On Afro-Colombian Day, BIOFIX highlights the strong alliance it has forged with communities from the Colombian Pacific in 5 REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) projects.
Bogotá, May 21, 2024. The communities of Arlequín, Delfines Cupica, Naya, Cocoman Frontera, and Chonta Corozo, located in this rich environmental and cultural region, have joined BIOFIX to carry out projects that not only preserve the tropical rainforest ecosystems but also generate significant social benefits for the region and the country as a whole.
The importance of these Afro-Colombian communities and this region in environmental and social terms cannot be underestimated. Thanks to the joint work in these 5 REDD+ projects, over 620,000 hectares of tropical forests have been conserved, safeguarding the rich biodiversity and contributing to climate change mitigation.
The social benefits derived from these projects have helped alleviate some of the basic needs of these ethnic communities, leading to significant improvements in education, housing infrastructure, healthcare services, community well-being, governance, and capacity building in recreational activities. Moreover, many members of these communities have become guardians of the forests, playing a crucial role in protecting mangroves and restoring ecosystems in the Pacific region.
Furthermore, thanks to the productive activities promoted by these projects, communities have diversified their sources of income, enabling them to achieve sustainable economic livelihoods. Hundreds of families have directly benefited from these initiatives, demonstrating the positive and tangible impact that REDD+ projects have had in this area of the country.
On such a significant day as Afro-Colombian Day, we celebrate not only the cultural and ancestral richness of these communities but also their valuable contribution to environmental conservation and sustainable development in Colombia.