Criterios e indicadores para la evaluación de la efectividad de proyectos indígenas en el marco de un programa REDD+ en la Amazonía colombiana

Abstract

The REDD+ mechanism was designed to curb climate change and recognize forest conservation. Since its implementation, evaluation frameworks have focused on carbon metrics related to forests, while rendering the social processes of the local communities implementing these initiatives invisible. The objective of this study was to develop a set of criteria and indicators—relevant from an intercultural perspective—to strengthen the evaluation of REDD+ initiatives within Indigenous territories in the Colombian Amazon. A qualitative methodology was employed, integrating a documentary analysis of international and national frameworks with participatory research involving Indigenous leaders, which allowed for a comparison between existing technical structures and local perspectives. The results reveal a divergence in approaches: while international frameworks are robust, they require contextual adaptation; the Indigenous perspective, by contrast, prioritizes self-governance, cultural legitimacy, and territorial harmony over carbon metrics. In response, an evaluation framework was designed, consisting of 30 criteria and 60 indicators. This framework aligns the Cancun safeguards with Indigenous priorities—such as autonomy and protocols for engagement—within a hierarchical structure that integrates technical standards with cultural relevance. The study concludes that this evaluation framework represents a methodological and political advancement. Its application enables an assessment better suited to the Amazonian context, strengthening both Indigenous governance and the sustainability of REDD+ by grounding its effectiveness not merely in emissions reduction, but also in the recognition of territorial autonomy, legal security, and cultural appropriation.