Synopsis of Current Investments

International donors in Colombia and Ecuador have provided a large portion of the resources directed toward conservation of the Chocó. This support has stimulated a positive response from the national governments in the form of counterpart funding and complementary actions. Certainly, without the financial and technical support of international organizations, the Governments of Colombia and Ecuador would not be in a position to address the broad range of urgent social development problems and environmental threats in the Chocó-Manabí Corridor.

In Colombia, there are more than 50 conservation and resource management projects financed by donors, government, NGOs and civil society. Some of these projects have a regional scope and some are locally oriented, emphasizing participatory management of river basins, mangroves, parks, ecotourism, indigenous communities, coastal wetlands, and forests. In Ecuador, the environment has also attracted significant funding from many donors, particularly from the multilaterals and bilaterals, as well as from official, private, and NGO sources. These initiatives are focusing on coastal zone management, protected areas, sustainable development, institutional strengthening, carbon offsets, community development, and forest management.

Multilateral and bilateral donors have funded a diverse range of conservation projects in the Chocó biogeographic region. Tables 3 and 4 present a selection of major multilateral and bilateral projects in the Chocó region of Colombia and Ecuador.

Table 3: Multilateral and Bilateral Donors in the Chocó Biogeographic Region, Colombia

Type of Donor	Donor	Implementing Agency	Project	Investment
Multilateral	GEF/UNDP/COSUDE	UNDP	Biopacífico Project	$9M
	IDB		Plan Pacífico	$71.4M IDB $50M
	UNESCO (Program on Man and the Biosphere, MAB)	Fundación INGUEDE	Permanent Plots for Biodiversity Monitoring
	World Bank	MMA	New Pacific Corridor Project (Cauca-Nariño) - Phase I: Shuame-Minchique-Pinchí; Phase II: Farallones de Calí, Monchoque-Alto Naya-Guapi-Iscuandé
	World Bank / Government of the Netherlands	MMA	Natural Resources Management Program: strengthening the Pacific Regional Corporations in their environmental management functions plus indigenous and Afro-Colombian organizations (e.g., ACIA, OREWA, others).; production of ecological zoning maps and GIS databases	$65.3M
	GEF	Fundacion Natura	Proyecto Utria Regional
Bilateral	Canada (CIDA) / ECOFONDO	Centro de Estudios Regionales del Pacífico	Support to the Process of Territorial and Environmental Control of Communities in Alto San Juan River	C$11.3M CIDA total
		Organización Indígena Embera-Waunana (OREWA)	Recovery and Conservation of the Productive Agricultural Component: supports indigenous knowledge and capacity-building for environmental management by community leaders	$16.5M ECOFONDO over 9 years
		Reservas Naturales de la Sociedad Civil Regional del Valle del Cauca	Construction of a Regional Conservation and Rehabilitation Model for Alternative Production in Protected Areas
		Fundación Pilar Verde	Management of the River Dagua Basin
		Consejo Comunitario Unión del Patía Viejo	Proposal to develop sustainable production systems among Afro-Colombian communities in Viejo Patía
		Consejo Comunitario Río Patía Grande	Sustainable Rural Development in Bajo Patía, Pacific Coast, Dept. Nariño
	Netherland (NAR)	Fundación INGUEDE	Production and Commercialization of Non-Wood Products in the Tropical Rain Forest
	Netherlands / IUCN	Fundación INGUEDE	Conservation of Important Plant Species as Food Sources for Fauna in the Chocó-Darién
	Netherlands	Ecofondo	Fundo Holanda - Ecofondo for the Choco
	Netherlands	MMA/UAESPNN	Strengthening management of national parks in the Pacific (just approved and to start in January 2002)
	DFID/WWF-UK	WWF Colombia, ASDES, Red de Reservas Privadas	Strengthening the role of civil society in the Andes and Choco; strengthening environmental education; conservation on private lands
	SIDA/WWF-Sweden and WWF-NL	WWF Colombia and partner organizations	Building local conservation processes toward an ecoregional vision in the Choco of Colombia and Ecuador

Table 4: Multilateral and Bilateral Donors in the Chocó Biogeographic Region, Ecuador

