Awake
The challenge
Colombia holds 10% of the world’s biodiversity, yet it rates amongst the top 5 countries with the highest deforestation rates in the world. Especially in rural areas with scarce alternative income opportunities, environmentally damaging practices lead to increased deforestation.
The innovation
Awake uses nature tourism as a driver for sustainable development in rural areas. Awake’s marketplace connects local hosts to potential clients. This enables local hosts to be discovered by more clients and earn more per client. Awake has also created a development agency that seeks to deliver special projects to enhance the nature-tourism industry and promote environmental conservation.
The impact
Deforestation has decreased 100% in rural areas where Awake is active. Awake represents an income source for 300 hosts, and over 1,000 people benefit from the host network. Awake has also trained 400 people in sustainable tourism.
