The Suyusama Foundation is implementing an innovative project in the southwestern region of Colombia, called “Economy for Life,” which aims to transform the lives of rural communities. This project benefits 444 peasant individuals (273 women and 171 men) located in the municipalities of San Lorenzo, Chachagüí, Taminango, and La Unión, in the department of Nariño.
Building a Sustainable Future The main objective of this project is to improve the living conditions of peasants, promoting peace, gender equity, food sovereignty, and the reduction of rural poverty. To achieve this, work is focused on three key areas:
- Territorial: Community planning is promoted through life plans that encourage sustainable development, the preservation of local culture, and the creation of economic networks based on agroecology and responsible consumption.
- Organizational: Collective work and leadership, especially that of women, are strengthened with a focus on gender equity and support for solidarity entrepreneurship.
- Family: Food security is promoted with the support of School Farms and agroecological systems that reinforce families’ relationship with their natural environment.
Key Strategies for Transformation The project focuses on three main axes:
- Production for Life: Support is provided for the transition to agroecological agriculture, with technical advice and the use of native seeds, promoting biodiversity and sustainability on family farms.
- Local Economic Networks and Circuits: Productive initiatives are integrated with responsible consumption, promoting local marketing and solidarity financing. This helps strengthen the social economy and create sustainable development alternatives.
- Social Dialogue and Community Planning: Organizational capacities are fostered to influence public policies, promote gender equity, and plan territorial development. Additionally, community communication is encouraged through youth collectives that strengthen social fabric.
A Replicable Development Model The “Economy for Life” project is an example of how a community can be transformed through cooperation and sustainability. Its comprehensive approach makes it a model that can be replicated in other regions of Colombia and the world, demonstrating that it is possible to build a fairer, more equitable, and inclusive economy for all.
With this project, the Suyusama Foundation reaffirms its commitment to creating more supportive and environmentally respectful societies.
“Economy for Life” is the second phase of the project implemented by the Suyusama Foundation in partnership with Alboan, both of which are members of the Comparte Network, and with the support of the Government of Navarra (Spain).