A team from SMI Chile recently visited the Machuca Atacameño Indigenous Community as part of the services we provide in our role as a Collaborating Organisation, reaffirming our commitment to the sustainable development of communities across the region.
Located more than 4,000 metres above sea level in the Salar de Atacama, the village of Machuca is one of the most emblematic heritage settlements in the Atacama territory, recognised for its outstanding cultural and natural significance.
The visit was carried out by members of SMI Chile’s Social Performance and Resource Governance team —Camila Cabrera, Dante Choque, Manuel Escalante and Matías Villalobos— who toured several of Machuca’s most representative sites, including the community museum, the historic church and the community guesthouse. During the visit, the team also observed the progress of the new entrance wall and gateway currently under construction, a project that will help reinforce the village’s identity, enhance the visitor experience and showcase its historical and cultural heritage.
The team also visited the Machuca ford, a high Andean wetland of remarkable ecological value, where they observed some of the characteristic wildlife of the Salar de Atacama. This unique ecosystem further highlights the area’s environmental significance and rich biodiversity.
These visits provide first-hand insight into the needs, progress and challenges faced by local communities, creating opportunities for collaborative work that supports the design and implementation of projects aligned with their priorities and long-term development aspirations.
For the past four years, SMI Chile has carried out monthly visits throughout the Salar de Atacama as part of its ongoing support for 25 Indigenous communities. This work aims to strengthen local capacities and contribute to improving residents’ quality of life by providing technical and financial assistance for the design, implementation and monitoring of investment and community development projects within a sustainable development framework.
Field engagement is a cornerstone of SMI Chile’s community support model, enabling the team to build trusted relationships, gain a deeper understanding of each community’s unique context and support initiatives that respect cultural identity, protect natural heritage and respond to priorities defined by the communities themselves.
The SMI Chile team also took the opportunity to visit the nearby community of Guatín, where we likewise maintain a close working relationship in our role as a Collaborating Organisation.
