On Friday, 13 June, the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) marked a significant milestone in the implementation of the Pro-Election Bolivia project with the official signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with three key Bolivian civil society organisations. The ceremony was held at the ECES headquarters in La Paz, bringing together national partners dedicated to promoting democratic values, electoral integrity, and inclusive participation.
The MoUs were signed by ECES Founder and Executive Director, Fabio Bargiacchi, and the representatives of the following organisations:
-
Tania Sánchez, Coordinator of Coordinadora de la Mujer, a prominent feminist organisation that advocates for women's autonomous political participation and the integration of gender perspectives into public policies.
-
Natalia Pérez, Director of Fundación ARU, an independent research foundation known for its rigorous applied research supporting evidence-based policy development.
-
Ximena Freitas, President of Fundación Construir, signing on behalf of Red Observa Bolivia, a national civil society electoral observation network and lead organisation of the 2025 Citizen Electoral Observation Mission (MOEC).
These strategic partnerships are foundational to the Pro-Election Bolivia project, a European Union-funded initiative implemented by ECES, which aims to strengthen Bolivia’s electoral processes and mitigate risks of electoral-related violence in the lead-up to the 2025 general elections.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Bargiacchi underscored the importance of collaboration between civil society and electoral stakeholders in fostering transparent and peaceful elections. He expressed ECES’ deep appreciation for the trust placed in the organisation by its partners and reaffirmed the shared vision for a democratic Bolivia where all voices are represented.
Through these agreements, ECES and its partners commit to working jointly towards empowering citizens, enhancing electoral observation, and promoting institutional dialogue, ensuring that the 2025 elections are inclusive, credible, and conflict-free.
