Protected areas and peace in Colombia

Conflicts over land use and ownership are endangering numerous ecosystems in Colombia – and minimising or resolving/transforming such conflicts contributes not only to peace, but also to the protection of biodiversity. The project is contributing to reducing or resolving/transforming land use and ownership conflicts, thus improving the management of protected areas. It is identifying the causes of deforestation, introducing a system for monitoring deforestation, strengthening plans for sustainable land use, improving capacities for conflict resolution and developing approaches to solutions. The project also strengthens the institutional framework for protected areas by means of dialogue with farmers, and mobilises public and private funds which are then used to conserve biodiversity – and the living conditions of smallholders and landless persons are being improved, making yet another important contribution to the peacekeeping processes. Since 2024 results of the project's first phase are being scaled up at the international, national, and regional levels.

Project data

Countries: Colombia
IKI funding: 6,016,810.00 €
Duration: 07/2019 till 03/2026
Status: open
Implementing organisation: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) - Germany
Political Partner: Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MinAmbiente) - Colombia

Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia
Implementing Partner: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) - Colombia

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State of implementation/results

Knowledge Management and Political Advocacy at International, National, Regional, and Local Levels:
Since April 2024, the two-year project extension has focused on analyzing and disseminating reports, tools, and methods developed during the initial phase to foster replication and policy uptake.
WWF actively participates in the Environment, Climate, Conflict and Peace (ECCP) community of practice (>900 members worldwide), promoting integration of environmental, climate, biodiversity, conflict, and peace issues into decision-making.
In October 2024, the project contributed to the Peace@CBD initiative at COP16 in Cali, through policy advice, communication, and events. WWF co-facilitated the side event Diálogo de Saberes: Paz con la Naturaleza, bringing project experiences to international dialogues and strengthening the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).
WWF Colombia contributed to the 2024 National Natural Parks report, emphasising how community–protected area relations reinforce territorial identity, peace, and conservation, and analyzing climate change management progress in the protected areas system.
Information exchange and learning were promoted through workshops and campaigns with communities and staff, covering topics such as project knowledge management, community monitoring, farm planning, sustainable use of non-timber products, forest knowledge, productive alternatives, and climate vulnerability.
A virtual learning library (BIVA) is being developed to centralise and share WWF Colombia’s lessons, reflections, reports, and studies.
In collaboration with the Regional Environmental Authority (CAR Cundinamarca), the project transferred its farm planning methodology, including tools for family- and community-level planning, influencing how CAR will guide land-use planning and productive system reconversion.
WWF Colombia contributed to the Forest Land Restorations meeting in Brasilia, presenting methodologies and results (e.g., farm planning, UAPSS-based larger-scale planning). Discussions addressed scaling up restoration, governance, and resource mobilisation in line with the Latin America Restoration Roadmap 2030.
Through a collaboration agreement with the Guaviare Government, WWF Colombia provided technical and logistical support for dialogue and decision-making on land planning, governance, and agricultural frontiers. This included:
- The first Agricultural Frontier Roundtable, reviewing progress on UAPSS and presenting project contributions.
- The first Governance Roundtable for Peace with Nature and Communities, reviewing national strategies and community agreements such as Conservar Paga and the Guaviare Pact.
- The first Technical Committee on Environmental Land Use Planning and the Sustainable Land Use Planning and Agricultural Frontier Committees, addressing land-use planning strategies.
- Additional technical input to the Climate Change Sub-node and Environmental Management Committee.
At the regional level, WWF Colombia engaged in the V Summit of Amazonian Presidents (August 2025) and the preparatory Amazon Dialogues. Civil society proposals—including the Pan-Amazonian Climate Pact—were incorporated into the official agenda. The summit’s Bogotá Declaration included commitments to:
- Establish the Amazon Indigenous Peoples Mechanism (MAPI).
- Launch the Tropical Forests Forever Fund (TFFF) at COP30.
- Strengthen action against environmental crimes (illegal mining, wildlife and flora trafficking) and improve regional cooperation on gold traceability and mercury phase-out.
Sustainable Productive Alternatives and Participatory Monitoring
- A methodology for adaptive management of project implementations was developed, currently benefiting 240 families across six protected areas. Components include:
- 1. Application design for implementation data systematisation.
- 2. Technical assistance manuals for different treatment types.
- 3. Diagnosis of implementations (status, functionality, procurement).
- 4. Identification of pending actions.
- 5. Definition of tasks and recommendations.
- 6. Monitoring plan design.
The participatory monitoring process was reactivated, with a work plan for data collection, analysis projections, and capacity-building for local monitors.
Field visits in Sumapaz (mid-2024) strengthened community dialogue around adaptive management. In Chiribiquete, participatory monitoring reinforced trust and cooperation among protected area staff, NGOs, and communities, leading to stronger engagement and problem-solving.
Follow-up visits were conducted with 240 families in six protected areas to assess progress and identify needs for materials, tools, and equipment. A procurement and delivery plan is being developed and monitored.
25 new families from the El Triunfo UAPSS (Guaviare) were incorporated, with farm plans under review and adjustments underway. This marks the first implementation directly linked to the UAPSS model, developed with WWF support and local governance.
Community monitoring activities collected data on biodiversity (birds, mammals, plants) and water quality. Training and field exercises were carried out with community monitors, peasant associations, and representatives from AFIW and Chiribiquete National Parks. Analytical reports will be presented in late 2025.