Type of Donor	Donor	Implementing Agency	Project	Investment
Multilateral	CAF/ Government of Ecuador/ UNDP		Plan Ambiental Ecuatoriano Biogeográfico del Chocó: Environmental and social assessment of road network; capacity-building on forestry and sustainable agriculture	$42.7M
	European Union	CISP	Fisheries Technical Cooperation: supports enterprises, regulates small-scale fisheries, and evaluates fish resources and capture; Manejo Costero Ecosustentable y Fortalecimiento de la Zona Especial Sur de Manabí	€1.2M
	IDB		Coastal Resources Management Program: sustainable use of coastal resources (close to termination; new phase in preparation to consolidate initiatives underway along the Pacific coast)	$16.5M IDB $14.9M
	UNDP / UNEP / World Bank		Small Grants: sustainable natural resources management and conservation, sustainable shrimp larvae culture, diving and fishing, tourism, training, ecotourism, and microcredit	$3.3M
		MAE	Sustainable Development of Rainforest, Onzole River
		CIDESA UNAGRO	Management of Nonrenewable Resources in Machalilla National Park and Influence Zone
		Corporación Amingay	Production of Chusquiales Project
		CISP, PMRC,Comité Zonal de Puerto López,GEF and Fundación Maquipucuna	Sustainable Management of the Special Coastal Zone in López Port	$3.2M GEF $1.0M Fndn. $2.2M
	World Bank (GEF Projects)	MAE	Biodiversity Protection: restructuring/strengthening MAE & National Protected Areas System and biological corridors system	$7.2M
		EcoCiencia	Wetlands conservation	$750,000
		Min. Agriculture National Census Institute	Agricultural Census and Information System: improved database availability and use in the agricultural and livestock sector
		CODENPE	Improving quality of life in indigenous and Afro-American populations	$50M
		Fundación Maquipucuna	Andean Chocó Corridor Project: biodiversity of the Chocó, ensuring the functional connectivity of ecosystems	$3.4M
		MAE	Biodiversity Conservation Project: Awá territory
Bilateral	Canada (Canada-Ecuador Development Fund)		Torquilla Hay among Chongón-Colonche Communities Ecodevelopment in the Mache Chindul Mountain Range Ecodevelopment of Chanchis, Camandé River Social Conditions, eight Afro-American Communities, Santiago River	$40M nationwide
	Germany (GTZ)		Numerous projects including: Forestry and Resource Management; Community Forestry Management, Esmeraldas Province	$4.6M
	Germany (KfW)	Fundación Natura	Reforestation and Conservation, Chongón Colonche
	Netherlands	IUCN CIDESA EcoCiencia	Community Management and Sustainable Development of Mangrove Environments, Esmeraldas Sustainable Management, Cayapas-Mataje Mangroves National Strategic Policy on Biodiversity
	SIDA/WWF-Sweden & WWF-NL	WWF Colombia, Fundacion Altropico & Awa Federation	Building local conservation processes toward an ecoregional vision in the Chocó of Colombia and Ecuador
	Switzerland	Fundación Natura	Various initiatives in Manabí including livestock management in the Santa Elena Peninsula
	Spain (AECI)		Integrated Development of the Cayapas River Basin
	United States (USAID)	CARE Alianza Jatun Sacha-CDC EcoCiencia MAE	SUBIR Project: integrated conservation and development, three protected areas and their buffer zones: institutional development, policy, and legislation; improved land use; marketing; and biodiversity monitoring. Potential model of integrated resource management, community participation, and decentralized local project administration with national and international partners.	$15M over 10 years
	USAID	WWF Colombia, Fundacion Altropico & Awa Federation	The Ecuadorian Awa Territory: Protecting Biodiversity Habitats

Table 5: GEF Projects in the Chocó Biogeographic Region, Ecuador

Donor	Implementing Agency	Project	Investment
GEF Projects in Execution
GEF/World Bank	MAE	Biodiversity Protection: restructuring/strengthening MAE & National Protected Areas System and biological corridors for three areas (Machalilla, Cotacachi Cayapas, and Cuyabeno), and establishment of fiduciary fund to cover recurrent costs	$8.8M
	EcoCiencia	Wetlands conservation, inventory and classification of Ecuador's wetlands	$.7M
	Escuela Politecnica del Litoral (ESPOL)	Promote the adoption of traditional knowledge to manage and conserve coastal biodiversity	$.7M
	Fundación Maquipucuna	Andean Chocó Corridor Project: protection of biodiversity in the Chocó to ensure functional ecosystem connections	$1.0M
GEF/UNDP	TNC	Identification of priority management areas five ecoregions of global importance in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay, Peru	$.7M
GEF Projects in Preparation and/or Negotiation
GEF/UNDP	Fundación Natura	Conservation and sustainable use of resources in the Mache Chindul Reserve	$.7M
GEF/UNDP	Network of Private Forests	Consolidate management of Ecuador's private forests	$.8M
GEF/UNDP	South Pacific Permanent Commission	Strengthening implementation of the Protocol for the Conservation and Management of South-eastern Pacific Marine and Coastal Protected Areas	$.8M
GEF/UNDP	Ecociencia	Biodiversity indicators for national-level decision-making	$.8M
GEF/UNDP	TVE London	Increase environmental awareness in the Latin American and the Caribbean region	$1.0M
GEF/UNDP	MAE	Biodiversity protection in the Ecuadorian Chocó	$1.0M
GEF/IUCN	IUCN	Ecosystem Approach Project in support of an ecosystem perspective under the CBD	$.9M
GEF/OAS	OAS	Building the Inter-American Biodiversity Information Network to establish a standardized set of indicators and networks for conservation decision-making	$6.0M
GEF/BAHC	BAHC	Vulnerability assessment and integrated management of regional water resources	NA

