Meeting policy challenges for a responsible biodiversity based bio-economy in Colombia
Lead Research Organisation:
University of East Anglia
Department Name: Biological Sciences
Abstract
Colombia is one of the 17 "megadiverse" countries in the world. Developing a sustainable bioeconomy based on the responsible use of its biodiversity is a priceless opportunity for the equitable, inclusive and sustainable socio-economic growth of the country. Colombia is just starting to develop and implement bioeconomic strategies and policies, as well as the related systematic assessment of the environmental and social impacts brought by such economic changes.
Our cluster will bring together academic researchers, key industry, and government and policy advisors from Colombia and the UK to contribute establishing sustainable bioeconomic strategies (Phase 1) and pilot initiatives (Phase 2) in the agri-food and scientific ecotourism sectors in four targeted regions of Colombia. These strategic sectors and regions have been identified in previous activities.
The cluster builds on three UKRI GCRF projects (>£10M investment) in Latin America, mainly Colombia, with strong complementary capacity building programmes ("GROW Colombia", "CABANA" and "UKRI GCRF Trade, Development and the Environment Hub"), two Newton-Fund projects in Colombia (BRIDGE and C3biodiversidad), and the policy work by the PIs in the UK and Colombia, who participated as experts in the Colombian President's mission to develop Colombia's Science, technology and innovation (STI) agenda. Colombian partners include business associations and the Chamber of Commerce of the targetted regions, exemplary bioeconomic business, non-profit organisations implementing ecotourism pilot projects and key Universities and Research Institutes working in these four regions from our previous activities.
The cluster in this first phase (12 months) will facilitate three regional workshops to foster multisectoral partnerships in the agri-food and ecotourism sector in four regions. It will also conduct technical assessments of the existing and required capacity as well as market opportunities and challenges in each region, and eventually propose pilot strategies to transform the value chains while conserving the natural resources and yielding transparent environmental, social and economic benefits, that could be elaborated in a second phase.
Our cluster is built on a shared vision of ensuring environmental sustainability in Colombia. Our work can be extended to other developing LATAM countries with similar needs and opportunities where our activities are already happening (Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, etc.). The cluster also responds to and interconnects various sustainable development goals (SDGs), and provides capacities to a generation of scientists, managers and industry actors crossing disciplines for the local action of such SDGs.
Our cluster will bring together academic researchers, key industry, and government and policy advisors from Colombia and the UK to contribute establishing sustainable bioeconomic strategies (Phase 1) and pilot initiatives (Phase 2) in the agri-food and scientific ecotourism sectors in four targeted regions of Colombia. These strategic sectors and regions have been identified in previous activities.
The cluster builds on three UKRI GCRF projects (>£10M investment) in Latin America, mainly Colombia, with strong complementary capacity building programmes ("GROW Colombia", "CABANA" and "UKRI GCRF Trade, Development and the Environment Hub"), two Newton-Fund projects in Colombia (BRIDGE and C3biodiversidad), and the policy work by the PIs in the UK and Colombia, who participated as experts in the Colombian President's mission to develop Colombia's Science, technology and innovation (STI) agenda. Colombian partners include business associations and the Chamber of Commerce of the targetted regions, exemplary bioeconomic business, non-profit organisations implementing ecotourism pilot projects and key Universities and Research Institutes working in these four regions from our previous activities.
The cluster in this first phase (12 months) will facilitate three regional workshops to foster multisectoral partnerships in the agri-food and ecotourism sector in four regions. It will also conduct technical assessments of the existing and required capacity as well as market opportunities and challenges in each region, and eventually propose pilot strategies to transform the value chains while conserving the natural resources and yielding transparent environmental, social and economic benefits, that could be elaborated in a second phase.
Our cluster is built on a shared vision of ensuring environmental sustainability in Colombia. Our work can be extended to other developing LATAM countries with similar needs and opportunities where our activities are already happening (Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, etc.). The cluster also responds to and interconnects various sustainable development goals (SDGs), and provides capacities to a generation of scientists, managers and industry actors crossing disciplines for the local action of such SDGs.
Planned Impact
Colombia is the second most diverse country in the world, in terms of species richness, habitats and diversity of cultures. An important part of Colombia's economy is based on natural resource extraction, biodiversity loss and its consequences on ecosystem functioning and services is a global challenge, and its negative impacts are more severely felt by poor people and countries where the dependence on natural resources is higher and the capacity to utilise them lower or lacking.
At this very important time in Colombian post-conflict history, we propose an innovative development strategy to deliver a multidisciplinary and integrated approach, which connects multi-sectoral institutions in the UK and Colombia to develop a shared vision centred on a biodiversity-based economy as a means to achieve sustainability and social and economic prosperity. Our short-term goal is to build research capacity, partnerships and knowledge, with a longer-term goal of stimulating economic and social growth around biodiversity.
