​OUR WORK IN COLOMBIA

Restoring Indigenous Ecosystems and
Local Livelihoods

SNN supports Indigenous communities in building resilience to shocks while preserving
their cultural heritage. Our actions include improving water access, enhancing food
security, restoring degraded lands, and creating livelihood opportunities for local
women artisans.

Climate change, economic shocks, and conflict are disrupting the traditional way of life for the Indigenous Wayuu people in La Guajira, Colombia.

As these challenges intensify, both the Wayuu and Kogi communities face increasing vulnerability to food insecurity, land degradation, and economic hardship.

A Livelihood Analysis by South North Nexus and BioRegions International emphasized the need to diversify women’s livelihood assets and implement more advanced forest and ecosystem management techniques.

The study also highlighted the importance of training and skill-building, particularly in gender roles, empowerment, rights, and culturally appropriate adaptation and risk management.  Responding to these issues significantly improves traditional communities’ access to basic necessities.

READ THE REPORT

HOW WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE

We work alongside communities to build climate resilience and improve livelihoods
by implementing the following:

Land and Ecosystem Restoration
SNN helps restore degraded ancestral lands and strengthens family nutrition. With community nurseries, families are able to cultivate species, creating a sustainable food source. This collective effort revitalizes forested areas while boosting food and economic security.

Clean Water Access for Human Consumption and Horticulture
Access to clean water is vital for sustaining agriculture and daily life in the community. With wells in place, community members can maintain nurseries, improve family nutrition, and strengthen local food systems. This also reduces the burden on women, enabling them to generate more income from their handicraft work.

Local Business Development
With a strong focus on empowering Wayuu women, SNN fosters business opportunities by supporting the sale of traditional handcrafted goods in local markets and, eventually, global markets. These efforts help uplift communities and contribute to their socio-economic development.

SNN works with local cooperatives to strengthen community livelihoods while
respecting the culture and traditional ways of living with nature.

SNN works in Colombia to:

• Expand access to statistical and socioeconomic data to guide policy formulation,
  particularly on climate impacts
  
  
• Empower Traditional and Women’s Authorities and enhance their participation in
  decision-making
  
  
• Prioritize food security and sovereignty by reinforcing local and traditional production
  systems
  
  
• Restore forests to enhance ecological, economic, and food security benefits

STORY OF CHANGE

“It used to take us half a day to get water for the animals, for drinking and for
cooking. Women bear the responsibility for collecting water. Now, we, the women,
have more time to spend with our families and to weave. With the well, we have
more time to increase our incomes by weaving and selling mochilas (bags),
traditional sombreros, and baskets.”
- Clara

SNN sincerely thanks Ramasio Tiller and the community members in Colombia who have
dedicated their time, energy, and skills to ensuring that our initiatives thrive within the
indigenous communities we support.