Government Agencies

Colombia

The Government of Colombia funds some 48% of environmental investments in the country, often in partnership with national and international donors and NGOs, through a number of channels, including the National Resources and National Environmental Fund; Ministry of the Environment (MMA); Special Administrative Unit of the National Parks System (UAESPNN); Regional Autonomous Corporations of Cauca, Nariño, Risaralda, and Valle del Cauca; municipalities; Environmental Research Institute of the Pacific; and universities (Cauca, Chocó Technological, Nariño, Pereira Technological, and Valle).

At a national level, UAESPNN plays an important role in conservation as an agency of the MMA. Its mandate is to manage all areas protected under the national parks system (designated natural reserves, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, flora sanctuaries, and unique natural areas). UAESPNN is responsible for coordinating environmental authorities and community organizations to develop strategies and programs that contribute to the sustainable management of resources in protected areas.

At a regional level, the regional autonomous corporations play a crucial role. They enforce laws and regulations and issue permits, concessions, authorizations, and environmental licenses. The Valle del Cauca Regional Autonomous Corporation and CI - Colombia signed a five-year agreement in March 2001 to implement a joint set of conservation actions. One promising innovative financing options supports coffee farmers who integrate conservation of protected areas and habitat along the slopes of the eastern cordillera in the departments of Chocó, Risaralda, Valle del Cauca, Cauca and Nariño from Tatamá National Park to the border with Ecuador.

At a local level, the mayors of municipalities represent the political and administrative authority to make environmental decisions affecting their jurisdictions. They promote and implement environmental and resource management policies. In addition, at local and regional levels, the Environmental Research Institute of the Pacific is an important actor in conservation in the Chocó. Linked to the MMA, the institute carries out scientific research and disseminates data on biological, social, and ecological conditions on the Pacific coast.

Table 6: Colombian Government Projects in the Chocó Biogeographic Region

AGENCY	PROJECT
CODECHOCÓ	Implementation of Participatory Management Plans for Basins Supplying Municipal Wastewater Systems in the Department of Chocó: cartographic location and quantification of areas, establishment of tree nurseries, technical assistance and training
CODECHOCÓ	Control and Monitoring of Environmental and Renewable Natural Resources in the Department of Chocó: creating an institutional management framework to administer environmental and natural resources in Chocó
Municipalities of Nuquí and Bahía	Support to the Development of Ecotourism in Northern Communities of the Pacific Coast
Municipality of Barbacoas	Development of a "Plan de Vida" or Life Plan for the Awá Community
UAESPNN	Utría National Park: investment in management research in and around the bay Gorgona National Park: investment in the area Sanquianga National Park: investment in the area Farallones de Calí National Park: investment in the area Munchique National Park: investment in the area Tatamá National Park: investment in the area Utría, Tatamá, Farallones de Calí, Munchique, Gorgona and Sanquianga National Parks Program Characterization and Management of Páramos in the Department of Cauca (Páramos of Argelia and Pinchí)
Valle del Cauca Autonomous Corporation (CVC)	Coastal Zone Formulation and Execution of Integrated Management Plan; agreement between CVC and CI - Colombia to design and implement a conservation corridor Chocó-Andino

Ecuador

The Government of Ecuador funds environmental investment in the country through various organizations and institutions, including the MAE, Coastal Zone Management Program, Development Unit of the Northern Border Initiative (UDENOR), and municipalities and provincial councils.

