{"id":15888,"date":"2025-03-06T12:22:55","date_gmt":"2025-03-06T11:22:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mission-21.org\/?post_type=projekte&p=15888"},"modified":"2026-09-01T12:56:17","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T10:56:17","slug":"lake-titicaca-in-need-strategies-for-climate-justice","status":"publish","type":"projekte","link":"https:\/\/www.mission-21.org\/en\/projekte\/titicacasee-in-not-strategien-fuer-klimagerechtigkeit\/","title":{"rendered":"Lake Titicaca in need: strategies for climate justice"},"content":{"rendered":"

Background information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Threatened biodiversity, falling water levels and toxic water pollution: according to experts, the world's highest navigable lake is close to an ecological tipping point. Urgent action is required. However, the political situation on the ground is characterized by weak governance, with civil society having little influence on government decisions and no consultation between municipalities. Government investment is also not focused on solving the environmental problems of Lake Titicaca.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the midst of many pressing challenges, our partner organizations are working together with indigenous smallholder and youth associations to address the environmental crisis through various approaches and to hold government agencies accountable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Political Participation of Indigenous Women and Legal Counseling<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Indigenous women, together with partner organizations and legal advisors, drafted a policy regulation that was adopted by the regional government of Puno (Peru) in May 2025: This regulation recognizes Lake Titicaca as a legal entity entitled to comprehensive protection. Among other things, the regulation provides for a right to file complaints to represent the lake\u2019s ecological interests. It also recognizes the lake\u2019s right to ecological restoration and ensures the full participation of Indigenous communities in decision-making processes regarding water policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This ecocentric approach makes it possible to draw on the spiritual understanding of indigenous communities and to ascribe a deeper meaning to water. However, the ordinance also reaffirms the local population\u2019s right to access, use, and control water resources. At the same time, it emphasizes the right to environmental protection and the protection of the \u00abproductive capacities\u00bb of the land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Training youth clubs and raising public awareness<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In Bolivia <\/strong>our partner organizations are working with three secondary school classes in the field of environmental education. In addition to imparting knowledge and skills on water issues, this also includes waste collection campaigns, raising public awareness and project work along the Katari River and in larger urban centers such as Copacabana, Puno and El Alto. The Katari is a main water artery and at the same time a main source of pollution in Lake Titicaca.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Peru <\/strong>our partner organizations work with the same approach with young people from six school classes along Lake Titicaca.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our partner organizations aim to raise awareness among both the general local population and tourists. To this end, they carry out awareness-raising campaigns in collaboration with indigenous women\u2019s and youth associations. These include trash collection drives, the \u00abLake Titicaca Without Borders\u00bb festival, as well as theater performances and art events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Binational dialog forums and waste collection campaigns<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The project also organizes binational dialogue forums where civil society actors, members of local and regional government authorities and representatives of environmental ministries come together to discuss challenges, best practices and solutions. Special attention is paid to ensuring long-term opportunities for indigenous women and young people to participate in political dialog. On the other hand, concrete measures are also developed, which are taken up and partially implemented by the local authorities. Ensuring a direct dialog between Peruvian and Bolivian authorities in the Lake Titicaca project region also opens up new insights into the complexity of the problem and makes the urgent need for binational coordination tangible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our partner organizations are planning their third large-scale, binational trash cleanup campaign this year. With approximately 1,100 participants, the goal is to clear trash from the shorelines at various locations around Lake Titicaca and along the Katari River.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Permanent participation in round tables with the state<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Our partner organizations take part in existing round tables, so-called \"mesas\", on poverty reduction, health care and agriculture. Wherever possible, they support the development of action plans and are committed to improving natural resource management and better coordination between the authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mission 21 has been supporting this work to protect Lake Titicaca as a new project since January 1, 2025. It complements the long-standing project work of our partner organizations in the area of food sovereignty and with the aim of supporting indigenous women and young people in Peru in order to strengthen their political participation and improve environmental protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project goals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Together with its partner organizations, Mission 21 supports indigenous women and youth from the local Aymara, Quechua, and Urus communities in acquiring knowledge and skills in environmental education and strategic public advocacy, as well as in organizing environmental action days. Mission 21 supports local efforts to recognize Lake Titicaca as a legal entity by providing legal advice from experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Target groups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n