Humans of Partners for Water: meet Mario Ciono Fuentes

With the Humans of Partners for Water series, we showcase the people who are involved in and benefit from our projects. The Humans series highlights the stories of the people with whom and for whom Partners for Water works, and on how water affects their lives. Discover how Mario Ciono’s dedication to his community in Cartagena is helping restore the city’s rivers and protect its neighbourhoods from environmental damage.

Meet Mario Ciono Fuentes

Meet Mario Ciono Fuentes, President of the Community Action Board of the Villa Rosa neighbourhood in Cartagena, Colombia. As a community leader, he represents the voice of his neighbourhood in efforts to improve the local environment and protect residents from the impact of pollution and climate-related hazards.

Water as life

For Mario Ciono, water is not simply a resource, it is the foundation of life itself. Living in Cartagena, he sees first-hand how pollution and the effects of human activity are putting pressure on the city’s rivers and natural surroundings, and how urgent it is to protect them.

“Water is a natural resource…it is life, it is the most beautiful thing that nature could give to humankind. We take care of it, we conserve it, and we work for it.”

Dutch-Colombian water cooperation

Colombia is one of seven delta countries in the Partners for Water 2022–2027 programme. In Cartagena, the programme finances the Water as Leverage Cartagena initiative, which develops inclusive and innovative climate adaptation solutions together with Colombian, Dutch and international partners.

Partners for Water collaborates with Colombian national and local governments, the private sector, NGOs, academia and community organisations to enhance water security and climate change adaptation in the country’s delta cities and agricultural regions.

Community voices such as Mario’s are an important part of this process, helping to ensure that solutions for cleaner rivers and a healthier coastline reflect the needs and realities of the people who live there.

Beyond Cartagena, Partners for Water also supports projects across Colombia through its subsidy scheme, enabling Dutch and Colombian organisations to develop and test innovative water solutions, such as initiatives to address freshwater scarcity and soil salinisation in the Magdalena Delta.

Get involved in Colombia

Are you currently working on water projects in Colombia or exploring how to do so? Or just interested in participating in Partners for Water initiatives? Here are some ways for you to get involved:

• Apply for our tenders focused on innovative solutions in delta countries like Colombia. Find more information on our news page.
• Join our annual Colombia platform meeting or one of the other Partners for Water events. Check out our events page for upcoming events.
• Follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on our tenders, activities, events and projects.
• Get in touch with our Project Advisor for Colombia Robert Proos.