Progress was achieved in developing a Payments for Environmental Services (PES) scheme in Calamar (Guaviare), within the influence area of Serranía de Chiribiquete National Park. Based on national regulations and WWF data, the scheme focuses on water regulation and quality, supporting biodiversity conservation while providing incentives for local communities.
The project reviewed, updated, and followed up on the Financial Mechanisms Portfolio.
An analysis of opportunities for financial mechanisms in the Herencia Colombia landscapes was completed, providing a foundation for scaling participatory and sustainable territorial management.
Two Payments for Environmental Services (PES) schemes are being developed:
- Lejanías (Meta): focused on conserving water resources in the Sumapaz National Park buffer zones.
San José del Guaviare (Guaviare): aimed at strengthening nature tourism. A concept note for the latter was submitted to the Ministry of Environment in August for review.
An environmental and social safeguards analysis is underway to ensure responsible design of financial mechanisms for rural communities. A draft safeguards document, incorporating expert input and WWF experiences, has been shared for professional feedback. Plans are in place to engage communities in validating and refining the results.

Information generation and monitoring

Community monitoring capacities strengthened in Chiribiquete, Picachos, Macarena and AFIW; six monitoring systems designed, four equipped with tools, and local reports under preparation.
Satellite imagery analyzed for >10,000 ha and infographics on deforestation drivers produced.
Traveling exhibition Caretakers of the Territory held in AFIW, Chiribiquete, and Bogotá (2023), showcasing photographs of community monitoring.
Participatory analysis highlighted strong knowledge exchange, trust, and cooperation among families, NGOs and institutions.

53 conservation agreements strengthened; three collective agreements signed with cocoa and coffee associations in AFIW and Macarena (80 families).
204 families trained in AFIW, Chiribiquete, Macarena, and Sumapaz through participatory, experience-based methods.
Villavicencio Technical Roundtable advanced as key inter-institutional coordination space on deforestation.
Peasant organisations in Chiribiquete and Macarena implemented soil restoration actions; mid-2024 community visits in Sumapaz strengthened adaptive management dialogue.

181 land-use planning exercises completed; 223 families supported in restoration and biodiversity management, and seven productive initiatives strengthened.
12,520 ha in management planning: 2,969 ha under restoration, 1,195 ha sustainable use, 8,355 ha preservation.
Business skills strengthened in seven enterprises; two cocoa associations signed export agreements with Germany.
Supported expansion of the El Pato–Balsillas Campesino Reserve Zone by 64,640 ha.

Digital platform for conservation investment designed; Private Sector and Investor Engagement Strategy implemented.
Permanence Financing Program (PFP) signed; private financial instrument created for Sumapaz National Park.
Public–private alliance in Sumapaz with Scotiabank Colpatria and BBVA established, supporting páramo conservation and environmental education.
GCF approved USD 43 million for Herencia Colombia, aligned with Carbon Tax allocations to strengthen the national protected areas system.

Latest Update:
12/2025