Long Term Protection of the Eastern Colombian Amazon Through the Formalisation of Indigenous Territorial Entities

In May 2025, a landmark Presidential Decree in Colombia established the necessary regulations for the operation of Indigenous Territorial Entities (ETIs), marking a milestone in the process of recognizing their governments as public authorities. This is a pioneering process and opportunity in the Amazon Basin for Indigenous peoples to manage public budgets, coordinate with the Central Government and other state authorities, and safeguard their territories and cultures. Since 2019, Gaia has supported the formalisation and strengthening of ETIs across three counties in the Eastern Colombian Amazon, building on 30 years of collaboration with Indigenous Councils. The programme protects 8.3 million hectares of high-integrity rainforest inhabited by nearly 12,000 people by reinforcing Indigenous governance and autonomy. By 2027, the initiative aims to formalise 10 Indigenous Territories as ETIs.

The project will strengthen ETIs through robust political, administrative, and fiscal systems, while enhancing Indigenous-led planning and environmental governance. JFF will support the development of investment plans for all 10 ETIs to guide public funding towards community priorities, including land management, health, education, and sustainable livelihoods. It will also support the expansion of SIGETI, an Indigenous-led monitoring system, and improve its interoperability with public information systems to strengthen evidence-based territorial governance and long-term forest protection.