Restauración ecológica en territorios étnicos y campesinos de Montes de María: trayectorias y apuestas frente a la participación social en proyectos

In the Montes de María subregion of Colombia, various ecological restoration initiatives aim to improve the connectivity of tropical dry forests and protect ecosystem services through strategies that actively involve rural communities. This article outlines key analytical elements for understanding the role of ethnic and peasant organizations and communities within this context. First, it describes the initiatives from a perspective focused on social participation and the mechanisms used to incorporate this dimension. Then, it presents the analytical elements developed with members of organizations and communities in the Montes de María region, emphasizing approaches centered on co-creation and recognizing community-based conservation practices, while also giving visibility to organized struggles for water, land, and autonomy. These aspects provide an initial analysis of the methods and approaches to social participation in ecological restoration within Montes de María and offer a pathway for guiding studies on the implications of these initiatives in socio-ecological, ethnic, and rural contexts.