In order to maximise the impact of its activities, the cluster builds on existing UKRI and Newton-Fund investments, existing partnerships, and novel engagements with industry, NGOs and government at the national and regional levels in order to contribute establishing sustainable bioeconomic strategies (Phase 1) and pilot initiatives (Phase 2) in the agri-food and scientific ecotourism sectors in four targeted regions of Colombia. These strategic sectors and regions have been identified in previous activities. It is only by bringing together expertise from different disciplines and multi-sectoral perspectives that we can address the challenges of developing countries and effectively contribute to policymaking and implementation.
The cluster will deliver transversal impact through clear measurable outcomes aimed at (a) strengthening multi-sectoral (academia, industry, government) partnerships in the agri-food and scientific tourism sectors, (b) enhancing the economic development of Colombian regions around pilot strategies, (c) facilitating advanced skills and best practices amongst key actors in the potential sectors.
At this very important time in Colombian post-conflict history, we propose an innovative development strategy to deliver a multidisciplinary and integrated approach, which connects multi-sectoral institutions in the UK and Colombia to develop a shared vision centred on a biodiversity-based economy as a means to achieve sustainability and social and economic prosperity. Our short-term goal is to build research capacity, partnerships and knowledge, with a longer-term goal of stimulating economic and social growth around biodiversity.
In order to maximise the impact of its activities, the cluster builds on existing UKRI and Newton-Fund investments, existing partnerships, and novel engagements with industry, NGOs and government at the national and regional levels in order to contribute establishing sustainable bioeconomic strategies (Phase 1) and pilot initiatives (Phase 2) in the agri-food and scientific ecotourism sectors in four targeted regions of Colombia. These strategic sectors and regions have been identified in previous activities. It is only by bringing together expertise from different disciplines and multi-sectoral perspectives that we can address the challenges of developing countries and effectively contribute to policymaking and implementation.
The cluster will deliver transversal impact through clear measurable outcomes aimed at (a) strengthening multi-sectoral (academia, industry, government) partnerships in the agri-food and scientific tourism sectors, (b) enhancing the economic development of Colombian regions around pilot strategies, (c) facilitating advanced skills and best practices amongst key actors in the potential sectors.
Organisations
- University of East Anglia (Lead Research Organisation)
- Alexander von Humboldt Biological Resources Research Institute (Collaboration)
- Icesi University (Collaboration)
- Ecoflora Cares (Collaboration)
- Business Association for the Development of the Orinoquia (ASORINOQUIA) (Collaboration)
- Technological University of Pereira (Collaboration)
- Transforma (Collaboration)
- University of the Andes (Collaboration)
- Cali Chamber of Commerce (Collaboration)
- Government of Colombia (Collaboration)
- EARLHAM INSTITUTE (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON (Collaboration)
Publications
Ferrini S
(2021)
Bioeconomy opportunities for four Colombian regions
Ferrini S
(2021)
Bioeconomy oportunities for four Colombian regions
| Title | Orinoquía: Promoviendo la bioeconomía a través del ecoturismo |
| Description | The video shows some of the activities associated with ecotourism, and how these activities generated positive impacts on the environment and also on socioeconomic conditions for local communities. This video shows the importance of developing ecotourism initiatives in a region that is still under discovery, in particular after the peace process agreements. There are very good examples of how private preserves and agroindustrial activities like palm oil, can benefit from the implementation of ecotourism. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | We expect that this video reach new clients, from Colombia as well as from abroad, generating additional promotion of the place, and the tourism routes, in particular the cowboy's safari (safari llanero), a recent route developed by the Gobernación in collaboration with different tour operators and local researchers. |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89B_bTD33bE |
| Title | Videos of the sessions of the workshop: The state of the bioeconomy in Colombia, its progress and challenges in four regions within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals |
| Description | The videos correspond to the recordings of each of the sessions of the Bioeconomy Workshop. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Forty-nine speakers, including international researchers and renowned professionals on bioeconomy in Colombia were invited to the event. Several plenary talks were held as well as sessions with discussion panels focused on the difficulties, challenges and opportunities identified in each region. The videos of the sessions are available and can be consulted by people interested in bioeconomy. |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZvDkaKP44k&list=PL1uLCv2HnIBb1JWxJJPUmdzez-N6PXLSI |
| Title | Videos: Regional Workshops |
| Description | The bioeconomy cluster team planned and carried out three regional bioeconomy workshops in Antioquia, Valle del Cauca and Orinoquia. The general purpose of the workshops was to strengthen bioeconomy networks and establish new ones, and formulate sustainable bioeconomy strategies and pilot initiatives in each of the three regions. Key actors from academia, industry and government, currently working to promote the development of the bioeconomy in each of the regions participated in the workshops. A participative and dynamic methodology, following the Logical Framework Approach (DNP, 2017*) to project formulation, was used in each workshop. To kick off the workshops, facilitators presented the objectives and methodology as well as state of the art information on each region's bioeconomies. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Through regional workshops we were able to determine which are the sectors of the bioeconomy with the greatest strengths and weaknesses in each of the three regions. Additionally, for the Orinoquía region the workshop allowed us to define three potential research project for which we are seeking for funds. |
