Colombia is home to the cleanest neighborhood in Latin America. El Regalo, a neighborhood located in Bosa district of Bogota, has become a benchmark for urban sustainability and civic culture. In 2018, it was recognized as the cleanest neighborhood in Latin America by the Gaviota International Award, an honor given to outstanding social, environmental, and community initiatives. This recognition was no coincidence it is the result of over two decades of collective effort and community commitment to transform an area once plagued by waste and neglect into a model of cleanliness, order, and waste management.
Why was El Regalo, Bogota recognized as the cleanest neighborhood in Latin America?
The story of El Regalo is an inspiring example of how an organized community can overcome adversity. In its early years, the neighborhood faced a severe environmental crisis: garbage piled up in the streets due to a lack of civic culture and poor coordination between the times residents disposed of waste and the schedules of collection services. This led to bad odors, rodent infestations, and a generally negative image of the area.
Concerned about the deteriorating conditions, local residents led by the Community Action Board and key figures such as Ana Ines, the organization’s president decided to take action. “This is work we’ve been doing for over 19 years due to a garbage problem. We began educating people and discovered that within the waste there was economic potential, such as plastic bottles and composting. It’s been hard work, but it’s been worth it, despite the criticism and obstacles we’ve faced,” said Inés.
Since then, El Regalo has implemented a community-based environmental management model centered on three pillars: recycling, urban agriculture, and environmental education. The neighborhood’s more than 1,800 residents have developed a culture of waste utilization. They separate trash at home, collect and sell recyclables, and use organic waste to produce compost, which is then used in their own gardens.
Currently, El Regalo boasts 189 urban gardens, which not only improve air quality and enhance the urban landscape but also allow many families to sustainably grow their own food. Facades are painted, streets remain clean, gardens are collectively maintained, and sidewalks offer a pleasant, well-kept environment very different from what is typically seen in other urban areas of Bogota.
@bisvita.cero Este es el barrio más limpio de Latinoamérica, y está aquí no más! 🤩 ¿Ya conocía la historia de El Regalo? 🎁 El poder comunitario logró transformar su realidad y convertirlo en un ejemplo para el resto de Bogotá y para el país. ¿Cómo vería lograr un cambio así en su barrio? Le leemos en los comentarios sumercé 👀 #basuracero #sostenibilidad #historias #premios #comunidad #barrio #bogotá ♬ sonido original – Bisvita.cero
Civic culture as a driver of change
A key factor behind El Regalo’s success has been the strengthening of civic culture and the creation of strong neighborhood networks. The community regularly organizes cleanup campaigns, promotes shared responsibility among residents, and works with schools to instill environmental awareness in children and youth. These efforts have helped create a safe, healthy, and dignified environment.
Citizen groups have also formed to act as guardians of public spaces. These groups monitor, guide, and encourage adherence to community agreements regarding the care of the neighborhood. As a result, El Regalo has sustained a model of coexistence based on respect, active participation, and a collective commitment to well-being.
A model worth replicating
El Regalo’s story proves that change is possible when there is willpower, leadership, and cooperation. Without relying on major government investments, this neighborhood achieved what many would consider an urban utopia: a clean, green, productive, and engaged community. Its experience has become a replicable example for other neighborhoods across the city and country, and today stands as a source of pride not only for Bogota, but for all of Latin America.