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USAID/Colombia 

Operational Plan 

FY 2006 

June 15, 2006 
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Please Note: 

The attached RESULTS INFORMATION is from the FY 2006 Operational Plan and was assembled 

and analyzed by the country or USAID operating unit identified on the cover page. 

The Operational Plan is a "pre-decisional" USAID document and does not reflect results stemming 

from formal USAID review(s) of this document. 

Related document information can be obtained from: 

USAID Development Experience Clearinghouse 

8403 Colesville Road, Suite 210 

Silver Spring, MD 20910 

Telephone: (301) 562-0641 

Fax: (301) 588-7787 

Email: docorder@dec.cdie.org 

Internet: http://www.dec.org 

Portions released on or after July 1, 2006 
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Program Performance Summary FY 2005: Although progress has been made since President Alvaro 

Uribe Velez came to power in 2002, Colombia continues to face an array of inter-connected and complex 

challenges to its prosperity and stability. These include a decades-long internal conflict and violence 

conducted by illegal armed groups that is fueled by the production of illicit drugs; forced displacement of 

non-combatants; a lack of state presence throughout large sections of the countryside; significant 

disparities in income and opportunity (e.g. among Colombia’s large Afro-Colombian population); weak 

democratic and civil society institutions and corruption. USAID seeks to address these deficiencies 

through its primary goal of helping reduce the production of illicit drugs and promoting peace. USAID, 

along with the national and local governments and other donors, is improving democratic-based 

institutions and policies promoting adherence to human rights; providing legal and sustainable alternative 

development opportunities; promoting economic and trade capacity-building policy reforms and supplying 

humanitarian assistance to citizens displaced by conflict and violence. Despite constraints, including poor 

security, USAID’s programs performed well in FY 2005 and met or exceeded targets for most indicators. 

Under the Uribe Administration, the Government of Colombia through its Democratic Security Program 

has made great strides in re-establishing state control throughout much of the country. The Colombian 

Government has also made advances in revitalizing the economy and combating corruption. In 2004, the 

Colombian economy grew at roughly 4%. Colombia's ranking (55) in the 2005 Transparency International 

Corruption index improved slightly from the prior year (60) and represents a gradually improving trend. 

Similarly, between 2003 and 2004, the country's human rights record improved significantly as the 

national homicide rate fell by 15%, and kidnappings fell by 35%. On average, terrorist attacks were down 

by more than 44% in 2004 (50% in some places) and by 57% for the 2002 to 2004 period. Also 

encouraging is the ongoing demobilization of thousands of paramilitary combatants. 

Despite these noteworthy accomplishments, Colombia continues to face serious challenges. The nation 

is at a historic crossroads in terms of the potential for peace and positive development. Although 

Colombia's illegal armed groups have been weakened, and a demobilization process has begun, their 

presence and ability to exert violence against the state and civilians continues. Instability, insecurity, 

conflict and illicit crop cultivation all contribute to forced displacement of non-combatants, human rights 

abuses, diminished investment and disrupted markets. Coca and poppy cultivation has sprouted in new 

regions, democratic institutions - especially in rural areas - remain fragile, and thousands of rural 

Colombians continue to abandon their homes to escape guerilla and paramilitary violence. Numerous 

rural municipalities remain isolated by poor infrastructure and fragile institutions which only serves to 

exacerbate the dilemma. Further, Colombia’s demobilization and reintegration process for paramilitary 

forces is expected to be completed by early 2006. Over 13,000 troops have "collectively" demobilized with 

the remainder (an estimated 7,000) expected to disband in early 2006. Besides the group 

demobilizations, over 8,000 individuals from the major illegal armed groups have laid down arms in 

response to the Colombian Government’s desertion campaign. While a positive step towards peace, the 

successful reintegration of these ex-combatants and the reconciliation process will strain the public and 

private sectors in both tangible and intangible ways. Additionally, one of Colombia's major guerilla groups 

has made overtures to the Colombian Government which could result in even more demobilized 

individuals entering the reintegration process. 

