The conservation of the Matavén Forest is also strengthened by building local capacities within the territory. Every young person who gains access to higher education represents an opportunity to reinforce Indigenous self-governance, autonomy, and community management, all essential to protecting the Matavén Forest over the long term.
The REDD+ Matavén Project celebrates the academic achievement of Diana Marcela Murcia Briceño, from the Mirador Kulaya community, in the Aiwa Kuna Tsepajibo sector, who successfully completed her professional studies and earned a degree in Social Work from Fundación Universitaria Católica del Norte.
This achievement was made possible through the ethnic higher education program Transforming Lives Fund, promoted by the REDD+ Matavén Project to improve access to professional education for Indigenous youth through tuition support and living assistance.
Climate Finance That Strengthens Capacities in the Territory
The Transforming Lives Fund shows how climate finance can become concrete benefits for the Indigenous communities of Matavén. Through this program, resources generated by forest conservation are reinvested in education, capacity building, and opportunities for young people in Matavén.
Diana Marcela’s graduation reflects the value of a model where the protection of more than one million hectares of forest is connected to self-determined development, professional training, and community well-being.
At REDD+ Matavén, forest conservation and social strengthening move forward together. Protecting the territory also means preparing new generations with the tools to contribute to internal management, support community processes, and respond to the social and environmental challenges of the Indigenous reserve.
Education for Self-Governance and Forest Conservation
The professional training of Indigenous youth contributes to strengthening the social fabric, community participation, and territorial management capacity. When trained young people return to or support their communities, they expand the possibilities for advancing self-led processes in education, health, governance, well-being, and environmental protection.
Diana Marcela’s achievement is a story of personal effort and, at the same time, a collective step forward for Matavén. Her graduation confirms that investing in higher education is also investing in territorial defense, cultural continuity, and forest conservation for future generations.
From the REDD+ Matavén Project, we celebrate this new milestone and reaffirm our commitment to continue supporting initiatives that strengthen Indigenous leadership, territorial autonomy, and the protection of the Matavén Forest.