2024 Award "Best Practice in Citizen Participation"

The stream La Ayurá has opened new perspectives of knowledge in the municipality of Envigado, where children participate in direct activities with the stream, such as drawing and writing about it, learning about nature-best solutions through games like Minecraft. This comprehensive approach is supported by a governance table that involves governmental actors such as the Envigado Council, the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Environment, recognising the importance of bringing together art, education, experience to understand and conserve natural resources, with an emphasis on water resources. 

Resulting in solid processes such as: 

‘Guardians of the Ayurá’ is recognised as a successful project that has engaged in environmental education processes in an experiential and experiential way. Through activities such as mapping, hydrology and visits to protected areas, the children have developed a deep understanding of the importance of water resources. 

Literary Waters: Fifth graders created micro-stories based on the myths and legends of the Ayurá stream. Not only did they highlight the natural characteristics of the stream, but also its cultural, historical and symbolic significance for the community of Envigado. The best stories were published in an environmental booklet socialised in the communities of the territory.

Contests that strengthen the appropriation and participation of children as a process to generate future generations owning conservation and nature. Through the contest “My river, my city and I,” the aim was to promote the conservation and appropriation of the main water tributary of the urban area: La Ayurá stream and local biodiversity. Each child participated with a drawing and a text inspired by the water tributary, including historical, symbolic and natural elements. 

Art for conservation: a 100m2 mural was carried out through citizen participation and creative activities. The mural is a sample of the local biodiversity and the symbolic and cultural importance of the creek.

Minecraft: Use of the video game to help the children of Envigado to discover, learn, plan and design nature-based solutions, whose main challenge was to manage the territory in a sustainable way and in harmony with the water resource.

• https://www.interlace-project.eu/es (External link)