Caso-ECOMANGLAR-Comunidad
Introduction:
Objective: The primary aim is to recount and share the impactful story of Ecomanglar, a pioneering community-oriented eco and ethno tourism association founded by the La Plata community located in the biodiverse Colombian Pacific region.
Purposes:
To create a comprehensive written memory documenting the organizational journey for the La Plata community.
To extract and gather invaluable lessons for future community-led initiatives and ventures.
Methodology: The main data sources include 14 in-depth semi-structured interviews and collaborative efforts conducted with students from Universidad de los Andes over the past five years, enriching the narrative with diverse perspectives.
Document Structure: The document is organized into sections detailing the general context, the historical evolution of Ecomanglar, the types of external support received, a thorough description of the organization and its operational model, and a candid analysis of the main challenges and tensions experienced by Ecomanglar.
Context:
Legal Framework: Law 70 of 1993 represents a significant legislative milestone recognizing the rights of rural black communities in the Colombian Pacific, fostering inclusion and sustainable development.
Historical Reference: 1996 marked a crucial year with the first delivery of collective land titles in Chocó, empowering local communities with land rights.
Statistics: Currently, there are 166 Community Councils accounting for over 5 million hectares benefiting more than 66,000 families across six key departments: Chocó, Cauca, Valle del Cauca, Nariño, Antioquia, and Risaralda.
Community Council Formation: The Community Council of La Plata was formed in 1998, encompassing an area of 36,397 hectares designated under collective property, enriching community identity and governance.
Biodiversity: The territory is characterized by its rich biodiversity, surrounded by mangroves, and includes various veredas (rural neighborhoods) such as: La Plata, La Sierpe, Mangaña, and Miramar, which contribute to its ecological significance and cultural heritage.
Demographics & Economy of Bahía Málaga:
Population Statistics: As of 2012, the community consists of 612 individuals, spread over approximately 160 families, showcasing a vibrant demographic profile.
Age Distribution: The age distribution reveals that about half of the population falls within the 0-18 years age bracket, indicative of a youthful community, accompanied by a balanced gender proportion.
Economic Landscape: The primary economic activities include subsistence agriculture, timber exploitation, and fishing, which sustain community livelihoods. The region has also been exposed to conventional tourism activities through nearby councils like Juanchaco and Ladrilleros, presenting opportunities for development.
Administrative Structure: The governing body includes a Legal Representative, a Council Board, and a General Assembly encompassing representatives from each vereda to ensure inclusive governance and representation in decision-making processes.
Organizational Model:
The Community Council aims to frame its development model within the ecological sustainability limits of the ecosystem while fostering a balance between development and conservation.
Resource Management: Established internal regulations focus on resource management, ensuring diverse conservation categories that protect the ecosystem while allowing for responsible use.
Environmental Advocacy: The community supported the creation of Uramba Bahía Málaga National Natural Park, successfully diverting industrial projects that posed threats to the environment and local livelihoods.
Sustainable Economic Alternatives: Both eco-tourism and ethno-tourism have been identified as sustainable economic alternatives, leading to the establishment of Ecomanglar in 2008, positioning the community as a destination for responsible tourism.
History of Ecomanglar:
Origins: Ecomanglar traces its origins back to 2001, during which youth groups emerged promoting eco-participation and environmental awareness.
Key Figures: Santiago Valencia emerged as a key figure responsible for the transition from youth groups to active participation within the Community Council Board, facilitating a leadership evolution.
Foundational Experiences: The community’s post-formation experiences in various environmental projects laid the groundwork necessary for developing tourism initiatives, demonstrating resilience and innovation.
Youth Initiatives and Partnerships:
The focus on conservation and ecological diagnostics led to the establishment of a dedicated tourism management organization.
Collaborative Engagement: Engagement with Fundación Cenipacífico has highlighted a specific focus on marine mammal conservation, fostering community involvement in environmental stewardship and education.
Establishment Phase (2008-2010):
The year 2008 marked a critical transition, evolving the initial concept into a solid reality; a significant partnership was forged with Carlos Hinestrosa, who played a crucial role in promoting ecotourism.
