Round-off Votabus campaign for youth launched in La Paz

On 14 October, the II Votabus Campaign was launched in La Paz. The VotaBus is an innovative initiative that travels to different cities in Bolivia to promote informed democratic participation through art, games, and dialogue. Its objective is to bring the values ​​of democracy to young people in a creative, inclusive, and engaging way. Following the first experience on 17 August, general polls of the Votabus campaign in 6 cities and 5 departments, through a joint effort between ECES and Fundación Construir and several youth groups, the Konrad Adenauer has partnered for the presidential round-off of 19 October in La Paz and El Alto with the support of the European Union in Bolivia.

Students from UNIFRANZ and UMSA, along with ADESPROC Libertad members, embarked on an interactive journey across La Paz on buses, sharing reflections, experiences, and interactive activities that invite reflection on the power of voting and civic responsibility. They concluded their trip at the Fair of Democracy, where they visited various stands to quiz their democratic knowledge. ECES´s Bolivian partners, including the OEP, Fundación Construir, Defensoría, and the EU EOM Bolivia 2025, shared their mandates and functions to support the ongoing election process from their stands.

The European Union Ambassador opened the Votabus and highlighted the European Union's commitment to promoting democratic values ​​and civic participation, recognising the value of projects like the VotaBus in strengthening cultural and democratic ties between Europe and Bolivia. KAS and Construir directors, ECES coordinator, and the DCO of the EU EOM Bolivia 2025 delivered opening remarks that recognised active youth participation.

The II Votabus take in the song of the election ´Mi voto, mi voz´by the Alwa/Leo Camargo artist duo representing the Colla and the Campa cultures (East and West) to promote electoral integrity, responsibility and peaceful elections, building on ECES' experience in other countries.

The European Union leads international efforts in support of the 2025/26 Bolivian electoral process, including the EU EOM Bolivia 2025 and the ECES-implemented PRO-Elección Bolivia project, both carried out through the Foreign Policy Instrument (FPI), along with other election-related projects supported by the EU Delegation to Bolivia.