Date of Workshop: August 10 - 11, 2017

Workshop Coordinator: Marlene Soriano

Primero de Mayo, a community in Central Bolivia, is characterized by its high youth population and strong dependence on forest products. The community consists of families from Primero de Mayo and the Primero de Mayo Community Annex. Their livelihoods are deeply tied to the collection of Brazil nuts, Acai fruits, timber extraction, and shifting agriculture. While the municipality offers limited employment opportunities, such as school and hospital construction, most income is derived from forest-based activities.

Situated along a road connecting new settlements to the Brazilian border, Primero de Mayo has seen an influx of residents, primarily from the nearby city of Riberalta. This high level of forest dependency and the arrival of new residents navigating a blend of traditional and emerging livelihoods made it an ideal location for a Youth Visioning Workshop led by Marlene Soriano in August 2017.

During the workshop, participants discussed the community’s opportunities and challenges, including reliance on forest resources, migration to cities like Cobija or Riberalta during the off-season, and aspirations for future employment in fields such as health sciences. One participant fondly recalled a visit to Yasil, Paraná, sharing, “I didn’t like the road, but when we arrived, it was so pretty, with its paved streets... I would love to go back.”

Though many youth see themselves working abroad, particularly in Brazil, there remains a strong desire to return to their community after time away. However, the mismatch between educational qualifications and local job opportunities presents a challenge for many returning home. Migration, driven by limited prospects, remains a key concern for the youth of Primero de Mayo.