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Colombia is a nation of extraordinary natural wealth. Not only does it rank as the world's second most biodiverse country, home to nearly 10% of global biodiversity, but it also boasts one of the planet's largest water reserves. This exceptional abundance makes Colombian ecosystems an invaluable asset, forming the bedrock for ecological stability, human survival, economic health, and the overall well-being of the entire country. Conserving and restoring this natural heritage is therefore not merely an environmental protection issue, but an imperative to secure Colombia's very future.
It is with this understanding that CISP has partnered with the Colombian Ministry of Interior in an ambitious and successful initiative: Convenio 2246. This agreement aims to provide concrete solutions to the environmental challenges facing the country by implementing ecological restoration projects through a collaborative and participatory approach with local communities. The primary objective is the recovery, rehabilitation, and conservation of strategic ecosystems that have suffered degradation and are of vital interest to Community Action Organizations (OACs).
At the Heart of the Project: Collaboration, Local Knowledge, and Tangible Results
CISP's work, in close synergy with the Ministry of Interior, has focused on Line 2 of the Convenio, which encompasses 122 projects nationwide. As Sandra Milena López, CISP Colombia representative, emphasizes: "In this context, we have supported the various territories with field visits, providing them with the necessary inputs, materials, labor, and a 'toolbox' rich with thematic information."
This methodology has enabled the formulation and implementation of 122 ecological restoration projects, ranging from creating nurseries for propagating native species to isolating forested areas to promote regeneration, and even the complete restoration of strategic ecosystems. This commitment has brought direct benefits to Community Action Organizations in as many as 86 municipalities.
The results of this endeavor are twofold and highly impactful. Firstly, through reforestation and the reproduction of native species in nurseries, along with the fencing of forested areas, precious water sources have been recovered and protected. Angélica Muñoz, a beneficiary and vice-president of Asojuntas in the municipality of Carmen de Apicalá, clearly articulates the value of these interventions: "This project helps us with reforestation and the recovery of our water basins; here we have many water sources that supply our aqueducts."
Secondly, the project has fostered a constructive collaboration with local organizations that possess deep indigenous knowledge and have been actively involved, thereby strengthening territorial governance and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the various initiatives. Julio Castilla, an agricultural professional from CISP Colombia, explains the ultimate goal of these actions: "The ecological restoration line has allowed us to restore strategic ecosystems through reforestation with native trees, nurseries, and the fencing of conservation zones. This way, we sought to protect water sources such as rivers, streams, or wetlands, which had been degraded either naturally or by human action."
This initiative reflects our broader mission to promote concrete solutions for combating climate change, supporting rural communities in various parts of the world, and safeguarding natural wealth for present and future generations. This work, in fact, directly contributes to achieving important Sustainable Development Goals, including Sustainable Cities and Communities (11), Climate Action (13), and Life on Land (15).
We invite you to explore our work through the following resources:
We are proud to contribute to a greener and more sustainable future for Colombia and to demonstrate, once again, how collaboration between international organizations, governments, and local communities can lead to tangible and lasting results for the protection of our planet and the beings that inhabit it.
