Empowering mountain communities in Mendoza, Argentina

Mujeres a la Cumbre, member of the Mountain Partnership, has co-led with Sumá Nativas and Rustiva Vivero de Montaña a transformative project aimed at promoting sustainable development among mountain communities in the Mendoza province of Argentina.

The project was funded by the Patagonia Small Grants intiative in 2023. Since its inception, the project has aimed to empower local communities and citizens through education and leadership. It has provided valuable knowledge on native plants and environmental conservation of an area that in recent years has experienced a large increase in  fire events, unplanned tourism and land clearing.

A key aim of the initiative is to raise citizen awareness and participation, particularly regarding efforts for mountain sustainability. They have encouraged community participation in their conservation and restoration projects, such as the bioconstruction of a greenhouse, a native plant nursery and ecological restoration initiatives. Empowering the communities to have an active role in these projects ensures that they can implement and lead these same projects for long-term resilience of the mountains.

The main outcome is the production of four comprehensive manuals that encapsulate the project's core mission and serve as essential resources for the community and citizens to learn and practice sustainable development, such as planning for ecological restoration projects, mountain management and bio-construction in these mountainous regions.

To celebrate this achievement and share their findings, a special presentation took place on 21 October 2024, highlighting the successes of this initiative and the four guides.

These efforts mark a significant step towards protecting and nurturing the unique environment of Mendoza’s mountains, ensuring that the wisdom of native flora and suitable practices, paired with leadership, will pave the way towards a sustainable future in the highlands.

Download the manuals:

“Experience of Rústica Vivero de Montaña as Bio-constructors and Nurseries”

“Planning Guide for Ecological Restoration Projects”

“Leadership and Sustainable Mountain Management”

“Guide of Plants from the Cordon del Plata”

Watch the event recording here.