At the foothills of the western and central ranges of the Cordillera de los Andes, the Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia (CCLCC), a World Heritage property, spans a 141,120 ha area comprising a network of 18 urban centres and 6 landscapes.

Coffee growing has developed in the region over the past 150 years to become central to the cultural identity and livelihood of the local communities. Typically grown at high altitudes, the tradition has influenced land use and housing typology and has been adapted to the region’s topography, resulting in small, orthogonal plot layouts. Coffee production is a source of pride and is integral to the daily lifestyles of the local communities. Linked to traditional land ownership, the practice is passed down from one generation to the next. Coffee production is currently the main economic driver in the region.

In 2009, the Ministry of Culture of Colombia, the regional authorities, and the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC) signed a cooperation agreement to support the safeguarding and sustainable development of the CCLC through economic, social and environmental programmes. The public-private partnership with the FNC has enabled more than 85,000 families at the World Heritage property to benefit from greater participation in decision-making processes, access to research and knowledge, product quality control, and economic and financial services. The management plan of the property took into consideration the ongoing FNC strategic plan and indicators, which includes multistakeholder participation in conservation activities and sustainability standards for any programme implemented by the FNC.

Prepared by UNESCO