Gran Tierra Energy's social investment projects benefit cocoa producers, entrepreneurs, and youth in Putumayo

Gran Tierra Energy develops important social investment projects for the benefit of the communities in Putumayo, which have achieved results that favor the quality of life and development of the communities. An example of this is that the Company has been supporting local entrepreneurs through its entrepreneurship program Emprender+; it creates new opportunities for local cocoa farmers through the opening of a new Cocoa Research Laboratory; and it develops the skills of students through the PetrolCopa project.

• 644 entrepreneurs participated in the Emprender+ program, which provides technical and financial assistance to small local entrepreneurs to strengthen and expand their businesses.
• The first Cocoa Research Center was inaugurated in La Carmelita, Putumayo, which will benefit 1,120 cocoa producers in the region. Local producers can access technology, capital, and training to strengthen their production and expand their market opportunities.
• Through the PetrolCopa project, 500 students will present projects focused on water protection and biodiversity. This initiative works with local schools to promote teamwork and conflict resolution skills among students.

Through these initiatives, Gran Tierra reaffirms its commitment to support the economic and social development of local communities in Putumayo. These three projects are just a few examples of Gran Tierra's commitment to go «Beyond Compliance,” which means that wherever there are significant opportunities and benefits for the environment or communities, the Company voluntarily goes beyond what is legally required to protect the environment and provide social benefits.

Entrepreneurship+

More than 600 entrepreneurs were recognized for their participation in the Emprender+ project in Putumayo.
As part of a partnership with Scotiabank, Gran Tierra carried out this high-impact project which promotes economic growth and empowerment of local businesses by providing tools, including financial support and technical training, to sustainably strengthen the ventures of local entrepreneurs. This year, the 145 most outstanding participants had access to an additional funding pool that will allow them to further grow their ventures.

Cocoa Laboratory

The Company announced the opening of a new Cocoa Laboratory located at the Rural Ecological Educational Institution El Cuembi in the La Carmelita village, Puerto Asís.
Thanks to a partnership between SENA (National Learning Service), Gran Tierra Energy, and USAID, and with an investment of COP$1,000 million, this laboratory has the potential to benefit all cocoa producers in the region, which includes 14 cocoa-producing companies and 1,120 families directly linked to cocoa production. The Laboratory is equipped with high-quality equipment such as ovens, grain coolers, crushers, scrapers, refiners, timers, and elements of the chocolate agro-industry. These new tools will allow local producers to test their products and improve their quality, which in turn will lead to better productive crops and greater market opportunities.

PetrolCopa

With the PetrolCopa School Challenge, more than 500 local students from Putumayo will present their projects on water protection and biodiversity.
This is the third year that Gran Tierra has undertaken this project alongside the Colombian Society of Petroleum Engineers. The project teaches students about water use, the importance of protecting natural water sources, and the ways in which companies like Gran Tierra implement strict environmental protection strategies and measures to safeguard the environment during their operational activities.

 

In the last four years, Gran Tierra's voluntary social investment projects have benefited more than 255,000 people living near operations, and in 2021 alone, 55% of these beneficiaries were women. These initiatives are just a few examples of the work that Gran Tierra Energy is doing in Putumayo, and for the company, these partnerships are fundamental components of productive operational environments that can then benefit local communities near their operations.