alinea’s whistleblower policy

1.1 Purpose

The following Whistleblower Policy has been established to provide guidance to Alinea International employees and sub-contractors on how to deal with known or suspected improper conduct within the organization. The objectives of this Policy are to:

Create awareness of the Policy and available whistleblower protections
Act as a reference guide to potential whistleblowers wishing to make a disclosure
Define the structure of the whistleblower system, including reporting and investigation procedures, whistleblower protections, and confidentiality, among others
Improve the communication and transparency in the processes associated with whistleblowing and assure protection against derogatory consequences, namely reprisals and detrimental action
Complement the current communication channels between employees, sub-contractors and immediate managers, and hierarchical channels flowing to the President and Senior Management team
Provide guidance to all parties involved in either whistleblowing or whistleblower protection.

1.2 Scope

Alinea requires all employees and sub-contractors to observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities. All employees and sub-contractors of Alinea are required to comply with applicable laws and regulations of Canada and the countries where we operate. Any allegations of known or suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources will be dealt with in accordance with this Policy, and reasonable steps will be taken to protect those who come forward with allegations. Alinea’s Whistleblower Policy covers both internal and external whistleblowing, and establishes the controls and procedures for dealing with allegations of malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. This Policy is intended to encourage employees and sub-contractors to report known or suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources and to enable Alinea’s Senior Management team to address and correct inappropriate action. It is the responsibility of all Board of Directors’ members, the Senior Management team, employees and sub-contractors to report concerns about known or suspected malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. This Policy is applicable to all employees and sub-contractors of Alinea International.

1.3 Reporting Procedures

Alinea recognizes the value of transparency and accountability in its administrative and management practices and supports the making of disclosures that reveal improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources. Our internal controls and operating procedures are intended to detect and prevent malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. As detailed in Alinea’s Employee Policy and Onboarding manuals, employees and sub-contractors are encouraged to share complaints and/or concerns regarding ethical or legal violations with their immediate managers. If the employee or sub-contractor is not comfortable speaking with their immediate manager or is not satisfied with the response, they are encouraged to speak with the Gatineau or Calgary Office Managers, the Vice Presidents or, as required, the Chief Financial Officer. All members of the Senior Management team are required to report complaints and/or concerns about suspected ethical or legal violations in writing to Alinea’s Ethics Committee who has the responsibility to investigate all reported complaints and/or concerns. In the event that the complaint and/or concern is about the President, it should be raised by the employee or sub-contractor to their immediate manager or the Ethics Committee who will determine how the investigation will proceed. All reports will be promptly investigated and appropriate corrective measures will be taken if warranted by the investigation. Alinea’s Ethics Committee is responsible for acknowledging receipt of the suspected violation and notifying the whistleblower of the outcome of the investigation. Anyone filing a written complaint concerning suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources must be acting in good faith and have reasonable grounds for believing the information disclosed indicates a violation. Personal grievances or complaints related to employment are not covered under Alinea’s Whistleblowing Policy. For cases such as this, employees and sub-contractors are advised to first refer to Alineas Employee Policy and Onboarding manuals when considering a disclosure under the Whistleblowing Policy. Any allegations that prove not to be substantiated and which prove to have been made maliciously or knowingly to be false will be viewed as a serious disciplinary offense.

1.4 Confidentiality

Maintaining confidentiality is crucial to ensure reprisals are not made against the whistleblower. Alinea is committed to safeguarding the identity of the whistleblower and to protecting the whistleblower against detrimental action taken in reprisal for allegations of suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources. The Ethics Committee is responsible for ensuring whistleblowers are protected from direct and indirect detrimental action, and that the culture of the workplace is supportive of suspected allegations being made. Any employee who retaliates against someone who has reported a violation in good faith is subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment.

