On February 23rd and 24th, we held a training workshop for members of the Association of Cabildos and Traditional Indigenous Authorities of the Matavén Forest (ACATISEMA) about REDD+ Matavén Project and its legal framework; in order to strengthen their knowledge so that they can transfer it, and define/plan next steps to guarantee the continuity of the Project.
We had 68 attendees: 17 Cabildos, 5 members of ACATISEMA Board of Directors, 14 ACATISEMA Committee Coordinators, 2 Indigenous Guard Coordinators, 8 members of ACATISEMA administrative team, 7 special guests (shamans, students, among others), 8 Coordinators of the Project and 7 MEDIAMOS team members. During the first day, attendees studied the fundamental concepts of REDD+ Matavén, its context, activities, programs and results. On the second day, they worked on the Colombian legal framework, its background and implications for the Project.
MEDIAMOS technical and educational team led the preparation of the methodology and material of the workshop: REDD+ Matavén 2023 newspaper, Project Activities tree, maps, satellite images, documents, question guide. We created 10 groups/worktables; each group worked with a tutor from MEDIAMOS on the materials, learning activities and discussions; each team presented their conclusions in plenary sessions.
At REDD+ Matavén we work under a holistic approach emphasizing on education and gender equality, seeking to create a change in behavior towards sustainable practices, through the transfer of knowledge and the empowerment of Matavén women and men. So that they are the ones leading the Project with greater autonomy; and skilled to design and develop new programs and projects to protect their natural resources and improve the well-being of their indigenous peoples.