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From 2012 to 2025, the Tchendukua association, with the support of the French Development Agency (AFD), ran the ‘Mendihuaca: restitution of ancestral lands, protection of biodiversity and South– North”, in partnership with indigenous peoples of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Colombia.

Following the completion of the third and final phase of this programme, and as the organisation finds itself at a pivotal moment in its history, Tchendukua wished to take a step back and analyse in depth the effects and impacts of its work. This study does not focus solely on the programme’s results, but forms part of a broader reflection on nearly 30 years of land restitution and support for the indigenous communities of the Sierra Nevada.

Carried out with the support of F3E, this evaluation aimed in particular to:

• Analyse the changes, effects and impacts, particularly on
  • the recovery of ancestral lands by Indigenous peoples,
  • the regeneration of ecosystems and the improvement of living conditions for families settled on the restituted lands,
  • the exchange of knowledge between the Global South and the Global North;
• Assess the relevance of the strategies and approaches implemented;

• Contribute to discussions on future projects carried out with the Indigenous peoples of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and with all partners
• Contribute to the (re)definition of the association’s strategy, in collaboration with its partners, taking into account the current context of international solidarity.

The study was carried out with the support of F3E, by an evaluation team comprising Klara Hellebrandova, Yeni Riaño Suárez and Arnaud Laaban (Eval4Change).

The presentation of this study will provide an opportunity to share key lessons on:

• Processes for evaluating the effects and impacts of an initiative;

• Evaluation in an indigenous context: how to conduct a culturally responsible evaluation process;

• Lessons learnt regarding
  • supporting the return of ancestral lands to Indigenous communities,
  • the protection of biodiversity on lands returned to Indigenous communities,
  • the exchange of knowledge between the South and the North.

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Event date: Wednesday 4 February 2026

Time: 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm

Event type: Online, via Zoom

Registration link: Click here