| Description | The bioeconomy cluster management team planned and carried out three regional bioeconomy workshops: Antioquia, Valle del Cauca and Orinoquia. The workshop that was planned for the Coffee Region was not possible to consolidate since the participants were giving priority to other regional activities due to the serious social situation that the country was experiencing at that time. The general purpose of the workshops was to strengthen bioeconomy networks and establish new ones, and formulate sustainable bioeconomy strategies and pilot initiatives in each of the three regions. Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, the regional workshops were carried out virtually. Key actors from academia, industry and government, currently working to promote the development of the bioeconomy in each of the regions participated in the workshops Based on the regional bioeconomy baseline assessments and after analysing the results of the regional workshops, the development needs and potentials of each region, as well as key actor motivation and institutional support, the cluster team opted to formulate a portfolio of bioeconomy pilot projects together with our cluster partners in the Orinoquia region. The ultimate goal of formulating a portfolio of bioeconomy pilot projects for the Orinoquia region is to obtain funds from Colombian and/or international financing institutions to implement the projects. Three bioeconomy pilot projects make up the portfolio. These pilot projects are formulated to act as stand-alone projects or as a bioeconomy programme for the region. The socioeconomic team conducted an extensive desk-research work to identify bioeconomy stakeholders and projects in the Orinoquía, Valle del Cauca, Coffee Zone and Antioquia. We gathered information of more than 600 actors working in bioeconomy in these regions. Our main sources of information were governmental databases of bioeconomy actors and results from Internet search engines. The project generated a video that links bioeconomy and ecotourism in Colombia´s Orinoco Grasslands. The project also developed an app to promote nature observation of birds and frogs with kids (12-18 years old). The name of the app is FAUNY. This app promotes observation of key species in two regions of Colombia: Chinchiná river basin and Tatamá National Park buffer zone. Two on-line training events were organised during 2020 and 2021. On December 9th, 11th and 14th the Online Training Workshop "Methods and tools for biodiversity and ecosystem services valuation and management" was held. The training was focused on the practical application of methods for ecosystems services and biodiversity valuation and their use for informing policy decision-making. The virtual workshop entitled "The state of the bioeconomy in Colombia, its progress and challenges in four regions within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals" was held between March 15 and 19, 2021. The workshop was organised by the Humboldt Institute, ICESI, University of the Andes and the University of East Anglia. |
| Exploitation Route | We envision that the cluster will serve as a multi-actor and multi-sectoral collaborative platform through which bioeconomic initiatives can be fostered and implemented. Our cluster is built on a shared vision of ensuring environmental sustainability in Colombia, responding to and interconnecting many sustainable development goals (SDGs). Through its partnership, the cluster will also engage the active participation of our essential but often overlooked partners, the indigenous populations inhabiting the most biodiverse areas, the wider farming communities and displaced communities seeking to reintegrate through new educational and economic opportunities. The multisectoral aspect of the cluster composition will provide a training platform for a new generation of scientists, managers and industry crossing disciplines and contributing actionable programmes for the translation of SDGs. Although Colombia will be the primary beneficiary of our activities, we will extend our work to other Latin-American countries (where other projects run by partners have already established partnerships and trust), such as Mexico, Costa Rica, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia and Ecuador, all placed on the DAC list and facing similar issues of preserving unique biodiversity while promoting the sustainable use of the land and economic growth. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Energy,Environment,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| URL | https://bridgecolombia.org/en/projects/bioeconomy-cluster/ |
| Description | With the activities developed in the project, we were able to draw attention to the state of the bioeconomy in Colombia and how we can take advantage of the potential that the country has in terms of biodiversity to obtain benefits that favour the communities, always with a vision of sustainability. The project was focused in four regions of Colombia that have very particular conditions for the development of different bioeconomy strategies. Given the characteristics and potential of the regions, we consider that a single bioeconomy cannot be managed for Colombia, but rather that local capacities must be developed in order to use them in a sustainable way and join the links of the value chain to generate benefits to the communities. An example of this is the great natural and cultural richness of the Orinoquía and how it can be used in a sustainable way by implementing tourism of nature or ecotourism practices. The project managed to bring together people from different sectors: academia, government, industry, local communities, so that bioeconomy options could be discussed in the same language. This is an important achievement because a complete look at the panorama of the bioeconomy in the regions was given, considering all the actors involved. Additionally, we were able to define areas and problems that can be addressed to generate new productive projects, in which each link in the value chain is taken into account. For the Orinoquía region, we were able to define at least 3 projects focused on oil palm crops, including a component of biodiversity associated with palm crops and surrounding areas, another of better agricultural practices that allows reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and a component associated with the use of bioproducts for the production of biomethane that can be used as a replacement for the diesel currently used. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2020 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Energy,Environment,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism |
