The collaboration between Colombia and the Netherlands on water efficiency and biodiversity conservation has a solid foundation, marked by significant milestones and studies over recent years. In 2020, a pilot study assessed costs and benefits of enhanced irrigation efficiency within the Colombian palm oil sector. In 2021, a project focused on Aquifer Storage and Recovery was conducted to promote sustainable banana production in the Magdalena region. A year later a collaboration with the Water Governance Platform was established, to contribute to the participation of all relevant stakeholders in decision-making processes for water conservation.

Following this, in 2023, comprehensive data collection efforts were undertaken to understand the water/biodiversity/food nexus, in order to stimulate understanding of the intricate relationships between production activities, conservation efforts, and ecosystem services. Building on this momentum, a subsequent study pinpointed opportunities for international collaboration in projects designed to bolster collaboration with counterpart organisations while working on a sustainable coffee sector, focusing on the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta (CGSM) area.

The new Partners for Water project will support a larger effort funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), targeting environmental challenges in the CGSM area, specifically within the Fundación and Aracataca water basins. The project's objectives include stimulating water efficiency and biodiversity conservation efforts that directly benefit the Colombian coffee sector, positive ecological impacts on the CGSM-area and community resilience.

The selected contractor for the PfW project will be required to closely coordinate and collaborate with local stakeholders, emphasising the importance of understanding the regional context and building strong relationships with local partners. This collaboration aims to ensure the local appropriation of technologies, taking into account both the benefits and barriers. Through data collection and the application of surveys the ultimate goal is to identify and implement technological improvements or management alternatives that enhance water efficiency and decontamination processes within the Colombian coffee sector, tailored to meet the needs of the local conditions and communities, particularly the families working in coffee production.

The project aims to deliver actionable strategies for the adoption of water saving and decontamination technologies. These strategies will form the foundation for the GEF-project's incentives for coffee growers and the establishment of demonstrative farms, showcasing sustainable practices in the coffee sector.

Organisations with a proven track record in water management and a commitment to sustainable development are invited to apply for this tender. This is an opportunity to be at the forefront of international efforts to combine water efficiency with biodiversity conservation in one of Colombia's most vital agricultural sectors.