Colombia continues to face severe income disparities, poverty, and inadequate social services, especially 

among the country’s Afro-Colombians, which make up some 26% of the population. For many 

Colombians, poverty remains a serious scourge and affects some 52% of the population. At an estimated 

rate of 80%, rural poverty is especially acute; the rate of extreme poverty is estimated at 42%. World 

Bank studies show that Colombia will require sustained economic growth of 4% through 2010 to reduce 

poverty to the levels recorded in 1995. This is especially challenging considering that the Uribe 

government has tightened fiscal spending and that foreign direct investment in 2003 fell to just under $2 

billion -- a decline of about one-half in relation to the mid-1990s. 

The USAID program and key achievements for FY 2005: Since USAID initiated support for Plan Colombia 

in 2000 significant advances have been made in expanding state presence, strengthening Colombian 

democracy, creating licit economic opportunities and in providing assistance to the internally displaced. 

However, given the magnitude and complexity of challenges, much remains to be done. For FY 2006, 
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USAID is consolidating existing programs to accommodate the Mission’s revised strategy, which runs 

through FY 2008. The Mission is integrating and focusing regional activities such as local governance 

strengthening, support to the internally displaced and alternative development projects into targeted areas 

within Colombia that most demonstrate economic potential, political will and capacity and that are 

affected by or vulnerable to illicit crop cultivation and violence. USAID is developing and implementing 

national-level economic policy and trade enhancement programs and deepening and broadening national 

democracy programs, namely justice system reform, human rights and anticorruption. Furthermore, 

USAID/Colombia will be engaging in a new program to assist in the demobilization and reintegration of 

ex-combatants. 

The Mission obtained excellent results during FY 2005, in many instances surpassing established targets 

in each of its three program areas. With adequate funding, USAID/Colombia believes it can maintain its 

high level of productivity while responding to demands of the program. 

The Democracy program seeks to fortify Latin America's oldest democracy through a multi-faceted 

strategy to protect and promote human rights, while preventing abuses; modernize the criminal justice 

system; strengthen local governance; increase government transparency and accountability; and support 

public and private sector peace initiatives. Since the inception of the program in FY 2000, USAID has 

made considerable advances in all five program areas. For example, USAID assistance was instrumental 

in the creation of an early warning system to prevent massacres and forced displacement. In FY 2005, 

68 risk assessments and six alerts were issued through this system. This system is saving lives: in FY 

2005 the early warning system is estimated to have prevented some 79% of potential massacres and 

17% of forced displacements that could have otherwise occurred had the system not been in place. 

USAID has set up justice houses throughout the country to facilitate legal services for the poor and the 

marginalized; the 40th was established this past year. These justice houses have set an example: 

national and decentralized ownership is increasingly manifested as major cities step forward and commit 

their own resources to replicate this successful model. For example, Bogota is independently financing 

construction of up to 20 new justice houses over the next five years. USAID has helped establish internal 

control standards in 26 key government agencies to promote transparency and accountability; the model 

is now mandatory for all GOC entities in the executive branch. Equally important, the needs of 

Colombia's large Afro-Colombian and indigenous populations are now being addressed in a more 

concerted fashion with services specifically geared in some justice houses to meeting the needs of these 

groups. Local governance activities, such as support for the Third Annual Afro-Colombian Institutional 

Strengthening Conference attended by hundreds of mayors and representative of NGOs, also increased 

focus on Afro-Colombian organizations. 

The Alternative Development program focuses on reducing the production of illicit crops by encouraging 

small farmers and others involved in or affected by illicit activities to join the legal economy through 

alternative crops, commercial forestry, infrastructure projects and strengthened local governance. In 

2005, USAID/Colombia exceeded its target for the number of hectares of licit crops supported under the 

program: the Mission achieved 110% of the planned target of 19,270 (or 47,600 acres). More than 

320,000 people (or 64,000 families) benefited from USAID/Colombia’s Alternative Development program. 