| Impact Types | Societal |
| Title | Bioeconomy actors survey for regional workshops |
| Description | The dataset has been compiled through a survey administered to companies and organisation operating in bioeconomy sectors in Colombia. The dataset includes general information about the company/organisation (name, type, operational profile), information on current and prospective activities (sector, use or resources), information on requisites and outcomes of bioeconomy activities. The dataset is anonymised and the survey has undergone ethical approval process. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The dataset has been used by project's researchers to produce knowledge for informing the regional stakeholders' workshops and the selection of bioeconomy projects. |
| Title | Bioeconomy opportunities for four Colombian regions |
| Description | Data handling and generation of monitoring framework for bioeconomy opportunities assessment are used to analyse a set of secondary data from Colombian official sources of information (e.g., DANE, Fedegan). The data collated and analysed include economic data (e.g. GDP, agricultural production, access to market), social data (e.g. education, innovation, safety), and environmental data (e.g. environmental impacts, key habitats). The novel monitoring framework is developed based on clustering and data reduction methods and aims to generate a standardised monitoring system for bioeconomy investments and operations in Colombia. |
| Type Of Material | Data handling & control |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The monitoring framework has been used by project's researchers to produce knowledge for informing the regional stakeholders' workshops and the selection of bioeconomy projects. |
| Title | Bioeconomy projects and initiatives in four regions of Colombia |
| Description | The dataset includes general information on the bioeconomy projects and initiatives that are being developed in four regions of Colombia: Antioquia, Valle del Cauca, Orinoquía and Eje Cafetero. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The dataset has been used by project's researchers to select the projects/initiatives that will be evaluated during the regional workshops. |
| Description | Asorinoquia |
| Organisation | Business Association for the Development of the Orinoquia (ASORINOQUIA) |
| Country | Colombia |
| Sector | Learned Society |
| PI Contribution | We are collaborating with Asoorinoquia in establishing a bioeconomy cluster and in planning and executing several of its activities. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Asorinoquia is providing input data on suitable bioeconomy projects for the Orinoco region. |
| Impact | Establishing cluster Data for cluster activities i.e. trainings and workshops |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Bioeconomy cluster and Chamber of Commerce in Cali |
| Organisation | Cali Chamber of Commerce |
| Country | Colombia |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | We are collaborating with the Cali Chamber of Commerce to identify suitable bioeconomy projects to assess in the cluster. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Cali Chamber of Commerce is identifying bioeconomy projects in the Valley region as input to cluster activities. |
| Impact | Establishing cluster Input data for cluster activities i.e. trainings and workshops |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Bioeconomy cluster and Earlham Institute |
| Organisation | Earlham Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We are collaborating with Earlham Institute in establishing a bioeconomy cluster and in planning and executing several of its activities. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Earlham Institute is collaborating in planning and executing some of the cluster activities. |
| Impact | Establishment of cluster Organising and executing cluster activities i.e. trainings and workshops |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Bioeconomy cluster and Ecoflora Cares |
| Organisation | Ecoflora Cares |
| Country | Colombia |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | We are collaborating with Ecoflora Cares in establishing a bioeconomy cluster. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Ecoflora Cares has provided insight on several bioeconomy projects that can be considered under the cluster. |
| Impact | Establishing cluster Providing input for cluster activities i.e. trainings and workshops |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Bioeconomy cluster and Humboldt Institute |
| Organisation | Alexander von Humboldt Biological Resources Research Institute |
| Country | Colombia |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | We are collaborating with Humboldt Institute in establishing a bioeconomy cluster and in planning and executing several of its activities. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Humboldt Institute is collaborating in planning and executing some of the cluster activities. |
| Impact | Establishing cluster Organising and executing cluster activities i.e. trainings and workshops |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Bioeconomy cluster and ICESI University |
| Organisation | ICESI University |
| Country | Colombia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have worked together with ICESI University to establish the bioeconomy cluster in Colombia. This means working together to plan cluster activities e.g. capacity building and regional workshops. |
| Collaborator Contribution | We have worked together with ICESI University to establish the bioeconomy cluster in Colombia. This means working together to plan cluster activities e.g. capacity building and regional workshops. |
| Impact | Establishment of an the bioeconmy cluster Working to plan and execute cluster activities (workshops) |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Bioeconomy cluster and Ministry of Science and Technology, Technology and Innovation |
| Organisation | Government of Colombia |
| Department | Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation |
