Cultural Diversity

The Cooperation Fund for Water and Sanitation intends to mainstream the values and knowledge of indigenous people in its actions and programmes, since respect for cultural diversity is a key element of sustainable development policies for all Spanish Cooperation. It aims to find ways to promote the participation of local indigenous communities, respecting and valuing their own cosmogonies, visions and values, taking into account that indigenous people are among the most vulnerable population groups and have historically been marginalised. The challenge is to address the specificities of indigenous people and their relationship with water and sanitation through articulation with local governments and the strengthening of institutions, interdisciplinary work and social and territorial management.

Most of the work has been carried out in Paraguay, Guatemala, Bolivia, Panama, Ecuador and Peru, using an intercultural approach and involving indigenous populations in project planning.