Abstract

“We want to hold a summit for the people (…) and want the voices of those who care for biodiversity (…) to be heard by governments” (CaracolRadio2024). With this quote, Colombia’s then-Minister of Environment announced the theme “Peace with Nature” (*Paz con la Naturaleza*) for the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in October 2024. It highlights a critical gap in research and policy: the lack of connection between (inter)national actors, researchers, or decision-makers on the one hand, and the strategies employed by local communities to protect nature on the other.

The twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change have exposed the extreme vulnerability of populations in fragile, conflict-affected countries of the Global South, particularly in rural regions. These areas are often characterized by a lack of basic infrastructure, widespread state neglect regarding service provision and public order (security), and the presence of non-state armed groups. While transformative and inclusive approaches are now central demands in global environmental conservation (see, for example, IPBES 2024), their implementation often fails due to the lack of engagement with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs). Scientists and practitioners are only just beginning to understand the strategies communities use to implement global initiatives at the local level.

Colombia serves as a prime example: the 2016 peace agreement opened up new opportunities for environmental conservation and research in regions previously affected by armed conflict. At the same time, land-use dynamics shifted following the end of the conflict; deforestation and illegal mining increased, presenting new challenges for both nature conservation and local communities. The Colombian Constitution incorporates a wide range of rights, obligations, and institutions that enable individuals, communities, and social organizations to participate in the protection and defense of environmental rights. However, while rights and obligations are clearly defined, environmental activists often face threats from non-state armed groups and encounter limited access to state institutions. Multidisciplinary research combining perspectives from the natural sciences (e.g., geosciences, biology, and ecology) and the social sciences (e.g., political science and anthropology) remains rare. Yet, at the local level, social systems and ecosystems form a relationship characterized by interdependence, complexity, and interconnectedness. Understanding this relationship is crucial for effective environmental and climate protection. Against this backdrop, the pilot project addresses the following research questions:

How can we better understand the dynamics of community-led nature conservation in conflict-affected societies through interdisciplinary approaches?

How can data and knowledge be linked with the needs and perspectives of local communities?

The project pursues three main objectives: First, primary data will be collected using a mixed-methods approach. Second, through participatory action research, the project will provide communities in Colombia with a space to shape transformative environmental policy at the local level. Third, this knowledge will be disseminated further by feeding it into national and global policy-making processes.

The findings will contribute to a better understanding of community-based conservation practices in conflict contexts and demonstrate how local knowledge can be systematically integrated into national and international environmental policy. At the same time, the project lays the groundwork for interdisciplinary research at the intersection of environmental science, peace studies, and data science, while providing practical insights for decision-makers and local stakeholders—including those in Germany.