Electoral Context

As Bolivia prepared for the 2026 subnational elections, the PBFCC organized a series of Voices from the Territories forums to create spaces for dialogue between citizens, social organizations, and political candidates.

The first forum took place on February 20 in Cobija, Pando, bringing together candidates, indigenous and rural organizations, and representatives of civil society. Participants addressed key issues affecting the region, including the climate crisis, extractivism, water management, and food sovereignty. Candidates responded directly to territorial demands and presented their proposals and commitments to local communities.

A second forum was held on March 10 in Cochabamba, where gubernatorial candidates engaged in discussions with citizens on urgent challenges such as water governance, sustainable food systems, and climate resilience. The event provided an opportunity for indigenous peoples, rural communities, and social organizations to present their concerns and priorities, ensuring that local realities were reflected in the public debate.

Both forums concluded with the signing of public commitment agreements through which candidates pledged to address climate and environmental challenges at the subnational level, promoting more accountable and context-sensitive public policies.

Advancing a Climate Legislative Agenda

Beyond the electoral process, civil society organizations have also been working to strengthen climate advocacy within the national legislative arena.

On March 2 and 3, 2026, the Meeting for the Presentation and Dialogue on Strategic Bills for a Climate Agenda in Bolivia was held in La Paz. The event represented a key milestone in a process led by the PBFCC since September 2025, when indigenous organizations, social movements, environmental groups, and elected legislators initiated a joint effort to build a shared climate agenda.

The first day of the meeting focused on the final validation of legislative proposals and the preparation of civil society spokespersons. Through participatory discussions, representatives reviewed and strengthened five strategic bills that had been developed through extensive consultation processes involving territorial actors and social organizations.

The second day brought together approximately 35 elected assembly members, alongside indigenous peoples, youth representatives, environmental organizations, and civil society leaders. During the dialogue, participants agreed on a common legislative roadmap and presented five priority bills designed to address some of the country’s most pressing environmental challenges. These included the Law for the Protection of Forests and Other Systems of Life, the Climate Emergency Law, the Sustainable Development Law for the Northern Amazon “Bruno Racua,” the Public Management Law for Indigenous Autonomies, and the Water for Life Law.

The event concluded with the signing of a public commitment agreement through which legislators expressed their support for one or more of the proposed bills and committed to advancing them within parliamentary commissions. The dialogue reinforced the importance of collaborative climate governance and strengthened the relationship between organized civil society and the Legislative Assembly.

A Process that Continues

Each forum, dialogue, and advocacy space contributes to strengthening the role of indigenous peoples, women, youth, and civil society organizations in shaping Bolivia’s climate future. By creating opportunities for meaningful engagement between citizens and decision-makers, these initiatives help ensure that climate action is informed by territorial realities and grounded in democratic participation.

As Bolivia continues to confront the challenges posed by climate change, environmental degradation, and social inequality, building bridges between communities, political actors, and public institutions remains essential. Through sustained advocacy and collective action, civil society is helping to advance a more just, inclusive, and climate-resilient future for the country.