In the rugged landscapes of Boyacá, at the foot of the Iguaque-Merchán páramo complex, a silent revolution is underway. In the municipality of Arcabuco, young Colombians have made a bold choice: to stay on—or return to—their ancestral lands to practice sustainable agriculture.
These young pioneers are not farmers by default, but by conviction. Highly trained, technically skilled, and deeply attached to their roots, they are turning agroecology into a lifelong mission through the El Convite Campesino association.
Solidarity at the Heart of Agroecology
The term “convite,” deeply rooted in Colombian tradition, refers to community gatherings where neighbors join forces to help with farm work. The association has embraced this tradition as its core methodology and identity.
Every month, members meet on one of their farms to sow, harvest, or build together. This horizontal organizational model, led predominantly by women, breaks rural isolation and ensures the transfer of vital agricultural knowledge. Founded in 2020 with 16 members, the organization has quadrupled in size in just a few years. It embodies what SWISSAID views as the pillar of agroecological transition: a youth-led, locally anchored organization with strong technical capacity.
Why Youth are the Key to Colombia’s Rural Future
The majority of members are young adults—sons and daughters of farmers—who hold degrees in agronomy, environmental science, design, or communication. After studying in Bogotá or abroad, they chose to return to the fields, convinced that the land deserves a future and that they are the best equipped to build it.
Their choice defies regional trends. Over the last 70 years, Colombia has undergone rapid urbanization. The urban population nearly doubled between 1950 and 2018, rising from 38.3% to 75.5%. When youth leave, the entire food system is at risk, leading to immense ecological loss.
Peasant families are the guardians of “common goods”. They protect water sources, maintain soil health, manage fire risks, and preserve local heirloom seeds. When a territory loses its farmers, it loses the daily care that sustains ecosystems. Abandoned lands often become targets for industrial monocultures.
Youth are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between indigenous knowledge and modern science, making them the most effective agents for food system transformation.”
Meeting in Arcabuco with various stakeholders involved in land-use and environmental issues within the municipality and the region.
Restoring Ecosystems at Scale: The SWISSAID Partnership
Since 2024, El Convite Campesino has been the local partner for the SWISSAID “Conectando Páramos” project. This initiative focuses on three strategic pillars: environmental restoration, agroecological transition and gender equality and governance.
The project involves nearly 150 families. Together, participants have launched pilot restoration activities, community nurseries, and trained nine seed guardians. Additionally, climate adaptation mechanisms—such as rainwater harvesting systems, anti-hail nets, greenhouses, and small livestock units—have been implemented across dozens of farms.
El Convite Campesino, more than an association
More than just an association, El Convite has become a blueprint for economic autonomy in the region. It proves that when young people have the space and support to organize, they can reverse the trend of rural exodus. In Arcabuco, local expertise is ensuring the survival of ancestral lands. As the members say:
“Projects come and go, but knowledge remains. Our life project is to live off our land.”
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It was one of the most inspiring field visits I have had in a long time. The energy, the level of organisation, and the commitment of these young people to their territory is really something exceptional.
– said Francesco Ajena, expert in agroecology at SWISSAID, after meeting the young members of the association.
