Programme Youth for the environment in Quibdó

The Colombian Ministry of Environment created the Youth Environmental Networks and through this programme the Youth Environmental Council in Quibdó. This programme constitutes a community-based agreement that aims at generating environmental impact through community inclusion. Young people can complete their professional internships, promote green businesses and food security, support urban agriculture by reclaiming land affected by mining, the installation of green roofs and the recovery of the Atrato river. The programme leaders in Quibdó use awareness raisin mechanisms and social media as a way to promote a bigger involvement of the community in ecosystem restoration activities. Currently, more the network counts with more than 200 young supporters and the recognition and support of the Local and regional government.

Overview

Type of instrument:

Knowledge, communication and innovation instruments›Communication/awareness raising

Challenges addressed

Ecologic connectivity
Green space management (e.g. accessibility)
Social cohesion
Human health, comfort and well-being

Consideration of nature-based solutions:

The programme allows volunteers to organize numerous events and initiatives with a focus on NBS and aim to further protect the environment. They implement various actions such as the restoration of community parks, plant fruit trees that benefit the community or works on water fountains. Furthermore, they established days dedicated to certain actions such as the cleaning day of river basins in the district Santo Domingo.

Targeted (peri-)urban areas:

Parks and (semi)natural urban green areas

Blue areas

Good practice characteristics:

Support multifunctional NBS

Locally appropriate

Potential to be replicated / upscaled

Innovative

Inclusivity

Good outreach

Governance

Government body/bodies

Initiating body:

Ministry of Environment

Instrument design:

Details about how the instrument was designed:

The initiative came from the Committee on Environmental Education. The committee consists of different entities with environmental responsibilities at national and local level such as the Corporación Autónoma Regional de Chocó, the Chamber of Commerce, the Mayor's Office of Quibdó, the Pacific Research Institute and NGOs. The network works throughout the municipality of Quibdó, with the purpose of contributing to organizational and participatory processes that are generated in the department.

Involvement of non-governmental actors:

Citizens or community groups / NGOs

Type of actor involvement:

Co-planning or co-design of instrument (e.g. boards, advisory role)

Instrument implementation:

Type of involvement:

The public is at the core of this youth participation network. They are as a network in charge of administration, organization and promotion of spaces for exchange and communication among the members of the network.

Type of non-governmental actors involved:

Citizen councils or consultation for co-planning (e.g. workshops, surveys)

Co-design of NBS, implemented by government

Implementation of NBS (e.g. with government funds)

Citizen science

Targeted actors:

Private: household, real estate developer, business , financial

Citizens or community groups (CBOs), NGOs

Financing

Sources of funding:

Public national budget

Details about instrument financing:

The interviewee, Ms. Heiny Fajardo, leader of the network in Quibdó, highlights the lack of financial support from public institutions. There are reduced resources which limits activities which could be implemented.

Monitoring, evaluation and impacts

Achieved outcomes and impacts:

Since the creation of the network, more than 200 young people have been supporting environmental activities in Quibdó. Numerous fundraising activities were implemented by young people. They managed scholarships for professional studies, postgraduate scholarships and supported English courses. Also, the community created ownership with regards to environmental actions and that implies that many actions can be kept in time despite of the reduced resources availability.

Success factors and lessons learned:

Young people in the capital of Chocó are very motivated and engaged in the network and the activities it organizes. They actively want to contribute to the environmental protection of the area through actions with a focus on NBS solutions.This is a remarkable achievement taking into account the complex socio-economic situation that the region faces and the impacts of armed conflict. However, they are in need of further assistance by the public institutions, whether it concerns financial resources or management.

Sources and further information

References

Interview(s):

Interview with Ms. Heiny Fajardo (leader of the "Red Nacional Jóvenes de Ambiente" in Quibdó).

Further documents

Weblinks:

https://archivo.minambiente.gov.co/index.php/noticias-minambiente/3851-red-nacio…

https://codechoco.gov.co/publicaciones/3122/codechoco-y-los-jovenes-de-ambiente/

Photos

@H.Fajardo