About us

FUND-ECO, the Foundation for the Development of Ecology, is a private non-profit organization that supports pure and applied ecological sciences with a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach.

FUND-ECO was established in 1993, within the framework of the GTZ, to strengthen the Institute of Ecology in La Paz - Bolivia.

The Institute of Ecology (IE) of the Universidad Mayor de San Andrés (UMSA), established in 1978, carries out basic and applied studies in ecology and contributes to the education of professionals in Bolivia and South America. It is acknowledged in the national and international context for its essential role to consolidate biological and ecological research in the country.

The IE has professionals in different areas of ecology, with extensive experience in environmental management and sustainable use of biodiversity conservation. An agreement between the UMSA (Bolivia) and the University of Göttingen (Germany), with the technical and financial cooperation from the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), made this achievement possible.

FUND-ECO and the IE have signed a large number of agreements and contracts with governmental and non-governmental organizations, private and international development agencies inside and outside the country. These agreements and contracts include the granting of scholarships, implementation of different programs, research projects and consultancies, providing training, assistance and information relevant to environmental quality, natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, local development, environmental education and awareness raising.