| Country | Colombia |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | We are reflecting elements of the Ministry´s bioeconomy policy in our bioeconomy cluster and research. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Ministry is collaborating to identify bioeconomy projects that can be studied in the cluster and they are supporting the establishment of the cluster and its activities. |
| Impact | Establishing cluster Input for cluster activities i.e. trainings and workshops |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Bioeconomy cluster and Transforma |
| Organisation | Transforma |
| Country | Colombia |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | We are exploring how to develop ecotourism research opportunities in Colombia together with Transforma. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Transforma is contributing with it experiences to guide cluster activities on ecotourism. |
| Impact | Several ecotourism projects have been identified that are being studied under the cluster. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Bioeconomy cluster and Universidad Tecnologica de Pereira |
| Organisation | Technological University of Pereira |
| Country | Colombia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We are collaborating with Technological University of Pereira in establishing a bioeconomy cluster and in planning and executing several of its activities. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Technological University of Pereira is collaborating in planning and executing some of the cluster activities. |
| Impact | Establishing cluster Organising and executing cluster activities i.e. trainings and workshops |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Bioeconomy cluster and Universidad de los Andes |
| Organisation | University of the Andes |
| Country | Colombia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have supported the Universidad de los Andes in its leadership position in establishing a bioeconomy cluster in Colombia. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Universidad de los Andes is leading the establishment of a bioeconomy cluster in Colombia. They are leading on the organization and execution of all cluster activities. |
| Impact | Establishment of a bioeconomy cluster Preparation of cluster activities (workshops and trainings) |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Bioeconomy cluster and University of Southampton |
| Organisation | University of Southampton |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We are collaborating with the University of Southampton in establishing a bioeconomy cluster and in planning and executing several of its activities. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The University of Southampton is collaborating in planning and executing some of the cluster activities. |
| Impact | Establishing cluster Organising and executing cluster activities i.e. trainings and workshops |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Title | FAUNY |
| Description | The project also developed an app to promote nature observation of birds and frogs with kids (12-18 years old). The name of the app is FAUNY. This app promotes observation of key species in two regions of Colombia: Chinchiná river basin and Tatamá National Park buffer zone The app has two main focus groups for observation: birds and frogs. These groups have two difficulty levels: easy and medium. Kids select which level they want to start with, as well as the area where the species belongs to. We start with two areas: Chinchiná river basin, in the coffee growing zone and Tatamá National park and buffer areas in Risaralda departamento. We will give some basic information to kids like scientific name, common name, species physical description, habitat and behaviour, threat classification, distribution maps and basic songs. With this information the kids will be able to complete challenges, like taking a picture of the species, drawing the species, sending pictures of feeding and most usual things they eat. |
| Type Of Technology | Webtool/Application |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Open Source License? | Yes |
| Impact | This tool will help to increase their competence in bird and frog's identification, so that they become better fauna observers. Also kids are wonderful ambassadors in order to take the messages of urgency of conservation to their families. |
| Description | Antioquia Regional Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | The Antioquia regional workshop took place virtually on the 5th of May 2021. Representatives from 17 governmental, industry and academia local institutions were identified and invited to participate in the workshop. The workshop had a positive participant turnout (26 participants) as several participants from each invited institution attended the workshop. Participants identified that the main challenge for the development of the region's bioeconomy is: "A limited adoption of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in agricultural production reduces the possibilities of value addition and fair and equitable distribution of benefits in value chains". The three main issues causing this challenge were identified as: 1. Disconnected value chains are not used at the local or regional level to generate added value. 2. Low productivity and risks to guarantee food safety. 3. Low insertion in local and international markets. Using the identified main challenge and its main causes as a starting point, participants identified three possible strategic routes and activities in which investments could positively promote the development of the bioeconomy in Antioquia. The identified bioeconomy strategic routes and activities were the following: Route 1: Connecting agricultural residual biomass and subproducts within the value chains using ICTs packages. Activities: 1. Characterise the sensory, functional, biopotential, agronomic, accessibility, bioavailability, climate change, physical, chemical and physicochemical competitive advantages of agricultural biomass and natural resources ; 2. Design, adopt and transfer ICT tools to connect selected crop's value chains and articulate actors around selected value chains; 3. Carry out ICT pilots for selected crops (e.g. jagua, carrots, beans) and for agricultural residues or subproducts. Route 2: Guaranteeing food security using ICT packages to prioritize crop selection, and improve crop management and monitoring. Activities: 1. Design an ICT package to identify and propagate high quality seeds and plants that increase crop productivity and quality. 2. Validate and implement a bio-technological package for the preventive management of diseases, pests, plant nutrition and biostimulation. 