CReA - SP2 Water in Bolivia

CReA is an interdisciplinary research project with a transdisciplinary approach led by UCB. It works to reduce the socio-ecological vulnerability of rural and peri-urban communities across different regions of Bolivia. The project supports communities in generating knowledge, know-how, and practical tools to respond to, adapt to, and anticipate the challenges associated with socio-ecological changes, while fostering inclusive and sustainable solutions. The contribution to strengthening community resilience is achieved through the creation of Transdisciplinary Learning Communities (TLCs) in the regions of the four UCB campuses.

Bolivian communities face water scarcity in terms of quantity, quality, or both, mainly linked to inadequate water management. In addition, the growth of urban centres in recent decades has altered the needs and functioning of socio-ecological systems in rural and peri-urban areas. To address these changes and mitigate migration driven by community vulnerability, it is essential to study water management in an integrated manner, linking hydrogeological processes with water quality management, water use, and governance. In this context, the knowledge generated and the solutions developed through a TLC approach, within an integrated vision of water management, will enable communities to strengthen their resilience to social, economic, and legal vulnerabilities.