1.5 Review

Alinea is committed to implementing ‘best practice’ policies and procedures for dealing with allegations of suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources (as defined by this Policy) and the management and protection of whistleblowers making allegation(s). This Policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure it meets the objectives of relevant legislation and remains effective for Alinea, and may be changed at the discretion of the Board of Directors at any time. For allegations of fraud, securities law, or human rights concerns, or when you are not satisfied or uncomfortable with following the Company’s open door policy, individuals should contact the Company’s Ethics Committee directly.

Click here to close window

La Embajada de Canadá en Bolivia visitó las comunidades de Quetena Grande y Quetena Chico, ubicadas en la Reserva Eduardo Avaroa, Potosi, Bolivia, con el objetivo de conocer de primera mano los avances del proyecto que busca transformar la gobernanza ambiental mediante el fortalecimiento del liderazgo de las mujeres.

LA PAZ, BOLIVIA – Marzo de 2026 – En el corazón de la Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa (REA), a más de 4,200 metros sobre el nivel del mar, el proyecto “Mujeres Guardianas de la Biodiversidad y la Resiliencia Climática en Humedales/Bofedales” aporta a la gestión de ecosistemas altoandinos.

Del 9 al 11 de febrero, una delegación de alto nivel de la Embajada de Canadá en Bolivia, liderada por la Jefa de Cooperación, Laurie Rogers, visitó los territorios de Quetena Grande y Quetena Chico con el propósito de conocer de primera mano el contexto y los avances de la iniciativa orientada al fortalecimiento de los liderazgos de mujeres indígenas que habitan en la Reserva / Sitio Ramsar Los Lipez.

La visita se realizó en compañía del equipo técnico de Bolivia —Lic. Fernanda Velasco e Dra. Anabel Acuña— así como de la Gerencia del proyecto, representada por la Ing. Marcelita Ponce de León, quienes presentaron los principales resultados, desafíos y aprendizajes del proceso en territorio.

Durante el recorrido por los bofedales, ecosistemas estratégicos para la regulación hídrica y la resiliencia climática de la zona, Laurie Rogers destacó: “Estamos muy contentos de trabajar con mujeres líderes y con toda la comunidad para proteger esta naturaleza tan importante.”

Un Modelo de Desarrollo Basado en la Equidad y la Sostenibilidad

Financiado por el Gobierno de Canadá a través de Global Affairs Canada (GAC) e implementado por Alinea International, el proyecto tiene un horizonte de ejecución de cinco años (2024-2029). Su eje central no es solo la conservación de la biodiversidad de la zona, sino apoyar la evolución de mujeres usuarias de los recursos a ser protagonistas de la gobernanza ambiental de su territorio.

La intervención reconoce que la sostenibilidad de la Reserva Eduardo Avaroa —uno de los ecosistemas más frágiles de la región— depende directamente de la participación equitativa en la toma de decisiones.

El Desafío Generacional y Económico en el Altiplano

Ubicado en el municipio de San Pablo de Lípez, el proyecto aborda un desafío de género y generacional único. Actualmente, la economía local presenta una dualidad, por un lado la ganadería de camélidos, está liderada mayoritariamente por mujeres adultas con un conocimiento ancestral profundo en la crianza de llamas y el manejo de bofedales.

Por otro lado, el Ecoturismo (la REA es el Área Protegida más visitada por turistas extranjeros en Bolivia) es una actividad impulsada principalmente por jóvenes emprendedores que aprovechan la espectacularidad de sus paisajes andinos.

La misión de la Embajada de Canadá en Bolivia no solo se enfocó en los indicadores técnicos, sino en el reconocimiento de la identidad cultural como motor de desarrollo. Las comunidades de Quetena forman parte del pueblo indígena Licanantay, cuya cosmovisión ha permitido la preservación de estos paisajes de lagunas y salares durante generaciones.

Impacto en la Voz y el Liderazgo Femenino

Para las beneficiarias, el fortalecimiento de capacidades ya está generando resultados tangibles en la vida pública y organizativa de la comunidad. La Sra. Elvira Estelo, Presidenta del Centro de Madres de Quetena Chico, resaltó el impacto en la confianza y participación de las mujeres:

“Estamos muy agradecidas por el apoyo, porque algunas de nosotras ni siquiera podíamos expresarnos; ahora nos estamos capacitando en liderazgo y ya podemos participar mejor en las reuniones.”

