The purpose of the publication is to assemble the experiences of Fundación TIERRA and extract the lessons learned during 12 years of working with peasants and indigenous peoples in Bolivia . Fundación TIERRA which was created in 1991, is a private, non-profit institution promoting rural development and advocating democracy in access, tenure and use of natural resources, especially land.

It has designed two action strategies aimed at acquiring more equal access to land: (a) systematization of proposals for rural development, and (b) strengthening the bargaining power of rural populations and facilitating their participation in decision-making processes.

Fundación TIERRA, through research, formulation of policy recommendations, communication, training and social participation, has reduced the gap between governmental institutions and the rural poor. For this reason the Land Coalition chose TIERRA as one of the two cases - the other being the Uganda Land Alliance - to be used for the collection and promulgation experiences to support other civil society groups in achieving similar objectives.

Lessons learned, among others:

1. One of TIERRA's main lines of action is research, not as an academic process, but as a tool for sharing valid, up-to-date and relevant information to create joint proposals for addressing identified problems. Fundación TIERRA has become an institution specialized in agrarian problems and as such is frequently consulted by the state, churches, international cooperation agencies, researchers, academics and the media; but in the main is a focal point and a source of information for indigenous organizations at local and regional levels.

2. Apart from the strategic research on land access in the plains, valleys and altiplano , Fundación TIERRA provides support for conflict resolution. It undertakes specific case studies in geographical areas having high levels of conflict on land issues.

3. Fundación TIERRA provides free advice to many peasants on a daily basis on court cases concerning agrarian issues. The organization obtains personal documents and brings land titles up to date (cases of violation of citizen rights ). This has allowed Fundación TIERRA to acquire a large portfolio of important institutional experiences for use in the formulation of public policies.

4. The regional offices were opened after agreement was reached between the provincial peasant trade unions, University Law School and Fundacion TIERRA. Apart from offering legal advice for personal and property documents, they provide support to the agricultural trade union organizations by acting as legal advisers.

5. From the outset, Fundación TIERRA has defined general communication criteria such as identifying the institutional message, defining the public sectors public to whom this message will be aimed, and selecting the most appropriate sources of media through which to broadcast that message. It has also emphasized the need to identify those leaders of public opinion sensitive to rural problems, lobbying through journalists, media directors and students of the Bolivian rural social sector. The aim is to create for a for debate and exchange of ideas with rural development experts.

6. Local leaders who have been trained by Fundación TIERRA in agrarian law, participation, technical, political and administrative rights, duties and procedures, are now ready to carry out internal retitling within their communities and exercise control over the legal processes

7. Empowerment means transmitting the process of negotiation with state and local decision-making bodies to peasants, settlers and indigenous peoples to permit them to participate in decisions affecting their development. Fundacón TIERRA recognizes the facilitator role of NGOs who can promote adjustments and denounce irregularities, keeping watch over the human rights of Bolivian peasants and indigenous peoples. Based on these premises, Fundación TIERRA has implemented an intervention strategy using a number of action scenarios, from the perspective of strengthening alliances and maintaining the ability to relate to different national and international stakeholders. To assume a reliable role an NGO must show transparency and credibility .

Use of knowledge and strategy for its dissemination :

The publication depicting Fundación TIERRA's experience has been published in English and Spanish; copies of this book have been distributed to the Land Coalition members attending the Second Global Assembly held in March of this year.