Community exchange and capacity-building in energy alternatives for food production processes with peasant farmers and fisher-folk families in Colombia
Introduction
| Location: | Santander, Córdoba and Antioquia; Colombia |
| Technology: | Solar Photovoltaic, Biomass gasification Biogas |
| Scope: | Capacity-Building |
| Costs: | Total: € 18,000
WISIONS financial support: € 18,000 |
| Host Organization: | Censat Agua Viva |
| Partners Involved: | Fundaexpresión, Otros Mundos |
| Exchange date: | June 2014 – Dezember 2024 |
The main objective of this exchange activity was to link the concepts of energy sovereignty and food sovereignty using a two-pronged approach: the provision of hands-on capacity-building in sustainable energy technologies for food production and setting up a participatory dialogue among civil society organisations in Colombia. The exchange was supported by the WISIONS supporting scheme SEPS.
Exchange Need and Objective(s)
Food processing in Colombian rural communities is typically fuelled by firewood in inefficient stoves, or by expensive diesel generators. Firewood combustion drives deforestation and causes health problems, as well as requiring significant time and resources. One key barrier to improving the situation is the lack of technical capacity and empowerment in rural communities. There is a need to complement capacity-building with knowledge sharing and networking and to position energy as an essential component of sustainable livelihoods.
Participants and Target Group(s)
This project involved the creation of a social alliance and collective learning process between NGOs and rural communities from three regions of Colombia (Santander, Córdoba and Antioquia). Three recognised non-governmental organisations led the process: CENSAT Aguaviva, Fundaexpresión and Otros Mundos.The exchange engaged six community-based organisations, all with experience in agroecology, local markets, food processing and the community conservation of ecosystems. Around 40 representatives from these organisations participated in both exchange visits. The organisations were selected based on the interest they expressed, their experience in an area of alternative energy systems and their capacity and commitment to share and disseminate the lessons learned. The ultimate target groups were the members of the participating associations, i.e. subsistence farmers, fisher-folk, women and youth groups.
