Medellin Will Pay Incentives to Farmers Who Protect Forests and Biodiversity

Medellín has become the first city in Colombia to implement a program that pays farmers and landowners for protecting forests, ecosystems, soils, and biodiversity. The city launched a Payment for Environmental Services (PES) scheme in August 2026, targeting properties in five rural districts: San Sebastian de Palmitas, San Cristobal, Altavista, San Antonio de Prado, and Santa Elena.

Under the initiative, participants can receive financial or in-kind incentives for taking on specific conservation commitments, such as forest protection, wildlife and plant habitat preservation, soil conservation, and maintenance of ecological corridors. The program aims to recognize the often-overlooked ecological functions of rural areas, turning nature conservation into an income-generating activity for local communities.

The application period runs from August 18 to September 14, 2026, and is free of charge. The program builds upon Medellín's previous use of PES mechanisms to protect water sources, which already safeguarded more than 1,115 hectares across 88 rural properties. This new phase focuses on a broader range of conservation efforts, including the preservation of ecological corridors that connect different natural areas.

By directly involving rural residents in conservation efforts, the program seeks to generate additional income for participating farmers and landowners while preserving ecosystems that face pressure from land transformation. The initiative seeks to strike a balance between environmental protection and community well-being, recognizing the economic value of conservation as an activity that benefits the broader population.