UNDP Conducts Capacity Building Workshop on Participatory Environmental Monitoring for Communities Linked to Lithium Projects in Jujuy Province

The activity brought together 20 communities from the Olaroz and Salinas Grandes areas to share knowledge on participatory environmental monitoring, rights, regulations, and tools that foster cross-sectoral dialogue.

October 7, 2026

Comunidades de Olaroz y Salinas Grandes — A total of 30 representatives from 20 communities in the Olaroz and Salinas Grandes areas participated in the workshop.

UNDP in Argentina

Within the framework of the Environmental Governance Programme, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (SwEPA), a capacity building workshop was held in San Salvador de Jujuy for Indigenous communities in territories where lithium projects are being developed. The purpose of the activity was to promote informed, responsible, and constructive participation by strengthening knowledge and tools related to Participatory Environmental Monitoring (PEM) as a mechanism for dialogue among stakeholders.

UNDP was represented by Matías Mottet, Environment Area Coordinator, and Marcelo Borré, Insurance Projects Coordinator. On behalf of the Government of the Province of Jujuy, Pablo Bergese, Secretary of Mining and Hydrocarbons, and Susana Amador, Secretary of Territorial Environmental Management, attended the event.

Group of people in yellow chairs seated in a large hall, watching a front-panel presentation. — The agenda included activities oriented toward dialogue and consensus-building.

UNDP in Argentina

The workshop convened 35 representatives from 20 communities in the Olaroz and Salinas Grandes regions. Over the two-day event, participants worked on rights regarding access to information and participation, regulations governing PEMs, and the characteristics and scope of this tool.

Pablo Bergese stated: "These spaces for dialogue are of paramount importance to ensuring governance in the mining sector and genuine integration and inclusion of Indigenous communities in mining projects." Matías Mottet added: "Through initiatives like this, we support the development of local communities as well as the country's economic development."

The agenda also featured activities aimed at fostering communication and consensus-building. It addressed various mechanisms for problem resolution—such as negotiation, mediation, and dialogue—alongside tools for managing conflict situations.

During the second day, participants systematized key takeaways from the workshop and engaged in an exchange with local authorities. The event concluded with the presentation of the "ABC Keychain of Participatory Environmental Monitoring"—a practical tool designed to facilitate access to key information on PEMs—and a roundtable focused on identifying and discussing the main contributions that different sectors can make to strengthen these processes on the ground.

In closing, the workshop reaffirmed the importance of building capacity and promoting spaces for participation among the diverse stakeholders involved in mining activities. These actions are part of a broader strategy driven by the Environmental Governance Programme (EGP), which seeks to support communities, provincial governments, and other relevant actors in building a more sustainable, transparent, and participatory mining sector.