Bolivia has taken a particularly strong approach to the use of free and open source software at central government level, connecting it with its sovereignty policy. This commitment stems from a well-established free software community that emerged in the early 2000s. The initial push towards open source software highlighted the necessity for comprehensive measures alongside mandatory adoption. Consequently, the country revised its regulations to embrace the transition towards open technologies with a goal of achieving full sovereignty.
The primary entity driving free software policy in Bolivia is the Agency for e-Government and Information and Communication Technologies (AGETIC). This agency oversees the enforcement of Law No.164 which mandates the use of open source software, along with subsequent implementation decrees. AGETIC is responsible for facilitating each central government agency's creation of its individual Free Software and Open Standards Implementation Plan, which is required by law at national level. The national plan for implementing free software stands as the key technical framework outlined in Law No.164 to coordinate agencies’ individual plans. AGETIC receives support from multiple agencies in executing and coordinating these plans.
At local level, autonomous territorial entities, departmental, municipalities and indigenous and aboriginal peasant communities are encouraged to apply the same policies. The free software associations of Bolivia have played a pivotal role in shaping the country's policies. Through coordinated advocacy efforts, these free software activists have successfully influenced policymakers and have become involved in government agencies dedicated to digitalisation. This involvement has paved the way for a sustained, long-term approach to embracing open source software.