At the national level, the MAE is responsible for implementing environmental policies. In the last year, the MAE has gone through a major decentralization process involving the establishment of regional offices, which are organized by provinces, to play a key role in implementing regional activities. The MAE also recently prepared the Environmental and Biodiversity Strategy and, with World Bank support, implemented the Biodiversity Protection Project with resources directed to protected areas in the Chocó-Manabí Corridor.

The Coastal Zone Management Program operates at the national level with IDB funding and is coordinated by the central government. Its mission is to conserve, restore, and protect coastal resources and promote sustainable resource use through participatory processes. The program operates in six "special management zones" working through local committees and seven conservation and enforcement units coordinated through the port authorities.

The five-year, $266 million UDENOR project focuses social development, environmental protection, and sanitary infrastructure. The province of Esmeraldas will receive $93 million, while the province of Carchi will receive $40 million. Of the investments slated for the Chocó-Manabí Corridor, an estimated $10 million will be committed to protecting habitat.

Five other programs are considered as priorities by the Government of Ecuador on the coast: Guayaquil Gulf Bioregion: Under the PATRA project in the Gilf of Guayaquil, the government promoted local control over environmental management in four sites in the provinces of Guayas, Los Rios, and El Oro.

Center for Marine Biodiversity: Also funded under the PATRA project, the Center supports a database on the Gulf of Guayaquil's marine biodiversity.

Institute of Urban and Regional Planning, Catholic University of Guayaquil: The institute supports the introduction of a local environmental management system in the province of Guayas and establishment of local environmental management units.

National Fisheries Institute: The Fisheries Institute conducts applied research and extension on all facets of shrimp aquaculture, including the education of fish farmers on the importance of sustainable shrimp farming and capture, assistance to government authorities on setting regulations and quotas for wild shrimp harvesting, and monitoring wild shrimp stocks.

Portoviejo Declaration on the Sustainable Development of Manabí: In response to concern about declining environmental quality and forest degradation, the 22 counties of Manabí signed the Portoviejo Declaration on the Sustainable Development of Manabí. Most counties are currently implementing small projects in solid waste management, assessment and mitigation of environmental impacts from industrial activities, information systems and environmental education, and forest management.

In addition, the Government of Ecuador has secured GEF funds to implement its Biodiversity Strategy. Currently, a $17.1 million portfolio in GEF project is either in implementation or in negotiation. Of this amount, $3.1 million will be invested in the Chocó-Manabí corridor. These GEF investments provide an excellent opportunity for the CEPF to integrate such initiatives as dry forest conservation and Mache Chindul Forest Reserve project into the scope of this profile.

At regional and local levels, municipalities and provincial councils, which were created under the country's new decentralization policies, are assuming responsibility for environmental and natural resources management, including waste management, public education, regulation of environmental quality, and preparation of environmental agendas. This decentralization process has the potential to provide local NGOs with an unprecedented opportunity to become more meaningfully engaged in the local management of their environment and natural resources.

NGOs and Civil Society

National and international NGOs are implementing many environmental projects in the Chocó. Their role as future partners in conservation is essential. Members of civil society who own private reserves in the corridor or who belong to private NGOs are important stakeholders who have contributed to the success of environmental initiatives (e.g., the Network of Private Forest Reserves).

Colombia

More than 10 years of development and conservation effort is reflected in many small- and medium-scale projects supported by national and international NGOs. Some of the most active national NGOs and civil society organizations include ECOFONDO; FES; Fundación Inguede; Fundación Natura; Fundación Proselva; Fundación Yubarta; Asociación Nacional de Usuarios Campesinos; Federación de Organizaciones de Comunidades Negras; OREWA; Organización Regional Embera; Federación Nacional de Cafeteros. International NGOs include Conservation International, the Nature Conservancy, and the World Wide Fund for Nature.

Table 7 presents a selection of major projects carried out by NGOs.

Table 7: NGO Projects in the Chocó Biogeographic Region, Colombia

Type of Organization	NGO	Project
National NGO	ECOFONDO / Iniciativa de las Americas	Implementation of Management Guidelines for Threatened Flora and Fauna Species in Wounaan Indigenous Community
	FES	Protective Forestry Management Area La Planada
	Fundación Natura	Various projects in Utría National Park
International NGO	WWF	Conservation and Sustainable Development in the Pacific Chocó Region Achieved by Strengthening Local Development Processes and Building Capacities to: promote the establishment, conservation and protection of indigenous and Afro-Descendant territories and public and private ecological reserves; promote sustainable management of forest resources and agricultural systems in specific project areas; and strengthen the capacities of organizations and institutions in the areas of administration, planning and management.
	CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL	Since 1987, CI has conducted projects in three principal areas: Investigation, conservation and sustainable use of species and ecosystems; Natural resources policies and law§ Environmental education Agreement between CVC and CI Colombia to design and implement a Conservation Corridor Choco-Andino

