Green communities resilient to climate change in the municipality of Las Sabanas, Madríz

Abstract

This article analyzes the best community practices for climate resilience carried out in the municipality of Las Sabanas, Madriz, Nicaragua, with the purpose of understanding its scope, effectiveness and sustainability in the context of climate change. The methodology implemented was based on the critical social paradigm with a qualitative approach. Information was collected through participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and focus groups involving 87 participants, among them, rural producers, of which, 63 % were women and 37 % were men, in addition to 9 territorial technicians where 45 % were women and 55 % were men. The main results highlight that the “Green Communities” methodology represents both a challenge and an opportunity. High levels have been achieved in ecological solutions in the areas of education, organization, production and communication, assisted by a consensual instrument previously validated and applied at the community level: The Green meter. This instrument is applied semi-annually with community involvement that assesses its scope and challenges. Communities with the highest performances are: El Cipián, Nueva Esperanza, El Pegador, Miramar, Quebrada Honda, and Oruce. In conclusion, the “Green Communities” methodology, together with the resilience actions led by the target population, are deemed to be successful, where strengthening community development evidences popular learning and active integrational dialogue in favor of the environment as well as the quality of life of the residents. This model represents a replicable alternative for other areas vulnerable to climate change.