Hivos has launched a new project in Colombia, Living Forests, Strong Communities, aimed at empowering Indigenous communities to use legislative tools to protect their lands and endangered forests. Colombia is home to some of the world’s most biodiverse regions, with Indigenous peoples managing over 30 million hectares of forest. These communities, however, face multiple threats, including attacks by illegal enterprises and systematic exclusion from political processes that could safeguard their territories. The project seeks to leverage a unique political moment to advance climate justice and Indigenous rights.
Colombia is grappling with overlapping crises such as illegal logging, land grabbing, and coca cultivation, all of which drive deforestation and biodiversity loss. These challenges are compounded by decades of armed conflict, an unstable political environment, and a weak economy, leaving Indigenous communities particularly vulnerable to violence, intimidation, illegal mining, and armed groups. According to Front Line Defenders, Colombia is the deadliest country for environmental defenders, highlighting the urgent need for protective measures and legal recourse for these communities.
A significant opportunity has arisen with the recent ratification of the Escazú Agreement, a regional treaty obliging countries to ensure environmental conservation and guarantee public participation in environmental decision-making. The agreement also allows Indigenous communities and other marginalized groups to pursue legal action against companies or governments violating environmental protections. Hivos emphasizes that signing the treaty alone is insufficient; it must be translated into robust national legislation to become an effective tool for safeguarding Indigenous lands and rights.
To achieve this, Hivos is collaborating with local organizations and Indigenous communities to implement the Escazú Agreement. The project focuses on educating communities about the treaty’s potential, developing legislative proposals to combat illegal deforestation, and safeguarding territorial rights. Indigenous groups are also provided with digital tools to monitor their lands and document evidence of environmental destruction. This evidence can then be used to advocate for stronger policies and pursue strategic legal actions. Hivos works alongside governments to improve decision-making processes, ensuring the treaty is fully incorporated into national policy for long-term impact.
The Living Forests, Strong Communities project is supported by the Swedish Postcode Lottery Foundation and builds on Hivos’s previous successes with the All Eyes on the Amazon program. It represents a new chapter in Hivos’s longstanding work with courageous Indigenous communities who are defending their rights and preserving Colombia’s unique forests for present and future generations.
