CEAE partners with Fundación Construir for Citizen Observation Mission (MOEC - Observa Bolivia)

As part of the European Union-funded PRO-Election Bolivia project, the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES/CEAE) – operating in Latin America as Centro Europeo de Apoyo Electoral (CEAE) – held a series of strategic planning meetings with the management of Fundación Construir in La Paz. The aim was to coordinate technical assistance for the launch and implementation of the citizen-led electoral observation mission, Observa Bolivia, in the lead-up to Bolivia’s general elections scheduled for 17 August 2025.

During the initial meeting, CEAE experts and Fundación Construir management discussed collaboration frameworks to enhance electoral transparency, conflict prevention, and adherence to democratic standards. By leveraging its expertise in electoral conflict mitigation and stakeholder coordination, CEAE aims to empower Observa Bolivia’s EOM ​ through tailored assistance, including capacity-building activities and the deployment of methodologies aligned with international best practices. This partnership marks a key step in CEAE’s contribution to Bolivia’s 2025 electoral cycle, underlining its strategic role in fostering a peaceful, inclusive, and credible electoral process.

A second working session further strengthened institutional cooperation. CEAE representatives joined Fundación Construir and members of the Observa Bolivia network – including specialists in politics, economics, gender, and human rights – to analyse the current socio-political and economic landscape of Bolivia. Discussions focused on how prevailing social tensions and economic challenges could impact the upcoming electoral process. During the event, Luis Castellar, the Project Coordinator for Pro-Election Bolivia, delivered an address urging the network to establish a citizen electoral observation mission as soon as possible. He emphasized CEAE's commitment to supporting this initiative, highlighting the essential role of independent citizen observation in strengthening democratic processes. The session concluded with participants agreeing to develop a comprehensive roadmap for the implementation of the citizen observation mission, with CEAE pledging to provide technical assistance and training support for volunteer observers across all nine departments of Bolivia.