Indigenous and Afro-Colombian women contributing to biodiversity conservation

General

Many indigenous and Afro-Colombian groups live in the departments of Chocó and Antioquia in the biodiversity-rich northwest region of Colombia. National and regional protected areas there are particularly exposed to pressure from the mining industry. The project therefore supported the development of land use planning strategies for indigenous territories, strengthened community production systems and identified opportunities for the sustainable use of biodiversity, particularly in the case of women. Traditional knowledge was thus preserved and made more valuable for the departments’ inhabitants. The project also trained and strengthened indigenous people, who can then exercise their territorial rights and become more involved in decision-making processes. The interaction between nature reserves and areas managed by indigenous and Afro-Colombian groups was also supported, contributing to the exploitation of synergies and the sustainable development of the region.