Guía educativa para vigías y dinamizadores ambientales en el eco barrio la esmeralda

Abstract

In the current context of environmental crisis and rapid urbanization, cities face significant challenges in achieving sustainable development with citizen participation. Environmental education, both formal and non-formal, is presented as a key tool for transforming the environment and building collective awareness about environmental stewardship. Eco-neighborhoods are emerging as a territorial and community strategy that promotes sustainable practices, strengthens the social fabric, and fosters environmental commitment. In Bogotá, the La Esmeralda Eco-neighborhood, located in the Teusaquillo district, has become a benchmark for its community initiatives, such as urban agriculture, responsible water use, and neighborhood leadership. The collective and autonomous work of its residents has achieved widespread district and international recognition, including the “Eco Quartier” certification awarded by France for complying with best environmental practices aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. The La Esmeralda Eco-neighborhood has been recognized for its good environmental practices; however, although documents exist regarding its community processes, there is still no structured documentation that systematizes the knowledge and direct experiences of its local stakeholders with the environment. Therefore, this work seeks to develop a non-formal environmental education guide for local environmental facilitators and stewards, using the La Esmeralda Eco-neighborhood as a case study. This guide will make local knowledge visible and facilitate its adaptation in other neighborhoods of Bogotá and other cities, promoting the participation of young people, who are key agents in the transformation of their territories, and fostering new forms of environmental leadership with a community focus and social impact.