RedBioCOL
National network for biomass energy in Colombia


RedBioCOL News
Selected Projects and Exchanges of our 2017 Call for Proposals
News from WISIONS posted on January 10th, 2018

Organisation: Green Empowerment
Country: Ecuador
Affordable Finance for Sustainable Energy: Sharing Successful Models in South East Asia
Organisation: Nexus for Development
Country: Cambodia
Waste to Wisdom: Supporting Biodigester Practitioners in South East Asia
Organisation: Green Empowerment
Country: Malaysia / Sri Lanka / Philippines
A Country Level Market Assessment for Small Wind Turbines
Organisation:KAPEG
Country: Nepal
"Biogas for Energy" – E-Learning Platform for Latin America and the Caribbean
Organisation: CIBiogás
Country: Brazil
Organisation: Wind Empowerment
Country: Worldwide
Organisation: Barbados Water Authority
Country: Barbados
Improving the Sustainability of Micro-Hydropower Projects: Development of Knowledge-Sharing Tools
Organisation: TONIBUNG CREATE
Country: Malaysia
Unlocking Credit to Promote the use of Commercial Biogas in the Poultry Industry
Organisation: Winrock Nepal
Country: Nepal
Organisation: PEEDA
Country: Nepal
Productive Use of Wind in Argentina - Developing Rural Areas with an Abundant Resource
Organisation: Wind Empowerment
Country: Argentina
Community Energy Center and Eco Sustainability Park in the Municipality of Independencia
Organisation: Municipality of Independencia
Country: Chile

Upcoming events
The third national RedBioCol meeting will bring together all the members in Pasto, Nariño, and will take place on November 8-10, 2019.
Introduction
The benefits of the use of biomass to generate energy in Colombia are many, particularly in the agricultural sector but also in other sectors with significant flows of organic residues.
RedBioCOL grew from the inspiring example provided by the Latin American network RedBioLAC. However RedBioCOL has a broader scope which includes biomass energy in all its forms, rather than biodigesters specifically. Since RedBioCOL’s foundation in 2012, its membership has grown to 80 organisations, including farmers’ associations, NGOs, small and medium-sized social enterprises, social movements, universities and educational institutes in both rural and urban locations.
The network links practitioners within a single country and, as a result, it can harness the synergies that exist between its members, as well as focus on specific national political, economic and social conditions.
Mission & Goals
RedBioCOL’s mission is to improve the perception of biomass-based energy systems among relevant stakeholders in Colombia. In order to achieve this, the network has the following objectives:
- Promoting the use of biomass energy technologies as a tool for improving farming systems and the livelihood of farmers
- Facilitating the exchange of experiences and knowledge among organisations and individuals
- Promoting the formulation and realisation of research and development projects that are relevant to the needs and conditions of the network’s individual members and associated organisations
Activities
Since its establishment, the network has put particular emphasis on field workshops that foster links and knowledge sharing between organisations (such as farmers’ associations, NGOs and enterprises) which advance specific technical and/or social innovations. Field workshops take place at sites where host organisations are in the process of implementing relevant innovations. In this way, representatives from the visiting organisations have the opportunity to learn first-hand about concepts that might be relevant in their own context.
Bi-Annual Meeting
The network organises a bi-annual national meeting with the aim of bringing together experiences from all over the country and presenting research and development on the subject of biomass energy. The national meetings are a platform for promoting the creation/strengthening the links between players who are involved or interested in the field. They are also a platform for disseminating information about the technologies and existing experiences to a broader audience.
RedBioCOL’s committees involve network members advancing specific areas that have been identified as strategic priorities for the further development of the network: communication, research, solidarity economy and local leaders/promoters.
The next bi-annual meeting will take place in 8-10 November, 2019 in Pasto, Nariño. More information can be found here.
Coordination & Support
The network is currently coordinated by a team comprising: Lylian Rodríguez (left, UTA Foundation), Fabián Henao (Terrazonet) and Gloria Pedraza (CIPAV). They can be contacted here.
RedBioCOL is supported by the WISIONS initiative as well as other organisations.