Colombia’s rural areas are home to diverse ecosystems and communities that rely on natural resources for their livelihoods. However, these regions face growing environmental and economic pressures. Deforestation, land degradation, and biodiversity loss are accelerating due to unsustainable land use and limited enforcement of conservation policies. At the same time, small-scale farmers and rural businesses struggle with weak market access, financial barriers, and regulatory gaps, making it difficult to compete and adopt sustainable practices. These challenges are especially severe in the Amazon and Pacific regions, where poverty levels are high, and opportunities for economic diversification remain limited. 

Additionally, Colombia has committed to a long-term Green Growth Policy (GGP) and a National Bioeconomy Strategy to drive sustainable economic development while reducing environmental impacts. However, successfully implementing them requires investment, technical support, and strong collaboration among key stakeholders.  

The project seeks to address these issues by fostering a bioeconomy—a model that uses biological resources sustainably to create innovative products and services. By investing in research, local initiatives, and new business models, Bio Rural will support economic growth while protecting ecosystems. 

The project aims to drive the sustainable transformation of Colombia’s rural sector by developing an inclusive, low-carbon bioeconomy that promotes biodiversity conservation, sustainable ecosystem use, and the economic empowerment of vulnerable communities.  

Its objectives include bridging regulatory and financial gaps, enhancing agricultural competitiveness, and fostering gender equality and social inclusion. By mobilizing financing, creating green jobs, supporting SMEs and research centers, and implementing new production models, the project will enable a just rural transition that mitigates climate change impacts and reduces multidimensional poverty—particularly in the Amazon and Pacific regions—while aligning with key national policies. 

During the first phase, the project successfully brought together government agencies, private sector partners, and technical experts to make significant progress in advancing Colombia’s bioeconomy.  By enhancing policy frameworks, supporting innovation, and equipping the workforce with key skills, this initiative has strengthened Colombia’s ability to drive sustainable economic growth while protecting its natural resources. 

Key achievements include the acceleration of 26 bioproducts through the MAPBIO initiative, benefiting women-led businesses and indigenous communities in regions like Caquetá, Nariño, Valle del Cauca, and Putumayo. The project also developed six technical training programs with SENA, equipping professionals with essential skills in areas such as agroecological systems, biodiversity management, and energy efficiency.  

“This project is laying the foundation for a more sustainable and inclusive rural economy in Colombia. By improving policies, strengthening skills, and increasing investment in nature-based solutions, we are helping rural communities access better opportunities while protecting the country’s rich biodiversity. Our goal is to bridge financial and technical gaps, ensuring that sustainable businesses can thrive, create jobs, and drive long-term economic growth that benefits both people and the environment.”. 

Alejandra Ruiz, Sustainable Landscapes Officer, GGGI

To address specific market challenges, the project launched three Bioeconomy Open Innovation Challenges focused on biofertilizers, connecting businesses with solutions to improve agricultural sustainability. Another challenge targeted biopesticides for banana and plantain crops, in partnership with INNpulsa.  

Additionally, a sustainability strategy for MAPBIO was developed, ensuring long-term impact, and was endorsed by Minciencias with a $50,000 agreement to support two high-value bioproducts. Knowledge-sharing efforts included two sets of case studies compiling lessons learned from MAPBIO and the Open Innovation Challenges, contributing to the ongoing development of Colombia’s bioeconomy. 

At the policy level, the project contributed technical recommendations adopted in the National Development Plan 2022-2026, shaping Colombia’s approach to green jobs, circular economy, and bioeconomy. It also supported the Bioeconomy Taskforce, strengthening collaboration among key ministries to scale up the National Bioeconomy Strategy.