Maps within reach: tools to strengthen territorial governance in the Colombian Amazon

In the Colombian Amazon, access to territorial information is scarce, uneven, and limited by technological, institutional, and local capacity barriers. Although the State and various actors have developed information systems and geoviewers, these often require permanent connectivity and specialized technical knowledge and are not adapted to the actual conditions of the territory. This project proposes a concrete, scalable, and low-cost solution to democratize access to geographic information through the development of two interconnected products. The first is a web geoviewer open to the public, which allows users to explore geographic layers, customize maps according to specific needs, and generate cartographic inputs relevant to decision-making processes. From this same geoviewer, users can download the second product: mobile cartography.
georeferenced, designed to work without an internet connection and compatible with any cell phone. Although distributed in a universal format, these maps allow advanced functions such as real-time location, route mapping, distance measurement, and exporting routes or polygons in GIS-compatible formats. The innovation of this project lies in the integration of existing technologies under a logic of decentralization, portability, and technological autonomy. Its products function as a technological bridge that articulates the technical, institutional, and community aspects in rural and low-connectivity contexts. By strengthening local capacities for land analysis and use, the project contributes to an effective redistribution of power, in line with the Escazú Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The project is important and necessary for at least three reasons.
First, because it promotes compliance with international and national regulatory frameworks that recognize access to information as a condition for environmental participation, territorial justice, and governance. This includes the Escazú Agreement, the Rio Declaration, and Colombia's own Constitution, as well as an extensive network of laws and rulings. This is in line with a broad political and academic consensus that supports the importance of access to information on environmental and territorial issues.

Second, because there are still many barriers preventing such access. Although the State produces valuable information, it is often difficult for communities to find, understand, or use. Furthermore, historical inequalities persist in the Amazon, making such access even more necessary.
Third, because we propose a different strategy. While other actors pressure the State to provide better information, at OA we believe that we should not wait. From the university, we use existing technologies and data to organize and present them in a clear, understandable, and useful way for communities.
In short, this project is necessary because it helps those who live in the Amazon to directly access the information they need to make decisions about their territories and strengthen their participation.

Territorial governance; Geographic information; Colombian Amazon; Escazú Agreement

A. Products resulting from activities to generate new knowledge

• Research articles (original scientific articles): two (2) research articles prepared and submitted for publication. The first will present both the tool developed and some of its uses. The second will analyze some of the socio-environmental conflicts associated with deforestation in the Colombian Amazon.

B. Products resulting from activities for the social appropriation of knowledge

• Processes for the social appropriation of knowledge (strengthening or resolving issues of social interest): participation in four workshops with civil society organizations and public officials from the Colombian Amazon to publicize the tool developed, demonstrate its usefulness, and explain how it is used.