Seventeenth Quarterly Status Report: INCLUSION FOR PEACE ACTIVITY (IPA)

The program aims to promote peace and inclusion in Colombia, particularly in regions affected by conflict. The IPA is implemented in 27 territorial entities, with a focus on enhancing the capacity of the Government of Colombia (GOC) to respond to the differential needs of ethnic communities. The program has made significant progress in strengthening the capacity of the GOC to respond to ethnic communities' needs. The ICAE sub-activity (IPA-1293) aimed at improving the capacity of the GOC to respond and attend to ethnic communities' needs has been successfully concluded. All 27 participating territorial entities have improved their ICAE scores, with significant improvements made by the Departamental Government of Bolívar and the Mayors' Offices of Puerto Tejada, Guapi, Bagadó, Bogotá, and Medellín. Training for GOC staff has continued, with the diploma on inter-ethnic conflict resolution (IPA-1171) carried out this quarter. A total of 64 GOC officials (36 women) participated in the training, which has provided them with a wider array of useful tools and knowledge in the management of ethnic conflicts and territorial peace. In addition to strengthening the capacity of the GOC, the IPA has also focused on community and civil society strengthening. Last quarter, the program supported the development of community action plans (CAPs) in 15 municipalities, which aimed to promote peace and inclusion at the local level. The CAPs were developed through a participatory process involving community members, local authorities, and civil society organizations. The IPA has also made progress in promoting economic opportunities for ethnic communities. The program has supported the development of economic initiatives, such as the establishment of a cooperative for Afro-Colombian women in the municipality of Tumaco. The cooperative has provided training and support to its members, enabling them to access markets and improve their economic well-being. Overall, the IPA has made significant progress in promoting peace and inclusion in Colombia, particularly in regions affected by conflict. The program has strengthened the capacity of the GOC to respond to ethnic communities' needs, promoted community and civil society strengthening, and supported economic opportunities for ethnic communities. The IPA has also faced challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected the program's implementation. However, the program has adapted to these challenges and continues to make progress in promoting peace and inclusion in Colombia. The IPA is implemented in partnership with various organizations, including the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of the Interior, Prosperidad Social, the Public Employment Service, and the National Indigenous Organization of Colombia. The program has a total budget of USD 50,000,000, with a total cash disbursement of USD 42,179,016.96. The IPA's progress is monitored and evaluated through a range of indicators, including the ICAE score, the number of community action plans developed, and the number of economic initiatives supported. The program's results are reported quarterly to USAID, with a final report due at the end of the program in June 2021.