CAQUETÁ, COLOMBIA — The World Bamboo Organization (WBO) is pleased to highlight the completion of a community-based initiative in Colombia’s Amazon region demonstrating how sustainable bamboo management can contribute to wildfire prevention, landscape management and stronger rural communities.

The project, “Community-Based Management of Guadua/Bamboo for the Prevention and Mitigation of Wildfires in Caquetá, Colombia,” was implemented by the Colombian Bamboo Society (Sociedad Colombiana del Bambú), with support from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and funding from the European Union.

Its results were shared with WBO by Ximena Londoño, WBO Ambassador and member of the Colombian Bamboo Society. The initiative concluded on 31 August 2026 after 11 months of implementation in six rural communities: four in Florencia and two in San José del Fragua.

Building community capacity for wildfire prevention

Caquetá faces significant pressures associated with deforestation, agricultural expansion, changing land-use practices and climate change. Responding to these conditions, the project established and equipped six community forest firefighting brigades, one in each participating rural community. According to the project summary, 48 community firefighters were trained and organized by the Florencia Fire Department.

The initiative also supported the Departmental Committee for Guadua/Bamboo and its Agroindustry of Caquetá in developing an action plan to improve coordination, responsibilities and protocols for wildfire mitigation.

Integrating bamboo into sustainable landscape management

A central component was the establishment of 15 pilot firebreak plots integrating guadua/bamboo-based agroforestry systems. Selected through community consultations and land-use mapping, the plots were designed to explore the environmental and economic feasibility of bamboo and companion plant species in managed firebreak systems.

Five workshops on sustainable bamboo management and good agroforestry practices provided practical training in plot establishment, species selection, planting, maintenance, soil management and fire prevention. Environmental monitoring across the plots included flora and insect surveys and wildfire-vulnerability assessments, generating initial ecological baseline information to inform future restoration and land-management decisions.

Empowering women and young people through bamboo

The project placed particular emphasis on strengthening the participation and leadership of rural women and young people. Through community activities and practical training, participants explored the sustainable use of guadua/bamboo, including construction with round bamboo, the use of bamboo sheaths and the preparation of bamboo shoots as food.

Three additional workshops introduced bamboo’s multiple applications and potential livelihood opportunities. These activities encouraged more inclusive participation in community organization, sustainable resource management and local decision-making.

Lessons for community-led climate resilience

The experience in Caquetá underscores the importance of connecting local knowledge, practical capacity development, ecological monitoring and sustainable natural-resource management. WBO recognizes the contribution of its Ambassador Ximena Londoño and the Colombian Bamboo Society in advancing community-centered approaches to bamboo development.

The initiative provides a relevant example of how international development cooperation can support locally led approaches to wildfire risk management and sustainable rural livelihoods. Continued monitoring will be important to assess the long-term performance of the pilot firebreak systems.

Funding and institutional acknowledgment

Funded by the European Union. Financiado por la Unión Europea.

Implemented by the Colombian Bamboo Society, with support from AICS and funding from the European Union. The institutional visibility assets supplied for this communication feature Amazonía+, the European Union, AICS, Expertise France and FIAP.