Project presented by WECF France

Project implemented in Colombia :
Supporting women from disadvantaged neighborhoods in Bogota in their professionalization through waste recycling activities

In Colombia, waste management is a major issue in the fight against greenhouse gas emissions. In the low-income neighborhood of Cuba in Bogota, waste collection and sorting is primarily carried out by women waste pickers, organized in associations. However, they work under precarious conditions, without social protection, and often face discrimination. Since 2016, these women can be officially recognized as environmental agents and gain access to improved working conditions, but the formalization process remains complex and difficult to navigate.

To address this, WECF France supports the NGO Enda Colombia in assisting these associations toward official recognition and better working conditions. The project includes technical and social training for the women along the entire recycling chain, the provision of adapted equipment, and ongoing support from Enda Colombia facilitators. The women are also trained in association management, social protection systems, and gender equality. Enda Colombia helps them map their collection routes and take part in negotiations with local authorities and private companies, while also conducting awareness campaigns among Bogota residents.

Use of the award:
The prize will be used to strengthen the recognition of these women as environmental agents and to ensure the long-term integration of the project’s actions into public policies. It will also help reinforce five recycling associations and support advocacy efforts by the waste pickers to ensure their rights are better recognized, with the ultimate goal of improving their working and living conditions.

Website Link: https://wecf-france.org/