In the heart of the Chocó, where the jungle is more than scenery and water shapes the paths, the communities of the Consejo Comunitario Mayor de Pedeguita y Mancilla firmly lead a project that protects the forest, safeguards life, and transforms realities. Since 2020, their REDD+ initiative has been more than a conservation strategy: it’s a process of empowerment and community organization.
🌍 A living and organized territory
Located in the municipalities of Riosucio, Carmen del Darién, and Belén de Bajirá, this project protects more than 10,793 hectares of forest and has achieved the verified reduction of 749,045 tons of CO₂, under the CERCARBONO standard. It is one of the most robust forest conservation efforts in the region, with a 40-year vision, led by those who live in and know the territory.
Internal governance is one of its key pillars. The formation of the REDD+ Committee, along with the update of the Community Census, has strengthened the Council’s capacity to make decisions, distribute responsibilities, and move forward with long-term vision. Here, decisions are made collectively, with active participation from local coordinators and community leaders.
🛠️ Social infrastructure for collective care
One of the most significant achievements has been the construction and improvement of the Playa Roja Community House, made possible through social investment from the project. This space is not only used for meetings, archives, and offices: it also serves as the nerve center for social cohesion, conflict resolution, environmental education, and cultural preservation.
Thanks to strong local leadership, three phases of the building project have been completed, including flooring, painting, tiling, electrical work, ventilation, and furnishings. Resources have also been secured for its full functionality, ensuring a safe, dignified, and operational space.
💧 Climate emergency? Collective action.
The project has also responded directly to climate challenges. During the 2025 rainy season, the Community Council led emergency efforts, using machinery to clean drainage canals in communities like Santa María, El Abierto, and Bijao Onofre. These actions prevented greater losses and strengthened local resilience to climate change.
Disaster prevention and labor reconversion projects were also designed to provide sustainable economic alternatives and reduce pressure on the forest. These include technical training, support for entrepreneurship, and the construction of drainage channels in vulnerable areas.
🛰️ Community monitoring: eyes that protect the forest
A key component of the project is participatory monitoring, which includes forest patrol routes, training for local monitors, and equipment provision. Community members themselves walk the territory to verify forest health, identify threats, and share essential information.
🤝 A model that inspires
The REDD+ Pedeguita and Mancilla Project is a clear example of how organized communities can lead global-impact processes from the local level. Every action reflects a deep commitment to life, dignity, and territory.
At The Community Forests, we believe that protecting forests also means protecting the voices that inhabit them. And in Pedeguita and Mancilla, those voices are strong, organized, and determined to keep walking toward a just and sustainable future.
🔗 Learn more: www.thecommunityforests.com
📷 Cover Photo: @nikolasjacob
🎥 Recommended Video: Pedeguita y Mancilla