International Day of Forests 21 March: Breakthrough for indigenous governance in the Colombian Amazon
Norway is stepping up support for indigenous governments in the Colombian Amazon by committing 78 million NOK to help secure and manage areas that indigenous peoples have lived in for generations. The new partnership will help empower indigenous governments to take control of their territories,
For over 30 years, indigenous peoples have been waiting to have full governance over their territories. Now, their autonomy and self-determination are closer to becoming a reality than ever before. That is why Norway is stepping up support for indigenous peoples in the Colombian Amazon.
This groundbreaking project is helping indigenous communities secure the rights to manage their territories. They will gain authority similar to a municipality, strengthening their political, administrative, and financial rights, and be able to receive funding directly from the state.
The initiative will support 10 indigenous territories to implement their formal governance rights and sustainable land management in line with their ancestral knowledge and self-governance systems. These indigenous territories are local government systems within Colombia, with their own rules, leadership, and vision for the future.
Fifty-one percent of the funds will be administered directly by 10 indigenous governments. The funds will be used to strengthen the indigenous government and administration systems, and their formalization and operation as Indigenous Territorial Entities. Gaia Amazonas Foundation will provide political and technical support to the implementation.
Safeguarding one of the most well-preserved rainforests in the region
This commitment is part of Norway’s larger $20 million pledge announced at COP16, to help Colombia fight deforestation while promoting sustainable livelihoods and indigenous rights.
The target area of the project is 8.3 million hectares – an area roughly the size of Austria – of conserved rainforest in the Colombian Amazon, along the border areas with Brazil and Peru. This is one of the most well-preserved regions of the Amazon rainforest.
Indigenous communities lead the way
One of the project’s key components is supporting the “Jaguars of Yurupari Macroterritory,” a pioneering group of indigenous governments working to establish Colombia’s first “Indigenous Province.” The goal is to equip the indigenous authorities with the tools and recognition needed to fully govern and protect their territories.
A special focus will also be placed on strengthening women’s leadership in territorial governance. The project aims to ensure that indigenous women play an active role in decision-making, integrating their priorities into land policies, financial planning, and environmental regulations according to their cultural roots and in the exercise of their autonomy and self-determination.