3. Develop crop monitoring systems to inform crop planning and to identify changes in productivity. Route 3: Improve insertion to local and international markets. Activities: 1. Mapping of actors, determining their needs and relationships with technology; 2. Carry out market research, define different market segments, characterise demand and interpellation, and understand how producers take decisions; 3. Link small producers to supply chains to shorten production to market lead times; 4. Design data driven decision making and capacity building mechanisms and programes. As a result of the workshop the bioeconomy begins to be consolidated at the regional level with a more holistic perspective |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Biodiversity is key to economic development in Colombia |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Press release announcing publication of two GROW Colombia socio-economics reports about Colombia's bio-economy |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.uea.ac.uk/news/-/article/biodiversity-key-to-economic-development-in-colombia |
| Description | Canning House Sustainable Agribusiness and Innovation online event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Canning House's Sustainable Development series of events and conferences focuses on the themes of the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the aims of the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in a Latin American context. Canning House created a Sustainable Development Series to take place in the months leading up to COP26. Their Sustainable Development Series began on 6th October 2020 with a webinar on Adaptation and Resilience. Following this introductory session, they covered key infrastructure areas in the Sustainable Cities & Water event in December, and then re-worked the renewables conference to focus on The Energy Transition back in March. The Agribusiness & Innovation conference followed their flagship Biodiversity event, organised in partnership with ECLAC, the ILO, the UN and The Dasgupta Review. Panel session with panelists discussing the different areas in which innovation is at the heart of agribusiness, including production of biofuels, developments in agri-tech, and how digitalization is improving sustainability. The panel was followed by a presentation by Prof Federica Di Palma on relationship between agribusiness, biodiversity, and bioeconomics. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.canninghouse.org/events/sustainable-agribusiness-and-innovation |
| Description | Collaboration with ANDI (National Business Association of Colombia) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The project was introduced to the National Business Association of Colombia. The director of the Water Institute from ANDI the director of Biocosmetics Chamber also presented the structure of ANDI and explained what business Chambers were more relevant for the project . The discussion was around how to improve the outreach of the project through the associates of ANDI . As a result of this engagement, ANDI agreed to collaborate with the project and circulate a survey to assess bioeconomy status in Colombia and to support implementation of the workshops through they media channels and as requested by the management team. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Collaboration with Biocarbono |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | The discussion focused on the identification of initiatives that are of common interest between Biocarbono and the Cluster project that can be developed in the Orinoquia region As a result of this engagement, new encounters were planned to delve into each of these common themes trough different work tables. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Eden Festival of Discovery - Panel |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Festival of Discovery runs from 11th to 13th November 2021. The Festival of Discovery is all about exploring what a better future might look like for individuals and communities, under this year's theme - Together for our Planet. Coinciding with the end of COP26, we'll be debating ideas for a more sustainable future, connecting with people from across the UK through lively discussions, sharing top tips and activities you can do at home, and inspiring stories covering topics from community action, connection to nature, and growing, to wellbeing, resilience and much more! Life without coffee or chocolate - live panel discussion Why Colombian megadiversity holds the key to a more sustainable future. In this session we will discuss why Colombia is so important to the rest of the world, the challenges it face and how these can be addressed and how COP26 and COP15 can drive meaningful change in one of the world's most biodiverse countries. Purpose of the event; 1. to profile the impact and legacy of the GROW Colombia collaboration 2. to take stock of the outcomes of COP26 and what they mean for Colombia's future 3. to look ahead to COP15 in April 2022 with some advocacy messages to provide continuity between these global governance events. The event was a large public engagement event aimed at audiences to bring science and the theme of biodiversity to a wider audience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://thefestivalofdiscovery.com/ |
| Description | Engagement with Cenicaña |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The project was presented to Cenicaña, the research institute on sugarcane in Colombia. From Cenicaña participated the directors of processes, sustainable energy production and alternative business, and the research team working on socio economics aspects of sugarcane production. The Cenicaña team raised their concerns about the type of projects that should be selected for the regional cluster of Valle del Cauca. They presented some projects on sustainable use of sugarcane that could be relevant for the cluster. As a result, Cenicaña asked to be involved in the training events and agreed to share information about their initiatives that could be considered by the cluster. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Engagement with Justus-Liebig University |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | The main objective of the meeting was to explore options for collaboration between the two institutions (Uniandes and JLU) and define potential research projects in which the two institutions can work together. As a result of this meeting, a work team was defined that will support the formulation of projects focused on oil palm and that may be submitted to Horizon Europe or the DFG. