Description

One of the most pressing environmental sustainability concerns in Bolivia is soil erosion from overgrazing and poor cultivation methods, including slash and burn agriculture. Over the past few decades, use of chemical fertilizers and overexploitation of renewable resources has all but destroyed the sustainability of agricultural lands in the Cochabamba region by creating a gaping deficit between nutrients added and nutrients taken from the soil. Due to the very poor soil quality, local agricultural communities surrounding Cochabamba produce consistently low crop yields year after year, afflicting the health of local farmers, their children, and the land they live on.

Alternatively, FSD supports grassroots environmental organizations that listen to and reflect the needs of struggling rural farmers and community members hit hard by the current conditions. Interns and volunteers work to improve the sustainable management of soil, water, and land use. An overreaching goal of our environmental sustainability program is to create public awareness and conduct outreach projects that offer easily integrated solutions. This is done through several channels, from working directly with the local university to teach courses and offering farmers micro-loans, to cultivating new water, irrigation, and sewage systems. By strengthening Cochabamba’s natural capital and educating/empowering rural communities, FSD aims to support the development of a strong, sustainable agricultural economy and ensure proper use of land in the present and the future.

Highlights

Interns, volunteers, and donors work with FSD to:

1) Assist professors at the local university who teach undergraduate and post graduate classes in the sustainable management of natural resources, while supporting research into new practices and technology of agro-ecology preservation.

2) Investigate and implement cost-effective approaches to improve community habitats through ecological sanitation systems, composting, and proper management of water systems.

3) Raise awareness in society and the government about sustainable management of natural resources for the increased production and consumption of ecologically aware products.

4) Implement sustainable agriculture and ecology projects at local schools. Projects include crop diversification, fertilization methods, and soil maintenance.

5) Provide environmental legal consulting for the purpose of shifting local land use policies.

6) Build and maintain organic gardens in the community of Maria Auxiliadora, a cooperatively run neighborhood for women who have experienced intra-familial violence.

Qualifications

Internship Requirements:
- 17+ years old
- Intermediate Spanish speaking and comprehension for Latin American locations
- 9-week minimum commitment

To be a Competitive Applicant:
- Working towards or having completed a Bachelors Degree
- Educational background in Finance, Business, Economics, International Development, or related field
- 9+ week commitment to working in host community
- Past work, volunteer, or field experience abroad
- Basic understanding of grassroots development and experience with cultural and economic diversity

Intern Types

Languages

• English
• Spanish
• Swahili

Cost in US$:

USD 4995 - USD 8280+, varies by duration

Program Fees Include:

The program fee covers: airport pickup upon arrival; a one-week orientation; family homestay with all meals provided; language lessons; development trainings; midterm retreat (9+ weeks only); on-going in-country support from FSD site team and U.S. staff; Project Seed Grant; eligibility for additional project funding up to USD 800; medical evacuation and limited health insurance. Our program fees also contribute to the capacity-building of our partner organizations, and include a USD 300 seed grant for all interns' work abroad.

Salary/Pay

Unpaid

Experience Required

no

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Application Process Involves

• Phone/Video Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 months

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network

Foundation for Sustainable Development's Mission Statement

Founded in 1995, the Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) supports the efforts of more than 300 grassroots, community-based partner organizations throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America. FSD's programs provide multi-faceted support that relies on active community participation to mobilize lasting solutions. FSD programs include:

• Capacity Building: On-site workshops led by FSD Field Staff train our community partners to create economically and environmentally sustainable programs through community assessments, grant proposal development, project design and management, financial management, and monitoring and evaluation. 
• Grantmaking: FSD's Grantmaking Program supports community-driven projects and capacity building initiatives for our NGO Partners in the sectors of Health, Gender Equality, Human Rights, Environmental Sustainability, Microenterprise, Microfinance, Youth and Education, and Applied Technology.
• International Development Training Programs: Our International Intership Programs, Gap Year Programs, Pro Corps Volunteering, and Global Service Trips provide students and professionals with intensive training in grassroots sustainable development while also providing human resources and technical support to our partner organizations.
• Giving Circles: Giving Circles expand the grant fund through promoting more engaged, longer-term philanthropy. Through a series of meetings, Giving Circle members learn about pressing issues and responsible grantmaking, and then decide collectively how they can make the greatest impact with their pooled funds.

Year Founded

1995