Clara Hidrón Third Sector Innovation: “Sustainability and Social Impact” August , 2007 OUR EXPERIENCE WITH ORO VERDE IN COLOMBIA

1 of 25 most biodiverse areas in the world. Great cultural diversity. Abundant natural resources Historic exploitation of precious metals. The Biogeographic Chocó

In % of its population suffers from Unsatisfied Basic Needs Child mortality triples the national average 13 million people displaced in 2004 Deforestation Water contamination by toxic chemicals Devastation of this strategic ecosystem Revision of the Constitution in 1991 Law 70 of 1993

What is precious?

PRECIOUS IS A QUALITY THAT IS NURTURED. AND WHILE IT MAY BE MORE EFFICIENT TO HARVEST OTHER GOLDS IN MINES USING CYANIDE AND MACHINERY, IN CHOCÓ COLOMBIA, GOLD IS NURTURED IN SOME OF THE RICHEST SOIL, NEAR THE PUREST STREAMS, IN ONE OF THE LUSHEST ECOSYSTEMS ON THE PLANET. AN ECOSYSTEM THAT THE PEOPLE OF CHOCO CALL THEIR HOME. IT’S WHERE WE LIVE. THIS ISN’T A MINE.

Oro Verde Program 10 certification criteria Raw, pure, alloyed metal and jewellery Purchase and Transportation Chocó-Medellín Management Finances Regulation Community monitoring system IIAP: independent certifying body COV Ronald de Hommel Diversification of production activities

The Challenges… Market development for a new product. Limited financial resources. Limited production of certified metals. Informality of the sector and abandonment in the region (education and employment). Weak managerial and entrepreneurial capacities. Ronald de Hommel Geographic isolation, climatic instability and precarious transportation conditions (expensive field work). Governance issues. Effective empowerment.

More than 1300 beneficiaries protect 7.900Ha of tropical rainforest. Accomplishments Community strengthening, appropriation of the territory, knowledge transfer and increased income for mining communities. ARM is created with other organizations. Exchanges with communities in other countries. Official declaration of mining areas of the Community Councils (Tadó Ha and Condoto Ha). World’s first certification system for metals. Market development.

Lessons 1.Understand local dynamics and guarantee community participation. 2.Set up a team with a multidisciplinary vision, this will allow knowledge exchange and the appropriation of the initiative by its beneficiaries. 3.Ensure continuous monitoring and evaluation. 4.Optimize investments and create synergies through strategic alliances. 5.Develop a strategy for the sustainability of the initiative.

THE MOST LOVED GOLD ON THE PLANET