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 06/2026
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

Project progress by work packages of the current implementation:
- Knowledge Management and Political Advocacy at International, National, Regional, and Local Levels:
  - Since April 2024, the project extension has focused on disseminating methodologies and tools from the first phase to support replication and policy uptake.
  - WWF participates in the Environment, Climate, Conflict and Peace (ECCP) community of practice, promoting integration of biodiversity, climate, conflict, and peace issues into decision-making.
  - At COP16 in Cali (2024), the project contributed to the Peace@CBD initiative and co-facilitated the event Diálogo de Saberes: Paz con la Naturaleza.
  - WWF Colombia contributed to the 2024 National Natural Parks report, highlighting links between community–protected area relations, peacebuilding, conservation, and climate management.
  - Workshops and campaigns promoted learning on participatory monitoring, farm planning, non-timber forest products, productive alternatives, and climate vulnerability.
  - A virtual learning library (BIVA) is being developed to centralise lessons and studies.
  - In partnership with the Regional Environmental Authority (CAR Cundinamarca), the project transferred its farm planning methodology, influencing land-use planning and productive reconversion.
  - WWF Colombia presented methodologies and results at the Forest Land Restorations meeting in Brasília.
  - Through collaboration with the Guaviare Government, WWF Colombia supported governance, agricultural frontier, and land-use planning dialogues.
  - Participation in the V Summit of Amazonian Presidents contributed to commitments on MAPI, the Tropical Forests Forever Fund (TFFF), and regional cooperation against environmental crimes.
  - Between September and December 2025, participation in technical forums strengthened coordination on territorial planning, governance agreements, productive reconversion, and international cooperation.
  - Project lessons and results will be shared through four closing events in 2026.
- Sustainable Productive Alternatives and Participatory Monitoring:
  - An adaptive management methodology was developed, benefiting 240 families across six protected areas.
  - Components include systematisation tools, technical assistance manuals, diagnostics, monitoring plans, and implementation follow-up.
  - Participatory monitoring was reactivated with work plans for data collection, analysis, and local capacity-building.
  - Field visits in Sumapaz and Chiribiquete strengthened dialogue, trust, and cooperation among communities, NGOs, and protected area staff.
  - Follow-up visits with 240 families assessed implementation progress and identified needs for tools and equipment.
  - Twenty-five additional families from the El Triunfo UAPSS in Guaviare were incorporated.
  - Community monitoring collected biodiversity and water-quality data with peasant associations and protected area representatives.
  - The Farm Planning Guide consolidated lessons, methodologies, and tools related to restoration, mapping, georeferencing, and participatory planning.
  - Implementation processes were strengthened through procurement, technical assistance, and training on climate risk analysis, restoration, sustainable forest management, non-timber forest products, and meliponiculture.
- Sustainable Financial Mechanisms:
  - Progress was made in designing a Payments for Environmental Services (PES) scheme in Calamar (Guaviare), focused on water regulation and biodiversity conservation.
  - The project updated the Financial Mechanisms Portfolio and analysed financial opportunities in the Herencia Colombia landscapes.
  - Two Payments for Environmental Services (PES) schemes are under development in Lejanías (Meta) and San José del Guaviare (Guaviare).
  - An environmental and social safeguards analysis is underway to support responsible financial mechanism design.
  - A conservation finance training module was developed under the Herencia Colombia capacity-building plan.
Relevant project results by work package from the first project phase
- 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 analysed 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.
- Capacity building, dialogues and conservation agreements:
  - 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.
- Sustainable livelihoods:
  - 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.
- Sustainable financing mechanisms:
  - 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.