Collaboratory update August 2023 | Colombia

Whilst crucial to all life on earth, water holds more values than sustenance alone. One of the Hub’s key research themes explores the multiple, multifaceted values of water and how they are intrinsic to understanding water systems. This Spring our Colombia Collaboratory held an exciting exhibition in Cali, celebrating water values and Earth Day. The aim of the event was to highlight the pluralistic values of water, through the artistic expression of the inhabitants of the Upper Cauca River Basin. The event was enriched by a wonderful variety of artistic displays by the participants and guests, including music, theatre, dance, paintings, embroidery, comedy, drawings, photography, and more. Artists participated in three categories: visual arts, performing arts, and literary arts. Two experts judged each category, presenting 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards. Keep an eye out for a showcase of the works featured, coming soon. 

Earlier this year, in collaboration with the SHARE project, our Colombia team distributed 1,000 water filters to communities throughout rural areas in Popayán, Totoró, Cajibio, and Silvia in the Department of Cauca. The team has recently made a number of follow up visits to monitor water quality and the efficacy of the filters installed in homes in Popayán and Silvia. Other aims of the activity were also to identify risk conditions for the transmission of waterborne diseases, and to generate education and training strategies for the correct handling of water quality filters. The team will continue to carry out regular monitoring visits and work closely with the communities  to ensure the filters provide what they need.

In partnership with the SHARE project, the Colombia team held the VI Water Forum of Southwest Colombia at the Universidad del Cauca. This year’s theme was ‘Co-construction of water and food security strategies’. Professor Jaime Amezaga, the Hub’s Deputy Director, delivered the keynote speech on systems thinking and the international water security network. Luisa Gómez, coordinator of the Páramos y Bosques project of the Río Piedras Foundation and USAID, spoke about the socio-ecological impacts of the project. The event had a community focus with presentations by Zoraida Golondrino from the campesino organisation ASOCAMPO, and Taita Salomón Cuchillo from the Misak Mama Manuela Educational Institution. An expert panel featuring community environmental promoters of the SHARE project also took place, including Alexandra Victoria, Esmeralda Solarte, Xiomara León, and the governor of the Ampiule indigenous community, Pedro Pablo Pillimué. 

As well as working directly with communities, Colombian colleagues have developed strong partnerships with community-led organisations. AQUACOL, a local organisation focused on water and sanitation services among rural communities, recently held its General Assembly of Associates. The space was used to; identify the problems of community water management organisations managing water for human consumption; conduct an analysis of draft Law 271/2022; and to socialise the progress made in the processes of water management with allied organisations. Our team took part in the assembly and knowledge exchange activities, participating with three presentations covering research progress and advances in Nuestra Agua (‘Our Water’), the water information system we have developed in collaboration with communities.   

Exciting progress has been made in the Hub’s work in the municipality of Jamundí, as the public policy on the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) programme has been approved, guaranteeing its implementation over the next 12 years. The PES programme was formed using a social-ecological systems approach (SES) as the analytical framework, something not used widely in the sector. Developed with crucial collaboration and input from rural aqueduct representatives, social leaders, community organisations, and professionals from the Jamundí mayor's office, the programme has enabled the strengthening of governance in rural organisations in the municipality, in which 84 farms have been strengthened and 849 hectares have been conserved. This programme has the potential to protect and conserve ecosystems in an equitable manner, encouraging investment in common goods (e.g. the agro-ecological community market) and sustainable economic activities. Read more about the Hub’s work on PES in this paper and this piece. 

Additionally, following the signing of an agreement between Universidad del Valle and the Centre for Research on Sustainable Agricultural Production Systems (CIPAV), the subproject focused on socio-ecological transitions in the Guerrero micro-watershed of Jamundí is progressing. Hub members recently took part in knowledge exchange activities, including a tour of the San José and Finca La Palmera farms, located in Ulloa, Valle del Cauca, and Santa Rosa de Cabal, Risaralda respectively. 24 producers from Peñas Negras, Bocas del Palo, San Antonio, Irlanda, San Vicente and Clavellinas (areas located in the municipality of Jamundí) attended the tour, learning about silvopastoral systems, water ram and water storage, wastewater treatment using a biodigester, and the female entrepreneurs running the coffee shop, Amarte Café. The tour attendees have shown great interest and motivation in applying what they’ve learned and sharing the knowledge they’ve acquired.