Individual projects funded under the agribusiness partnership program generally leverage eight to ten 

dollars in private investment for every dollar of USAID resources. During FY 2005, local government and 

municipal development activities continued providing comprehensive training, technical assistance and 

co-financing of 78 new community infrastructure projects for a cumulative total of 263 municipalities. 

Under the forestry program, USAID helped develop a new forestry law for Colombia, and the area of 

commercial forests under approved management plans reached approximately 81,000 hectares. The two 

year old enterprise development program has been working with more than 800 small and medium 

businesses and is on track to generate a total of 12,000 new jobs by end of FY 2006. 

To complement the Alternative Development program, USAID is expanding its initiatives to bolster 

Colombia's trade capacity under the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA), as 

well as to allow Colombia to effectively implement and take full advantage of the income, employment, 

and export opportunities associated with the impending Andean Free Trade Agreement with the U.S. In 

this regard, USAID is working strategically with the GOC to put in place the policy and institutional 
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preconditions necessary to place Colombia on a sustainable, long-term growth path while simultaneously 

working intensively with Colombia’s vibrant private sector to maximize private sector investment and 

employment creation. USAID conducted more than 60 civil society outreach seminars related to FTA 

negotiations which in turn helped create 27 local permanent self-financed committees that focus on 

internal policy reforms. Further, Colombia’s Minister of Finance endorsed USAID’s proposal for the 

development of a comprehensive tax policy reform, which the President intends to roll out in 2006, as well 

as a customs reform initiative in FY 2005. 

The Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) program works in close coordination with the Government of 

Colombia and other international and local organizations to relieve the plight of over two million internally 

displaced persons who are victims of the country’s armed conflict. The existing demand for social 

services for this group continues to exceed available resources that are provided by the GOC; the crisis 

still requires strong USAID involvement. USAID supports various activities, including: health care, 

education, income generation, housing, small community infrastructure and institutional strengthening. In 

FY 2005, USAID's IDP program exceeded its annual target of benefited persons by more than 200%, 

reaching 584,046 people. The program also helped to reintegrate former child combatants into 

mainstream society (in FY 2005, 556 child ex-combatants participated in the program). 

In addition to child ex-combatants, USAID also provided technical assistance to strengthen the design 

and verification process of the GOC’s reincorporation program for former illegal adult combatants. If the 

Colombian government is able to sign and implement wide-reaching demobilization agreements with 

irregular armed groups besides the Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (AUC) paramilitaries, then a 

demobilization and reincorporation program should potentially provide assistance to approximately 

40,000 combatants. Momentum for collective demobilization increased in FY 2005; over 13,000 

paramilitary members demobilized and some 7,000 more are expected to lay down arms by early 2006. 

As a result, and with the resolution of U.S. Government policy and legal issues, USAID plans to greatly 

increase support for demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants, including children, in FY 2006 

through a new Strategic Objective. 

USAID/Colombia's Integrated Programming Approach: Under the revised strategy, the Mission portfolio 

presents a strategic set of interrelated and mutually reinforcing programs and activities that will help 

remedy, on a sustainable basis, many of the root causes of Colombia’s problems. USAID’s programs are 

designed to help strengthen the Colombian state, reinvigorate the economy, and build social capital in 

order to enhance overall prospects for achieving greater stability in a country and region vital to U.S. 

national interests and security. Complementing the three primary strategic objectives mentioned above, 

the Mission’s cross-cutting themes include: support to civil society, support to Afro-Colombians, anticorruption and “Colombianization” of our assistance programs (that is, increasing the capacity of 

Colombian governmental and non-governmental organizations to address social and economic issues). 

All programs under each strategic objective are designed to be complementary and create greater 

program synergies. For example, programmatic support to vulnerable communities, addressed under the 

alternative development portfolio, complements direct assistance efforts under the displaced persons 

portfolio. Similarly, justice reform efforts under our democracy portfolio are designed to complement legal 

issues surrounding demobilization initiatives. The alternative development programs further complement 

the Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration program, which aims to reintegrate ex-combatants 

into mainstream Colombian society. Furthermore, the Mission’s economic policy and trade capacitybuilding efforts are specifically designed to influence the enabling environment that will allow the products 

generated through the alternative development programs to better compete in national and global 

markets. 