Ecomanglar was formally established as a non-profit community organization, with its first assembly convened in 2009, reflecting growing community support and involvement.
Community Engagement:
The assembly encouraged discussions around increased tourism opportunities, particularly following the declaration of the national park in 2010, which drew interest and attention to the region.
Santiago's commitment, alongside Carlos, inspired community members to become proactive participants, enhancing social capital within the community.
Stakeholder Relations:
Initial resistance from the Council arose due to concerns of overlapping functions with existing cooperatives; addressing this felt crucial for fostering collaboration.
Santiago has emphasized the need for Ecomanglar to enhance economic management within the community, ensuring a structured approach to development.
Leadership Development:
The organization has motivated a transformation in leadership styles among community youth, encouraging them to take an active role and initiative in development efforts.
External Support:
The historical context highlights the importance of community organization efforts, with Ecomanglar emerging as a youth-led initiative that diverges from past failures of dependency on external funding.
Partnerships with Academia:
Collaborative support from Universidad de los Andes through business planning and enhanced community engagement facilitated skill development and knowledge transfer vital for the organization’s progress.
Student Contributions to Growth:
Numerous small-scale projects contributed to growth, involving marketing efforts, infrastructural improvements, and communications strategies that fostered community capacity building.
Organizational Structure:
The organization features a clearly defined structure with a directorial board composed of various key positions, emphasizing role rotation to create an inclusive environment and broaden participation.
Operational Dynamics:
The organization faces challenges balancing service provision with necessary administrative tasks, prompting the establishment of a central kitchen to improve operational efficiency.
Leadership Model:
Leaders within Ecomanglar play essential roles in project planning and management, acting as bridges that connect community needs with external support channels effectively.
Decision Making Framework:
The decision-making process includes established semi-annual meetings aimed at nurturing community input, adopting a majority decision-making process to promote efficiency and inclusivity.
Service Portfolio Offering:
Ecomanglar focuses on offering eco-friendly tourism services that reflect the rich regional biodiversity, highlighting distinctive activities such as whale watching and immersive cultural experiences.
Cultural Experiences in Tourism:
Seasonal activities, such as "pianguar," serve dual purposes of providing cultural education and promoting resource conservation efforts, enhancing community knowledge and engagement.
Creating Environmental and Social Value:
Emphasis is placed on community engagement and job creation, striving to balance economic outputs with the necessity of environmental conservation for long-term sustainability.
Current Status of Ecomanglar:
A comprehensive description of evolving community dynamics, tourism statistics, and future collaboration projects aimed at enhancing sustainability in tourism practices is in progress.
Challenges to Sustainability:
The organization emphasizes the necessity of fostering external relations critical to its organizational sustainability while managing ongoing tensions within the community dynamics.
Internal Tensions:
The document provides insight into structural tensions within the Council and among community factions, assessing competition versus collaboration themes affecting cohesiveness.
Leadership and Development Issues:
Acknowledges the pressing need for leadership renewal and ongoing community engagement beyond the initial founders to ensure continuity and resilience of the organization.
Operational Challenges:
Highlights persistent transport and logistics issues that affect growth in tourism, providing an overview of ongoing operational hurdles faced by Ecomanglar.
Marketing and Demand Generation:
There exists a considerable need for strategic efforts focused on increasing awareness of Ecomanglar's unique tourism offerings to maintain and grow visitor arrival rates.
Final Considerations:
The document concludes by highlighting the immense potential that community-driven initiatives hold in shaping sustainable development through entrepreneurial efforts, encouraging broader participation and investment for future success.
Key Insights:
Stresses the critical importance of effective leadership, robust community engagement, and the transfer of entrepreneurial skills as fundamental components for rural development initiatives in the Colombian Pacific.
References:
Vélez, Maria Alejandra. (2014). "Ecomanglar: en la ruta del ecoturismo".
Lobo, Iván, Maria Alejandra Vélez, Sergio Puerto. (2015). "Leadership, entrepreneurship and collective action: A case study from the Colombian Pacific Region."