Monthly Highlights: Community Stabilization Activity Program in Colombia

This occurred through a series of virtual meetings with mayors in nine cities that have been prioritized for their central role in migration governance in Colombia. The program aimed to develop a collectively agreed upon roadmap that allows municipalities to fulfill the commitments established in the Global Compact for safe, orderly, and regular migration. The first result of the process was the inclusion of two components related to the need to formulate and implement a Comprehensive Plan for Migration Management in the Municipal Development Plans of the participating cities. USAID and IOM will continue to support local authorities in their commitment to migration governance, which will improve the living conditions of the migrant, returnee, and refugee population in the country. Nine cities have advanced in the creation of Comprehensive Migration Management Plans, marking a significant step towards addressing the needs of migrant populations in Colombia. In Arauca, the Community Stabilization Activity Program has adapted its methodologies to minimize impacts on operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program has provided technical training to community-based businesses, using personalized visits and virtual tools to continue the training sessions. Participants have been able to take part in the activities, despite the limitations on connectivity and displacement, by attending personalized visits according to preventive biosafety protocols. The program has also developed an inclusive campaign, "I take care of myself. How do you take care of yourself?", which involves the community in the dissemination of self-care and prevention messages. The campaign includes audiovisual pieces in the Wayuunaiki language that promote preventive measures and family, social, and community care strategies. The campaign has managed to impact more than 1,000 people from local communities in the municipalities of Riohacha, Maicao, Uribia, and San Juan del Cesar. The Community Stabilization Activity Program has also supported entrepreneurial projects in various territories, including Arauca, Valle del Cauca, Cundinamarca, Antioquia, and Norte de Santander. The program has pre-selected entrepreneurial projects, beneficiaries, and formulated business plans, with a total of 1099 pre-selected beneficiaries and 147 formulated business plans. The program aims to provide skills and tools to participants to contribute to their socio-economic stabilization.