Promoting the development of resilient cities in Bolivia

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The project is designed to address the challenges of unplanned urbanization and reduce disaster risk in Bolivia by enhancing access to resilient urban infrastructure. This initiative aims to strengthen infrastructure resilience, addressing key contributors to urban poverty and informality while improving living conditions for the most vulnerable populations, including women, indigenous groups, and the elderly. By reducing susceptibility to climate-related risks, the project also bolsters urban policy and institutional capacity at both local and national levels to address the economic, social, and environmental challenges of rapid urbanization in Bolivia.Building on the successes of the Urban Resilience Project (URP) and ongoing technical assistance from the Swiss Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), the initiative represents a significant step forward in advancing the urban resilience agenda. It focuses on refining long-term institutional frameworks and supporting lower-capacity local governments through the well-established National Regional Development Fund (FNDR).Aligned with government strategies to promote sustained and efficient public investment, particularly for marginalized and underprivileged communities, the proposed Multiphase Programmatic Approach (MPA) takes a comprehensive approach to urban development and disaster risk management (DRM). The program is structured into three overlapping phases, each implemented as Investment Project Financing Operations, leveraging lessons learned from earlier stages to progressively refine and expand impact:Program Phases:Phase 1 (Current IPF): Focuses on three high-capacity cities with established project execution units that have a proven track record in implementing externally financed projects. These cities are equipped with well-defined project portfolios that are ready for immediate implementation, ensuring a swift start to the program.Phase 2: Expands the program to include 2-3 low- to medium-capacity cities, with the FNDR acting as the Project Implementation Unit (PIU). This phase emphasizes strengthening the FNDR's capacity to serve as a Financial Intermediary (FI), preparing it to take on a more prominent role in managing project financing and implementation in a subsequent phase.Phase 3: Scales up the program by positioning the FNDR as both a PIU and a Financial Intermediary (FI), extending sustainable financing solutions to a broader range of municipalities, including those with limited institutional and technical capacity. This phase aims to enhance FNDR’s role in supporting an expanded list of municipalities (to be defined) through tailored financial and technical assistance.This strategic phasing ensures that each stage of the MPA builds upon the successes of the previous one, maintaining continuity, addressing immediate needs, and preparing for future challenges. This approach ensures the sustainability of urban development efforts across Bolivia, reinforcing a resilient and inclusive urban environment.