The initiative led by Colciencias seeks to contribute to the solution of needs in the communities of La Guajira, Risaralda and Putumayo that are in poverty conditions, through the dialogue of knowledge, the use of research or development results and the exchange of knowledge in strategic areas of science, technology and innovation.

For the period 2012 -2013 Water and its relationship with poverty were defined as the theme.. In this sense, Colciencias opened a call that had the support of the highest environmental authority of the department, so that natural and legal persons could express the needs that affect their communities. In La Guajira they applied 55 initiatives, of which the following were prioritized:

– Water supply to the Etkojo>ole indigenous communities, Karrasira and Paranachimana – Manaure

– Access to drinking water and basic sanitation for Kasiche I indigenous communities, Kasich II, The Plot, Wayumano- Maicao

– Construction of deep wells for the aqueduct of the community of Camarones – Riohacha.

– Purify water for human consumption of the Wayúu community of the Gran Vía reservoir.

– Surface water treatment (jagüey) and underground in the Kamusuchiwo community – Uribia

Corpoguajira, through the Planning Advisory Office, supported the dissemination and participation process of communities and organizations involved in water and poverty processes, as well as in the organization and development of the project evaluation committee.

The second phase of Ideas for Change contemplates the design of solutions to the selected needs.. For its part, in the third and final stage, Two projects will be chosen to be executed through the celebration of a contract with Colciencias, in which Corpoguajira will contribute the sum of $80 millones, with which the environmental entity will contribute to improving the quality of life of Wayúu indigenous people in conditions of extreme poverty.