My name is Kory Anne Barras Tapia. I am Swiss-Bolivian and joined the World Bank Office in Quito in September 2022. Just recently I completed my two-year UN Volunteer service as an Environmental and Social Analyst, which was fully funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
Sustainability is something we can't stop talking about. It's at the forefront of conversations and dialogues. So was the case for my volunteer assignment—promoting sustainable development guidelines in project planning and execution.
When projects comply with environmental and social standards, we minimize potential conflicts that may arise from environmental degradation or social exclusion. This not only preserves ecosystems but also enhances the well-being of local communities, promotes inclusion and decision-making at the ground level, and ensures the continuity of livelihoods.
I was part of two portfolios, one of which was the Environmental and Social Framework of Ecuador—where I worked in different areas such as environmental and social risk management, biodiversity, community health and safety, and more. There were about 20 projects I supervised making sure they were compliant with environmental and social standards set by the World Bank.
My second portfolio was the regional coordination for Amazon Sustainable Landscape, which spanned seven countries—Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Perú, and Surinam—with an overall objective of conservation and sustainable development in the Amazon, aiming to connect people and institutions to well conserved and managed landscapes.
To have everyone onboard when we talk about sustainable development is a necessity.
Such were the reflections at the Indigenous Women's Day in Pucallpa, Perú where women from nine Amazonian regions exchanged strategies to protect their lands and communities, forming a network to defend rivers, promote sustainable agriculture and foster alternative economies.
One key highlight of work is when one gets to see tangible impact. I got to experience that through projects like Prett, Corporación Financiera Nacional, COVID-19 Vaccination, and Amazon Sustainable Landscapes. Each of these projects brought value to the education sector, entrepreneurship for small businesses, the health system, and conserving biodiversity and sustainable land management in the region.
I also got an opportunity to oversee fieldwork in parts of Ecuador—Cuenca, Ibarra, Loja, Pifo, and in particular, in communities of the Province of Guayas during Resilient Rural Roads, a project that financed small roads and bridges.
One of the field missions was to Sierra Morena and Nueva Esperanza in Pifo where farmers were losing yield due to the inefficient use of water. This is where Technified Irrigation Project was implemented. I got to see up close and personal how Ecuadorian farmers benefitted from the positive effects of irrigation, thus improving milk and beef cattle production.
Volunteering allowed me to engage more closely with local communities, encouraging trust and collaboration—vital for the success of environmental initiatives.
On a personal level, volunteering deepened my commitment to sustainability and social justice, giving me the space to explore meaningful causes I believe in. Professionally, I broadened my network and also got valuable work experience with the World Bank.
Learning about environment and social sustainability, and believing in solutions powered by people—that's my volunteer assignment in a nutshell.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 2023 between United Nations Volunteers and the World Bank making it possible for UN Volunteers like myself to serve with the World Bank in development projects.