Colombia

We work to strengthen the voices of structurally excluded groups—especially women and youth—in Colombia’s peacebuilding process by promoting inclusive democracies, fostering multi-actor dialogue, and advancing advocacy strategies across all territorial levels.

Through dialogue and consultation forums, NIMD and other partners have ensured diverse women’s voices are heard in the consultive period preceding the signing of Colombia’s long awaited National Action Plan (NAP) 1325. This unique and inclusive approach ensures the NAP on Women, Peace and Security reflects the priorities and perspectives of women across different territories, identities and communities, setting Colombia’s NAP process apart. Read more.

In 2023, Colombia held local elections, with new authorities taking office in 2024. NIMD Colombia worked with women-led organizations to strengthen their advocacy skills, enabling them to lobby the newly elected local authorities. Thanks to their efforts, new local development plans include provisions to promote women’s meaningful participation in peacebuilding and decision-making.

In 2020, NIMD and partners established the Observatory on Violence Against Women in Politics, a network of experts and NGOs who provide vital data and analysis. This Observatory has help to change the narrative around political violence in Colombia, creating the foundation for stronger protections. Using the Observatory’s findings, three MPs presented Bills to prevent, address and respond to such violence – an essential step toward breaking the silence and ensuring recourse for those affected. Read more.

NIMD held the first ever national deliberative democracy event in Colombia, bringing together young people from across the country. By engaging in training and dialogue, the participants created a joint declaration urging policymakers to ensure young people can take up their rightful role in politics. With 500 diverse youth voices behind it – and backed by a robust lobbying agenda – the declaration has the power to provide real insight for lawmakers into the needs, demands and challenges of Colombia’s youth. Read more.

For the past decade, Colombia has been rebuilding peace, following more than 50 years of armed conflict, widespread violence and political exclusion.

In 2016, Colombia’s National Government and the militant FARC-EP signed the Final Peace Agreement, bringing peace to this once war-torn country. It was a historic moment for the country and its people.

It is a major achievement for Colombia that peace has endured almost one decade on from the signing of the Peace Agreement. And the country has made notable strides in amplifying previously marginalized voices, with recent elections reflecting increased diversity and representation in politics.

However, the path to lasting peace is long and complex. It requires addressing the injustices of the past and creating robust processes to ensure the right structures are in place for the future. This means not only amplifying the voices of women, Indigenous communities, Afro-Colombians and other historically marginalized groups, but also institutionalizing practices that guarantee these voices remain integral to decision-making.

To ensure progress continues, moving towards a Colombia in which peace, fairness and justice are guaranteed for all people, the country must continue to address deep-rooted inequality, violence and systemic exclusion.

NIMD has worked in Colombia since 2010 to strengthen democracy and ensure fair political representation of all groups. When the Peace Agreement was signed in 2016, NIMD Colombia was officially designated as a supporter of its implementation, with a key role of ensuring all voices are heard in the journey to implement peace.

We work to tackle systemic inequalities and create opportunities for the perspectives of structurally excluded groups to shape policies.

We do this through different, inter-connected strategies. For example, we support political parties and institutions to become more inclusive, while also providing training to leverage civil society’s power to influence change. And we use technology and innovative methodologies to transform political processes; expand opportunities for participation; and uphold transparency, integrity, inclusion and accountability.

While our work focuses on women and youth, we take an inclusive approach that ensures participation in our activities is diverse and representative. We strive to create spaces where minority groups from different backgrounds and experiences are included and have the opportunity to share their perspectives, ensuring all voices are heard and valued.

We focus much of our work on the Colombian territories most deeply affected by the conflict, which also have some of the lowest rates of political participation of under-represented groups.

Through all of this, we hope to support Colombia in its progress to build a more inclusive and equitable future, laying the foundation for lasting peace where historically silenced voices are heard.