Colombia recognizes social and environmental leaders through awards and community projects

In Colombia, various social and environmental initiatives have received significant recognition. The 2026 National Human Rights Award, organized by Diakonia and Act Iglesia Sueca, honored four social struggles in Santander, Cauca, Chocó, and Valle del Cauca. The ceremony, held at Bogotá’s Teatro Colón, recognized leaders and collectives dedicated to peace and justice for victims of conflict. Among the winners, Yuly Andrea Velásquez Briceño, president of the Federation of Artisanal Fishermen of Santander, was named ‘Defender of the Year’ for her environmental protection work in the Magdalena region.

Simultaneously, the Corporación Autónoma Regional del Alto Magdalena (CAM) announced that 85 proposals from 26 municipalities in Huila were received for the 2026 Citizen Environmental Education Projects call. These proposals, submitted by community action boards, NGOs, and ethnic communities, aim to strengthen conservation and sustainability. The selected initiatives will be announced on October 1st following an evaluation process.