Ecuador
Some of the most active national NGOs and civil society organizations include Alianza Jatun Sacha-CDC; Centro de Investigaciones de la Biodiversidad Tropical; Coordinadora Ecuatoriana de Agroecología; Corporación de Bosques Privados del Ecuador; Corporación Río Manduriaco; EcoCiencia; Fundación Altropico; Awa Federation; Fundación Golondrinas; Fundación Maquipucuna; Fundación Natura; Fondo Ecuatoriano Populorum Progressio; and the Instituto de Ecología Aplicada de la Universidad San Francisco de Quito. International NGOs include the Comitato Internazionale per lo Sviluppo dei Populi, Conservation International, the Nature Conservancy, World Conservation Union, BirdLife International, and the World Wide Fund for Nature.

Table 8 presents a selection of projects carried out by NGOs in Ecuador.

Table 8: NGO Projects in the Chocó Biogeographic Region, Ecuador

Type of NGO	NGO	Project
National	Alianza Jatun Sacha-CDC	Buffer zone, Cotacachi Cayapas Reserve, Mache Chindul & Muisne Estuary: managing private reserves, ecotourism, community development, research, agroforestry, and environmental education
	CIBT	Imbabura & Esmeraldas: agriculture, permaculture, forest management, research, training, and consulting on private reserve management
	CEA	Partners: CEFODI, FEPP, AMINGAY, ULVT, FUNDARE, PROPUEBLO: training and technical assistance in agroecology, agroforestry, and participatory natural resource management
	CECIA	Key player in Mindo and Birdlife International's Ecuadorian partner
	CEDA	Environmental law NGO that focusses on private land conservation and promotes the incorporation of the private sector in Choco conservation.
	Corporación Bosques Privados del Ecuador	Contributes to management of private forestry reserves, conservation processes, reforestation, and capacity building.
	Corporación Latinoamericana de Desarrollo (CLD)	Policy development with communities in the Choco
	Corporación Río Manduriaco	Provinces of Imbabura and Esmeraldas: developing a management strategy for the Río Manduriaco Reserve
	FEPP	Provinces of Esmeraldas and Manabí: legalizing communal lands, agriculture, forestry production, and natural resource management
	Fundación EcoCiencia	SUBIR Project: biological inventories, applied research for resource management, and monitoring the impact of logging on biodiversity
	Fundación Golondrinas	Golondrinas Reserve, Mira River Basin: Andean forest conservation
	Fundación Maquipucuna	Chocó Andino Conservation Corridor, connecting Guayllabamba River, Cotacachi Cayapas Reserve and northern Esmeraldas
	Fundación Natura	Mache Chindul & Chongón Colonche mountain ranges, Machalilla National Park: Reforestation, community resources, environmental monitoring, integrated conservation, ecotourism, capacity-building, and environmental education
	ECOLAP	Manabí environmental education, research, monitoring, and GIS
	Fundación Natura	Various projects in Utría National Park
International	CISP	Artesanal and coastal fishery, sustainable alternatives to fishing, coastal zone manage-ment, and support for the southern Manabí Special Management Zone, among others
	IUCN	Ecotourism related to bird watching in the wetlands of la Segua
	CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL	The main activities of CI in the Chocó-Manabi Conservation Corridor have been: The Tagua Initiative, in collaboration with the local Ecuadorian NGO, CIDESA Support to the Comuna Rio Santiago-Cayapas by carrying out a population census and a social and environmental needs assessment, including an extension of the Tagua initiative
	TNC	With USAID and its own funds, supports NGOs, among others, Alianza Jatun Sacha-CDC, Fundación Natura, in developing conservation actions for Machalilla National Park, under the Parks in Peril Project. Sub-projects completed: Biodiversity Monitoring in Machalilla National Park Monitoring the Catch of Marine Turtles in Machalilla National Park Monitoring of Marine Turtles in the Beaches of Machalilla National Park
	WWF	Supporting conservation and sustainable development in the Pacific Chocó region by strengthening local development processes and building capacities to: promote the establishment, conservation, and protection of indigenous and Afro-descendant territories and public and private ecological reserves; promote sustainable management of forest resources and agricultural systems in specific project areas; strengthen institutional capacities in the areas of administration, planning and management; and promote a favorable policy and legal framework for conservation

 

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