Municipal Food Security Committee – La Paz, Bolivia

Key Insights

  • Municipal Food Security Committee
  • Multi-stakeholder food advisory group
  • Ensuring complementary initiatives and investments

Summary

In 2013, the Mayor of La Paz and non-profit Fundación Alternativas formed the multi-stakeholder Municipal Food Security Committee to serve as an advisory board to the city government over food issues. The committee proposes strategic actions to reinforce food security, monitors implementation, and acts as an intermediary between city government and other organisations to ensure no duplication of efforts. The existence of the committee is institutionalised in the Municipal Food Security Law of La Paz.

Citation

This case study version is from the Menu of Actions (2019). Suggested citation: Halliday, J., Platenkamp, L., Nicolarea, Y. (2019) A menu of actions to shape urban food systems for improved nutrition, GAIN, MUFPP and RUAF.

 

La Paz (Bolivia), Shutterstock/saiko3p

The action and its aims

The Municipal Food Security Committee of La Paz is a multi-stakeholder group that debates, analyses, and drafts municipal policies for a more healthy, sustainable and resilient local food system. It is legally recognised as an official advisory group to the city government, which enables it to propose strategic actions to reinforce food security and to monitor and evaluate implementation.

Why it was needed

The committee was formed in 2013 and was motivated by increasing concern over food security in a city that relies heavily on food imports.

Who initiated it, who is involved

It was founded by the Mayor of La Paz and non-profit organization Fundación Alternativas. The committee meets once a month and is made up of representatives of various municipal secretariats, community associations, NGOs and businesses.

Outcome/how it strengthened coordination

The committee serves as an intermediary between the city government and other public institutions on questions of food security, which helps ensure initiatives and investments are complementary and there is no doubling of efforts. In 2014 it drafted the first Municipal Food Security Law of La Paz (No. 105/2014), into which its own existence and function is inscribed. The committee carried out a wide consultation and secured support for the law from over 67 institutions and private companies and over 1000 individuals. It also contributed to the design of the city’s five-year strategic plan.

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