Esta visita oficial reafirma el compromiso del Gobierno de Canadá con el fortalecimiento de los pueblos indígenas y la promoción de la igualdad de género en América Latina. Alinea International, organización implementadora del proyecto también en Perú y Ecuador, continúa impulsando este modelo para que las mujeres indígenas sean reconocidas y fortalecidas como principales custodias de los recursos naturales en la zona andina.

La protección de la biodiversidad global necesita del empoderamiento de quienes habitan y protegen los territorios más estratégicos del planeta.

The Embassy of Canada in Bolivia visited the communities of Quetena Grande and Quetena Chico, located in the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve in Potosí, Bolivia, to learn first-hand about the progress of the project, which aims to strengthen environmental governance by empowering women’s leadership.

LA PAZ, BOLIVIA – March 2026 – In the heart of the Reserve Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa (REA), at more than 4,200 meters above sea level, the “Women as Guardians of Biodiversity and Climate Resilience in Wetlands and Peatlands” is contributing to the sustainable management of high-Andean ecosystems.

From February 9 to 11, a high-level delegation from the Embassy of Canada in Bolivia, led by the Head of Cooperation, Laurie Rogers, visited the territories of Quetena Grande and Quetena Chico to gain first-hand insight into the local context and the progress of the initiative aimed at strengthening the leadership of Indigenous women living in the Los Lípez Reserve / Ramsar Site.

The visit took place in the company of the Bolivia technical team — Lic. Fernanda Velasco and Dr. Anabel Acuña — together with the Project Manager, Eng. Marcelita Ponce de León. During the visit, the three team members presented the main results, challenges, and lessons learned from the work carried out in the territory.

During the field visit to the bofedales (high-Andean wetlands), ecosystems that are critical for water regulation and climate resilience in the region, Laurie Rogers emphasized:
“We are very pleased to work with women leaders and with the entire community to protect this very important nature.”

A Development Model Based on Equity and Sustainability

Funded by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and implemented by Alinea International, the project has a five-year implementation period (2024–2029). Its central focus is not only the conservation of biodiversity in the area but also supporting the transition of women resource users into key actors in the environmental governance of their territories.

The intervention recognizes that the sustainability of the Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa — one of the region’s most fragile ecosystems — depends directly on equitable participation in decision-making processes.

A Generational and Economic Challenge in the Altiplano

Located in the municipality of San Pablo de Lípez, the project addresses a unique gender and generational dynamic. The local economy currently reflects a dual structure. On one hand, camelid livestock herding is primarily led by adult women who hold deep ancestral knowledge in llama breeding and wetland management.

On the other hand, ecotourism — with the REA being the most visited protected area by international tourists in Bolivia — is largely driven by young entrepreneurs who capitalize on the extraordinary beauty of the Andean landscape.

This project focuses not only on technical indicators but also on recognizing cultural identity as a driver of sustainable development. The communities of Quetena are part of the Indigenous Licanantay people, whose worldview has enabled the preservation of these lagoons and salt flats for generations.

Strengthening Women’s Voice and Leadership

For the women impacted by this initiative, educational efforts are already generating tangible results in community public life and organizational participation. Ms. Elvira Estelo, President of the Mothers’ Center of Quetena Chico, highlighted the impact on women’s confidence and participation:

“We are very grateful for the support, because some of us could not even express ourselves before; now we are receiving leadership training and can participate much better in meetings.”

This official visit reaffirms Global Affairs Canada’s commitment to strengthening Indigenous peoples and advancing gender equality in Latin America. Alinea International, which implements this model in Peru and Ecuador as well, continues to promote approaches that recognize and strengthen Indigenous women as primary custodians of natural resources across the Andean region.

Protecting global biodiversity requires empowering those who live in and safeguard some of the planet’s most strategic territories.