Small Files, Big Changes

This publication embodies a shared dream: to demonstrate that peace can take root and flourish in Colombia’s rural territories. Developed through the Orquídeas – Women in Science program, a partnership between the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation in Colombia (acronym in Spanish, MinCiencias) and the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, this guide aspires to inspire sustainability and hope in communities that, despite enduring conflict, have found unexpected allies in insects to transform their present and shape a brighter future.

Led by the Center for Terrestrial Arthropod Research (CINAT, by its acronym in Spanish) and the Insects for Peace program, this effort owes its success to the dedication and passion of an interdisciplinary team, as well as the trust and resilience of rural communities. It is more than research; it is a shared journey of learning and celebrating the human and natural potential of our regions.

These pages go beyond practical advice on the circular economy and the use of insects, specifically the Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens L.), as animal feed and biofertilizer. We present a tool for empowerment, enabling individuals to transform their reality through simple yet impactful actions.