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Tropentag, September 16 - 18, 2015 in Berlin, Germany

"Management of land use systems for enhanced food security –
conflicts, controversies and resolutions"


Community-Led Innovations for Sustainable Land Use. Lessons from the Association of Indigenous and Peasant Producers of Riosucio (ASPROINCA) in Colombia

Julia Wäger, Willington Ortiz

Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, Research Group Future Energy and Mobility Structures, Germany


Abstract


Despite a long history of sustainable land use approaches in Colombia, a significant dissemination and impact however fail to appear until today. Possible reasons are lack of technical know-how, conceptual failures, economic difficulties and pending operational methodologies. To investigate possible successful implementation and management frameworks, a field research in Colombia focuses community-led initiatives that demonstrate success in implementation and promotion of sustainable land use innovations at small-scale level. With an existence of nearly 20 years, the Association of Indigenous and Peasant Producers of Riosucio (ASPROINCA) draws one example of such a successful community-led initiative that implements domestic biogas plants as one innovation out of their integrative approach towards sustainable land use. The field research analyses how the community-led process was configured and which factors and mechanisms more likely contributed to achieve success. Within the association's socio-economic cover and institutional margin, success factors in social, economic, environmental, legal, educational and technological dimensions are identified and explored. Furthermore especially the role of so-called ‘promoters' is analyzed: Which factors do characterise a promoter and what is its central aim? How does the promoters programme contribute to the general development of ASPROINCA and which lessons can be applied to other cases? Through expert interviews and surveys in the field, according data is generated and offers an in deep analysis of the case in terms of success and the promoters program. On the one hand, it can be identified that mutual learning between farmers and promoters fosters trust and team spirit and reflects a basic condition for the initiatives success. On the other hand, the rotary fund plays a central role and allows the practical implementation of sustainable land use innovations. Hence, the field research reflects a multi-dimensional and transdisciplinary study that fosters further development of sustainable land use practices in Colombia.


Keywords: Asproinca, biogas, Colombia, community-led, innovation, promoter, success


Contact Address: Julia Wäger, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, Research Group Future Energy and Mobility Structures, Döppersberg 19, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany, e-mail: julia.waeger@wupperinst.org


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