Ecohome

The challenge

Colombia’s tropical dry forest is one of the country’s most threatened ecosystems, where over 90% of its original coverage has been lost. Years of deforestation, armed conflict, and underinvestment have left rural areas struggling with degraded lands and limited economic opportunities. The remaining forest fragments are highly vulnerable, reducing biodiversity and resilience in the face of climate change.

The innovation

Ecohome is a Colombian social enterprise pioneering a model of productive restoration that combines ecological regeneration with rural development. Through its Red de Protectores del Chumbimbo (Chumbimbo Protectors Network), Ecohome works with smallholder families to plant native Sapindus saponaria trees, known locally as chumbimbo, whose fruit is transformed into natural bio-based ingredients for home and personal care products. By integrating science, innovation, and community participation, Ecohome restores degraded ecosystems while creating sustainable income for rural producers.

The impact

With Acumen’s investment, supported by IDB Lab, Fundación Bancolombia, and other partners, Ecohome is scaling its model to reach 700 families and restore 1% of Colombia’s tropical dry forest by 2030. Already, more than 220 families are generating new income through chumbimbo cultivation, contributing to ecosystem recovery and climate resilience. By linking biodiversity conservation to viable business models, Ecohome is redefining how Colombia’s rural communities can lead the country’s transition toward a more just and regenerative economy.