Description

Background
PROINPA promotes technological innovation to improve the competitiveness of Andean agriculture (in particular potato and quinoa cultivation), food safety and the conservation as well as sustainable use of genetic resources, to benefit local farmers and Bolivian society as a whole. PROINPA currently operates 40 different projects, directly benefiting 11,000 people in more than 75 municipalities, 400 communities and in 7 departments of Bolivia.

Objectives
Bolivia is one of the 15 most bio-diverse countries in the world with a genetic reserve of great importance. Proinpa seeks to conserve, use and promote this reserve by developing a strategy for the management of genetic resources.

PROINPA's three main objectives are:

* To promote the conservation and usage of genetic resources
* To develop new technologies of food security
* To promote and spread these technologies

Who does PROINPA help?
PROINPA indirectly helps all of Bolivian society by ensuring the competitiveness and quality of Andean produce.

Working conditions
The main offices of PROINPA are situated about half an hour from Cochabamba's city centre and include three laboratories and two greenhouses, and a team of staff who range from economists to molecular biologists.

PROINPA Programs
PROINPA is not just looking for volunteers with a background in biology, food technology or agriculture, but welcomes people with education and experience in many different areas: administration, micro-finance, education, communication and media, and sociology. Volunteers would collaborate with staff according to experience and skills and at times would be required to make trips into the surrounding communities. Volunteers are also welcome to carry out research.

Qualifications

* Upper intermediate Spanish
* Experience/knowledge in one of the following areas: agronomy, agriculture, molecular biology, or economics
* Interest in agricultural issues and Andean products (such as potato, quinoa, peanut)
* Minimum commitment of three months

Intern Types

Languages

• Spanish

Cost in US$:

450

Program Fees Include:

Long Term Volunteers/ Interns (Monthly Prices)
Shared Room = USD300 a month
Private Room = USD400 a month
Family Home Stay = USD500 a month

Short Term Volunteers/ Interns (Weekly Prices)
Shared Room = USD100 a week
Private Room = USD125 a week
Family Home Stay = USD150 a week

Experience Required

no

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume

Sustainable Bolivia's Mission Statement

Sustainable Bolivia is a developmental institution headquartered in Cochabamba, Bolivia. With projects in the Andean highlands and the Amazonian lowlands, our primary objective is to assist local communities in the development of environmentally, socially and fiscally sustainable ecotourism programs. Through the promotion of sustainable tourism, language studies and volunteer placement, our mission is to provide the conscientious traveler a way to experience the immense natural and cultural wealth of Bolivia in a way that is non-intrusive and environmentally, socially and fiscally sustainable.