REDD+ Project Resguardo Indígena Unificado–Selva de Mataven

The Resguardo Indígena Unificado – Selva de Matavén (RIU-SM) REDD+ project is a 30-year initiative aimed at preventing deforestation and forest degradation in the 1.46 million hectares of the Matavén Forest in eastern Colombia. The project is developed and implemented by the Asociación de Cabildos y Autoridades Tradicionales Indígenas de la Selva de Matavén (ACATISEMA), a local Indigenous association, and MEDIAMOS F&M S.A.S., an environmental services company. The project activities focus on monitoring and controlling deforestation, developing communication and information systems, and strengthening the governance of ACATISEMA. The project has been verified under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and has generated carbon credits that are sold to compensate for greenhouse gas emissions. Environmental Benefits The project has been successful in stopping deforestation, with an efficiency of 87.95% in 2018 and 89.68% in 2019. This has resulted in significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to the mitigation of climate change. The project has also helped to conserve the biodiversity of the Matavén Forest, which is home to a variety of rare and endemic species. The protection of the forest has also helped to protect wetlands and water networks in the region. Social and Community Benefits The project has provided a number of social and community benefits to the indigenous people of the RIU-SM. These benefits include: * Improved governance and organizational capacity of ACATISEMA * Increased food production and security through the establishment of Family Agri-food Production Units (FAPUS) * Training and education programs for the administration and management of natural resources * Development of productive projects to strengthen agro-food production * Improved communication and information systems * Improved transportation infrastructure * Improved access to healthcare and education * Improved housing The project is an example of how carbon offsetting can be used to generate both environmental and social benefits. By working with local communities, the project has been able to create a sustainable model for forest conservation that also improves the lives of the people who depend on the forest.