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Engagement with Tropical Forest Alliance |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | The project was presented to TFA. From TFA they presented the initiatives and the work they are doing in Colombia and in the region. As a result it was agreed to set up a meeting to discuss TFA´s COP 26 engagement strategy, also set up a meeting with Alisos to discuss cacao research results (demand and supply). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Engagement with Vice Ministry of Tourism |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The project was introduced to the Vice Ministry of Tourism. The proposal on ecotourism in the Orinoquia region was presented. The discussion focused on how the proposal could be better focused to make it more viable, and the Vice Ministry group also suggested reviewing the FONTUR manual to identify financing options. The Vice Ministry offered the formation of a formulating team that would support during the construction of the proposal and the application for funds. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Meeting with the Mayor's Office of Mapiripán - Mapiripán Ecotourism Project |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | During the meeting, the government secretary of the mayor's office of Mapiripán presented the advances in ecotourism issues that are being developed in the region. Along with the secretary was the formulator team that is working to fine-tune the project to be submitted for funding. From the Universidad de los Andes, contributions were given on how it could advance in the development of a tourism product that would make the project more competitive. From Poligrow, all the baseline information that has been collected in the different investigations focused on the characterization of biodiversity was made available. As a result, new meetings were scheduled with the formulating team to define a tourism product and adjust the proposal to submit it to financing. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Orinoquia Regional Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | The Orinoquia regional workshop took place virtually on the 27th of April 2021. Representatives from 11 local institutions from government, industry and academia were identified and invited to participate in the workshop. Workshop participants identified the main challenge for the development of the region's bioeconomy to be: "Deficient planning to promote sustainable production practices and the conservation of biodiversity". Using the identified main challenge and its main causes as a starting point, participants identified three possible strategic routes and activities in which investments could positively promote the development of the bioeconomy in the Orinoquia region. The identified bioeconomy strategic routes and activities were the following: Route 1: Increasing protected areas and complementary conservation strategies (both in public and private figures) for strategic ecosystems in the region. Activities: 1. Identify and promote sites where nature tourism projects are being developed, for instance Cravo Sur in Orocue, Lagunazo in Trinidad and Los Hatos in San Luis, among others; 2. Support the establishment of an ethnobiological research center to promote scientific tourism; 3. Strengthen capacities, promote awareness-raising and environmental education activities in the communities to value non-timber forest products, and articulate tourism companies with communities; 4. Create biodiversity banks in strategic conservation areas next to palm oil crops to fulfill voluntary conservation objectives; 5. Expand knowledge on nature tourism and scientific tourism public policies and programs at the local and regional level. Route 2: Implementing regenerative agricultural practices in the palm oil sector that reduce the use of chemicals, increase soil fertility, and incorporate social and ecosystem considerations. Activities: 1. Train producers in palm oil regenerative agriculture and sustainable cattle ranching practices applied in the main ecosystems found in the Orinoquia flat lands; 2. Identify financial tools and lessons learnt from other sectors; 3. Identify payment for ecosystem service schemes applied in the agroecosystems; 4. Set-up a monitoring and evaluation system for CO2 emissions generated by regenerative agricultural practices; 5. Develop a geographical information system linked to areas where regenerative agricultural practices take place. Route 3: Promoting strategies to use the agricultural residues from palm oil production to produce biogas, biofertilizers and biomaterials. Activities: 1. Implement biomethane pilot projects for use in rural households and by conventional combustion engines; 2. Promote dissemination strategies, training and technical support for the different uses of palm oil residues; 3. Design a pilot project in biofertilizers production from palm oil solid and liquid waste; 4. Design a regenerative agriculture pilot project to reduce the concentration of aluminum in the soil; 5. Formulate strategies to produce biomaterials for the construction sector from palm oil production residues. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Sustainable Palm oil cultivation in Colombia |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | During the meeting each party was invited to do a small presentation (about 3 minutes) about their company or institution and relevant projects on sustainable oil palm cultivation. The institutions that participated in the meeting were the following: - UNIDO ITPO Germany - Justus-Liebig University - PalmWoodNet - Poligrow - Universidad de los Andes - University of Wageningen - RSPO Latin America As a result a collaboration between Uniandes and JLU was established. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | The state of the bioeconomy in Colombia, its progress and challenges in four regions within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The virtual workshop "The state of the bioeconomy in Colombia, its progress and challenges in four regions within the Sustainable Development Goals framework" was held between March 15th and 19th, 2021. In the workshop, the global bioeconomy trends were presented and the bioeconomy development trends in Colombia were discussed, with special emphasis on 4 regions: Antioquia, Coffee Zone, Orinoquía and Valle del Cauca. Key note speakers were invited each day and hundreds of person, including students, practitioners, industry members, and the general public were reached each day. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://bridgecolombia.org/en/projects/bioeconomy-cluster/ |
