-by Andrea
From January 28th to 31st 2025, the mountains of San Jerónimo in Antioquia, Colombia, welcomed a diverse group of women, gender expansive people and queer organisers from various regions of Latin America and the Spanish-speaking Caribbean to the first Ecofeminist Camp in Latin America. Convened by Roots International and supported by allied organizations, collectives, and funds—including FRIDA—the camp served as a gathering for sharing knowledge, struggles, dreams, and acts of resistance. Throughout the event, which included workshops, plenary sessions, cultural activities, and methodological discussions, participants were focused on the importance of building networks in the region in response to growing extractivism, which primarily affects Indigenous, peasant, rural, and Afro-Latinx women. This extractivism has, to varying extents, also impacted the racialized and marginalized populations residing in urban areas.
The camp facilitated an intergenerational meeting, with notable youth representation, where anti-patriarchal, decolonial, anti-speciesist, anti-imperialist, anti-ableist, and anti-capitalist movements d in defense of various ecosystems that sustain life in Abya Yala were highlighted. The camp was a heartfelt embrace for the 110 participants who, during those four days, shared stories of violence and emancipation, strategies for resistance, and experiences of the multiple forms of violence prevalent in the region. This gathering also served as a hopeful space for reflection amidst the advance of far-right governments, who pose a threat to socio-environmental rights.Two partners from the FRIDAverse, along with myself, a member of the FRIDA team,a, co-facilitated various sessions throughout the event. We highlighted the rights of Indigenous communities led by women and gender diverse activists, as well as the importance of flexible funding a and capacity strengthening forcollectives, organizations, and grassroots groups led by women, girls, youth, and trans and non-binary folks. During the presentations, we also highlighted how flexible funding is essential for ensuring dignified conditions for economic self-sufficiency.
During the presentations, partners shared about their experiences, and the importance of indigenous community, history, and knowledge as they pursue climate justice.
“The harassment, persecution, and attacks against our director have increased due to the actions our organization has taken against corporations and state actors to defend our water bodies. However, this has not deterred us from working with our communities, and we continue to see more people joining our efforts. This path can be exhausting, and at times the situation appears very bleak, but we know we are fighting because lakes are part of our identity as Indigenous peoples; we cannot live without them. The camp offered us a chance to share our experiences and realize that many other comrades are also resisting, and although each of us faces unique challenges, we are all confronting similar forms of violence [dispossession, militarization, forced displacement…] from the same corporations disguised as progress and development. We are also grateful to the FRIDA fund because the flexible grant has allowed us to strengthen our capacities and build networks with other organizations.” – FRIDA Grantee partner
“Highlighting what Indigenous groups led by women are doing [here at the camp], and finding resonance with sisters from different regions and territories of Abya Yala, gives us strength to continue implementing our projects. While this was a hopeful space, we do not overlook our anger at the impunity with which the region continues to be exploited—not only for our sacred natural resources but also for our knowledge and traditions.” – FRIDA Grantee Partner
“This gathering allowed us to share a piece of what we have been advocating for at FRIDA, making climate action and gender issues the common thread that interconnects various struggles for racial rights, land rights, queer community rights, and the rights of those defending the earth and territories, as well as sexual and reproductive rights. In a world suffering from multiple systems of inequality, no one can be truly healthy. The event allowed me to connect not only with FRIDA partners but also with other young activists from the region who recognize the transformative work FRIDA has been following in reshaping the prevailing norms of philanthropy. I feel deeply inspired and grateful for everything that was shared, celebrated, and supported.”- Andrea, FRIDA Team Member
To conclude the event, a collective statement was issued, summarizing the key thoughts and feelings shared. The statement also articulated the ongoing demands woven into the struggles for the respect and dignity of our bodies and territories throughout the region. It focused on the importance of collective care, honoring the ancestral and cosmogonic wisdom of the intricate web of life that sustains us, and emphasized that neither women nor the earth should be viewed as territories to be conquered.
