‘I became a researcher because I want to recover my culture. How our ancestors really were.’ - Hugo Díaz Mirabal, From Puinave People
Life cycle
2018 to 2021
Country/Region
Colombia
Client/Partner
UK Government’s Empowerment Fund
Vision
The programme aims to support indigenous communities in Colombia by providing them with necessary tools for their cultural survival and welfare through strengthening their cultural heritage systems and exploring ways for their sustainability. This was achieved by reinforcing their cultural values and economic system while maintaining their way of living and remaining sustainable both environmentally and their traditional customs.
Situation
In 2004, Colombia began integrating the concept of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) into its cultural heritage management framework. By 2006, the country had signed the 2003 UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention, officially ratifying it in 2008. Since then, Colombia has developed a comprehensive set of ICH rules and policies to preserve and promote its rich cultural heritage. Colombia recognizes 110 indigenous groups spread across the country, each contributing to the nation's cultural diversity. Efforts are ongoing to potentially recognise additional indigenous groups in the future, ensuring that their unique traditions and practices are preserved and celebrated.
Implementation
The Cultural Heritage for Inclusive Growth programme in Colombia aimed to foster economic development through cultural heritage, aiding indigenous groups' sustainable survival. It engaged six indigenous groups across four regions: Caribbean (Ette Ennaka), Andean Cordillera (Misak), Orinoquía (Yaruro and Cuiba), and Amazon (Piaroa and Puinave).In the first year, the programme focused on building trust with communities and reinforced cultural transmission and craft-making skills. The second year focused on indigenous governance and associative processes for managing goods and products, including eco-tourism. By the end, a trading event showcased products from all regions, and the Piaroa and Puinave organised the first Amazonian eco-touristic experience. The programme was supported by partners like Fundación Etnollano and Asociación Teje Teje.
Impact
The programme had a profound impact on small indigenous communities, fostering trust and autonomy over its three-year duration. Despite challenges such as displacement and societal influences, enthusiasm for the project remained high, leading to tangible outcomes. Through diverse activities involving elders, adults, and youth, cultural heritage was reclaimed and shared, fostering a deeper appreciation for its role in community cohesion and economic growth. Despite pandemic-related setbacks, the programme remained adaptable and inclusive, empowering all members, particularly women and youth, to contribute. Overall, the CH4IG programme left communities stronger, with enhanced cultural pride and sustainable development pathways. This is evidenced by the establishment of research and knowledge transmission groups, cultural heritage project design training, alliances with other organisations, and a commitment to the long-term preservation of cultural heritage across all participating communities.
Mutual benefit
Work between the UK and Colombia to contribute to the preservation of the cultural heritage of 6 indigenous groups, has served to build capacity in those communities whilst supporting UK’s international strategy for international aid. It was also an opportunity to learn from indigenous communities, integrating their vision and needs in the programme design, whilst respecting their values and culture, and testing the main assumptions behind Cultural Heritage preservation as way of achieving inclusive growth.
The programme contributes to UK ODA spend to support UNESCO’s Social Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities, and to achieve the goals of the Empowerment Fund by building long term relationships with local communities, strengthening sustainable economies and positioning the UK among the cultural heritage sector in Colombia.