Colombia: land titles delivered to Indigenous communities in Caquetá

This milestone forms part of the LAND-at-scale (LaS) program, an initiative funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and managed by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). Active in 12 countries, this program advances sustainable and inclusive land governance by providing technical, legal, and socio-economic solutions that strengthen local development and peacebuilding efforts.

In Colombia, the LaS project is implemented by Kadaster, Tropenbos Colombia, and Conexión Colombia, and focuses on integrating land governance, economic empowerment, and biodiversity conservation in indigenous territories. The initiative has provided critical support to the Coreguaje and Makaguaje communities of La Teófila and Nueva Betania in the department of Caquetá.

Securing ancestral land rights

Thanks to the LaS project:

• La Teófila, home to 55 Coreguaje and Makaguaje families, received formal recognition of its expansion to approximately 22,690 hectares.
• Nueva Betania, inhabited by 13 Makaguaje families, was officially constituted as an Indigenous reserve covering 4,915 hectares.

These achievements were the result of participatory mapping exercises and strong collaboration with Colombia’s National Land Agency (ANT). The use of geospatial tools and fieldwork training provided by Kadaster enabled communities to correct boundary errors and submit formal expansion requests, which were later approved by ANT.

Boosting sustainable livelihoods

Beyond land tenure, the project also fostered economic inclusion. With the support of Conexión Colombia, local communities strengthened value chains related to milpes oil, handicrafts, and native tree nurseries. Through training, infrastructure improvements, and equipment delivery, families—especially women—expanded their income-generating activities, developing products such as soaps and sweets from native palm species. Women's leadership was actively supported and recognized throughout the initiative.

Fostering environmental and cultural stewardship

Tropenbos Colombia worked with the communities to develop sustainable use agreements for key natural resources like the milpes palm and supported ecological restoration through nurseries of native species. Parallel efforts were made to safeguard cultural identity through the revitalization of the endangered Makaguaje language and the preservation of ancestral knowledge.

A holistic model for peace and development

The closing event featured visits to community projects and a cultural fair, highlighting the integrated nature of the LAND-at-scale approach—one that combines land rights, environmental stewardship, and inclusive economic development as foundational pillars for peacebuilding in post-conflict regions.

This event also marked the official closure of the LAND-at-scale project with the Coreguaje and Makaguaje communities of La Teófila and Nueva Betania. It stands as a powerful example of collaborative action in support of Indigenous land rights and a sustainable future for Colombia and beyond.