| Description | UNFCCC Global Innovation Hub Event (COP26) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Event held at COP26 in Glasgow as part of a session organised with the UNFCCC (organizing body of the COP). Climate-KIC is working with the UNFCCC as a core partner in the UNFCCC Innovation Hub, to showcase systemic transformation efforts around the world and the need for greater efforts in this regard. This session is part of the UNFCCC focus on Shelter. Shelter is one of the most essential human needs and at the same time one of the principal forms of expression of meaning, identity, safety and aspiration. Human shelter in its various forms - houses, offices, villages, cities, farms, factories, infrastructure - accounts for more than 70% of global emissions and is amongst the most at-risk elements of human existence from the effects of climate change, whether from storm surge and sea level rise, from extreme rain and wind events, or water stress, heat impacts, insect plagues and wildfire. What we choose to do with our approach to shelter going forward holds the keys to our survival. The sessions in this Innovation Hub event will explore multiple perspectives, innovation ideas, research and insights, new businesses, movements, and collaborations with respect to the choices and options we have to transform our ways of thinking about and creating or re-creating shelter - to protect ourselves, to protect our future and to regenerate the planet. The four topics anchoring the sessions will be: shelter as a human need and expression of relationship with the world, individual and social; shelter in crisis and as an object for climate adaptation innovation; shelter as a means to decarbonisation and climate change mitigation; and shelter as a means to reframe and renew our relationship with nature, reframing our planet as our shelter. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Valle del Cauca Regional Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | The Valle del Cauca regional workshop took place virtually on the 6th of May 2021. Representatives from nine governmental, industry, and academia local institutions were identified and invited to participate in the workshop. However, representatives from only two of these institutions participated in the workshop due to the wave of social unrest and violence that hit the region during April and May 2021. Despite the situation, the workshop's programme was successfully implemented together with attending participants. Workshop participants identified the main challenge for the development of the region's bioeconomy to be: "The companies in the Valle del Cauca region do not take full advantage of the productive, environmental and social potential of local natural ingredients applicable in the cosmetic / food / health industries". The three main issues causing this challenge were identified as: 1. Lack of standardization models for bio-ingredients that are usable in different sectors of the bioeconomy. 2. Lack of local industry's value chains and disarticulated players in the production of natural ingredients. 3. Poor investment ecosystem for the integration of policies that promote the use and production of bioingredients. Using the identified main challenge and its main causes as a starting point, participants identified three possible strategic routes and activities in which investments could positively promote the development of the bioeconomy in the Valle del Cauca region (Appendices 13, 14 and 15). The identified bioeconomy strategic routes and activities were the following: Route 1: Designing bioingredient standardization models and processes for different sectors in the region's bioeconomy. Activities: 1. Develop proof of concept and prototypes for prioritised bioingredients; 2. Establish a capacity development network; 3. Identify the cosmetics industry's used quality criteria for bioingredients. Route 2: Strengthening value chains and articulating key players to produce value-added natural ingredients for the cosmetics industry. Activities: 1. Implement technical, environmental, social and economic criteria in a pilot test with bioingredients suppliers; 2. Establish working groups to integrate and replicate successful value chain models with agricultural producers, academia, companies, local governments; 3. Promote spin-offs / start-ups that respond to needs and develop technologies for the cosmetic products sector; 4. Implement a pilot for bioingredients transformation (preprocessing). Route 3: Establishing an adequate investment ecosystem to integrate policies that promote the use and production of bio-inputs. Activities: 1. Identify and adapt incentives (tax / fiscal) and economic tools linked to the use of bioingredients; 2. Identify the market potential for cosmetics that employ sustainably produced bioingredients; 3. Promote marketing strategies for cosmetic, food and health products that use sustainably produced bioingredients; 4. Design private incentives (monetary and non-monetary) for using sustainably produced bioingredients. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Work table: Productive systems (Collaboration with Biocarbono) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | The objective of the meeting was the comparative analysis of productive bets and comparison of conventional production systems vs sustainable low-carbon models, having as main focus the oil palm in the Orinoquia region. The possibility of implementing the extended cost benefit analyzes that have been implemented in livestock farming was also discussed. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Work table: Training of trainers (Collaboration with Biocarbono) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | A table focused on the generation of a regional platform for knowledge management that allows strengthening regional / local capacities and combining, in the best possible way, the advantages of virtual and face-to-face, in the context of the Orinoquia. As a result of these meetings, it was possible to contact the Continuing Education office of the Universidad de los Andes to support these training and education processes so that these skills and knowledge can be transmitted and implemented in the region. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |