Country
Colombia

Local Project Partner
Fundación Grupo Social (FGS), Asomicrofinanzas

German Project Partner
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Donor
EU

Duration
01.12.2024 - 31.05.2028

In the two Colombian regions of Algeciras (coffee region) and Buriticá (mining region), there is a low level of education, few employment opportunities for young people and women, a high degree of informality and low social participation. Furthermore, there is little environmental awareness, which leads to increasing pollution and destruction of natural resources. Algeciras is also a conflict-prone area with challenges in the legalisation of rural property. In addition, access to credit for vulnerable population groups such as women, young people, farmers, indigenous peoples, displaced persons and returnees is still limited and hinders the development of this population group. The lack of tools to adequately analyse risks and the lack of effective financing on affordable terms mean that progress in improving the current situation is slow.

The overall project objective is to strengthen the role and actions of civil society organisations (CSOs) as actors that contribute to sustainable territorial development in Colombia based on digital transformation and just transitions, reconciliation and reparation, and the promotion and protection of human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law. The first development objective is to contribute to the formalisation of work, the transition from conventional to green employment and just transitions through innovative solutions. The second development objective aims to ensure a better quality of life for vulnerable groups through the development of innovative financing models with the participation of civil society organisations.

Tasks
Main activities Outcome 1:

• Analyse competencies and needs of relevant CSOs.
• Accompany the design and implementation of the acceleration and scaling-up programme with environmental, productivity and innovation perspectives.
• Conduct Training of Trainers (CSOs with capacities to transfer knowledge).
• Link qualification and strengthening programmes for women and young people.
• Promote the construction of a network of young people and women entrepreneurs.
• Raise awareness among families and local actors on the importance of school education.
• Training in the creation of formal jobs and green jobs.
• Accompany the transformation of conventional jobs into green jobs.

Main activities Outcome 2:

• Design and pilot the microcredit bureau with at least one financial institution using information from Asomicrofinance affiliated institutions, utility companies, telecommunication companies and other alternative data that is not currently available in traditional bureaus.
• Evaluate the functioning of the microcredit bureau through the impact it generates in terms of increasing access to credit for the vulnerable population within the Popular Economy.
• Develop green financial products with their respective characteristics and conditions in the field of energy efficiency and small-scale renewable energy. Including a destination assurance (use of funds) and an impact analysis.