OUR WORK IN COLOMBIA
South North Nexus and BioRegions International continued to undertake “Livelihood Analyses” across bioregions to better understand how communities and families are coping with and adapting to a variety of shocks such as climate, conflict, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
A robust study was finalized in La Guajira, Colombia with Fundación Tierra de Indios which examined livelihood impacts due to climate, environmental and economic shocks and conflict. The Colombia study provides an in-depth look at how conflict contributes to the loss of livelihoods and increased migration.
Our approach relied heavily on listening and engaging in participatory and collaborative learning to strengthen resilience and enable families, communities, and local entities to better plan for and respond to shocks.
A robust study was finalized in La Guajira, Colombia with Fundación Tierra de Indios which examined livelihood impacts due to climate, environmental and economic shocks and conflict. The Colombia study provides an in-depth look at how conflict contributes to the loss of livelihoods and increased migration.
Our approach relied heavily on listening and engaging in participatory and collaborative learning to strengthen resilience and enable families, communities, and local entities to better plan for and respond to shocks.
Livelihood Analysis
The Livelihood Analysis highlighted several communities concerns in La Guajira, and how climate is affecting the traditional way of life for the Wayu people. Communities acknowledged a need to diversify livelihood assets, highlighting the importance of handcrafts, especially for women, and the urgent need for more advanced forest and ecosystem management techniques. The study also showed the importance of training and skill building, particularly on gender roles, empowerment and rights, and culturally appropriate adaptation and risk management.
Most important findings
SNN and Fundación Tierra de Indios will implement a pilot project to develop skills and solutions with families, communities, and local governments that address the urgent climate impacts affecting people’s livelihoods in La Guajira.
- Conversations exposed the similarities and differences in the visions for livelihoods among the communities who participated in the study and the institutions, foundations and agencies interviewed. This is important because these are the social and political actors that intervene with programs and projects in indigenous communities, with actions that are not always aligned to the communities’ own priorities.
Climate change must be integrated effectively into all initiatives to strengthen the livelihoods of communities, considering their culture and specific priorities. Important actions include:
a) Improving access to statistical and socioeconomic information, especially related to climate impacts.
b) Empowering and improving the participation of Traditional and Women’s Authorities and local women.
c) Integrating the work of Traditional and Women's Authorities with national authorities and international agencies.
d) Putting food security and sovereignty at the center, through strategies that strengthen local and traditional production systems.
e) Recovering forests as a system that provides ecological, economic and food services and benefits.
f) Developing broad strategies and plans that integrate the different socio-economic and structural dimensions affecting the local environment.
a) Improving access to statistical and socioeconomic information, especially related to climate impacts.
b) Empowering and improving the participation of Traditional and Women’s Authorities and local women.
c) Integrating the work of Traditional and Women's Authorities with national authorities and international agencies.
d) Putting food security and sovereignty at the center, through strategies that strengthen local and traditional production systems.
e) Recovering forests as a system that provides ecological, economic and food services and benefits.
f) Developing broad strategies and plans that integrate the different socio-economic and structural dimensions affecting the local environment.