Challenges/Effectiveness: USAID/Colombia has faced a challenging year on several fronts which are 

cause for both concern and optimism. The Colombian Government continues to face the ongoing internal 

conflict and violence head-on. However despite robust efforts, conflict continues to affect the efficacy of 

USAID/Colombia’s initiatives. For example, recent attacks by illegal armed groups in the Putumayo 

region of southern Colombia disrupted power as well as production and supply chains of the Mission's 

alternative development programs there. Such attacks further strain the government’s and the Mission’s 

efforts to support those displaced by violence and intimidation. The upcoming national elections - 
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controversial for allowing President Uribe to run for a second term - may trigger additional violence in the 

coming year. In addition, the Colombian Government is proceeding with its demobilization program, 

which remains under-funded and thus at risk. Despite these challenges, the Colombian Government 

continues to pursue a peaceful solution to the conflict. The peace talks remain vulnerable to the threat of 

ongoing violence, the elections process and their outcome and the ultimate success of the demobilization 

and reintegration process. Colombia continues to confront the problem of high rates of poverty and 

unequal distribution of income. The Colombian Government, however, remains engaged in talks for the 

Free Trade Agreement which, once ratified and implemented, will help increase economic opportunities 

and competitiveness for all Colombians, including the poor. Finally, at the Mission level USAID/Colombia 

faced internal operational challenges in FY05. The Mission enters a revised phase of its strategy for 

FY06 and during the previous year the Mission faced a number of transition issues. With the exception of 

several national-level programs, USAID is now focusing its resources in six key regions of Colombia to 

better leverage results and program synergies. This geographic concentration has presented new 

challenges to the Mission. Finally, USAID/Colombia and the GOC are facing political pressure to deviate 

from the agreed-upon regions and the shift to larger implementation mechanisms has added to the 

Mission’s workload. 

Gender: For USAID/Colombia, gender remains a critical lens through which programs and activities are 

designed, targeted and implemented. The internal conflict and violence that plagues Colombia has led to 

the creation of many single-parent households largely headed by women. Causes include loss of a 

spouse through conflict or families split apart as they flee violence. Such conditions create both 

economic and social challenges for Colombia, including the added challenge of women facing the 

traditional cultural norm of being considered second-class citizens in a male-dominated society. The 

Mission is therefore responding to the changing traditional gender roles in the displacement experience. 

For example, when families are displaced to the large cities it is the woman that often becomes the 

breadwinner, which affects the traditional family dynamics of the rural family structure. Toward that end, 

the Mission works equally with both the men and women on gender issues to address the shifting social 

dynamics. Given these evolving social changes, beginning in FY 2006 USAID/Colombia is revising 

methods to provide disaggregated data that better measures gender differences across the entire 

program portfolio. 
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FY 2006 Program 

SO: 514-007 Strengthened Democratic Governance 

Promote And Support Anti-Corruption Reforms 

Promote and Support Anti-Corruption Reforms ($3,100,000 ACI). USAID is providing technical 

assistance to 80 GOC entities to strengthen internal controls, implement ethics management standards, 

and develop information and communication systems. Approximately 265 citizen oversight groups are 

being strengthened through training, and financial and technical assistance. USAID supports a broadbased representational, participatory and accountability program, including strengthening citizen oversight 

strategies with private sector contributions. Prime implementer: Casals & Associates. 

Protect Human Rights 

Protect Human Rights ($8,700,000 ACI). USAID is providing technical assistance to strengthen human 

rights by supporting state and civil society organizations. Funds are being used to support efforts to 

prevent human rights abuses, such as the Early Warning System; enhance protection provided by civil 

society and the government entities; and strengthen human rights public policy implementation and civil 

society organizations. In addition, USAID continues to implement several of the United Nations High 

Commissioner for Human Rights recommendations. Prime implementer: Management Sciences for 

Development and others to be determined through a competitive process. 

Strengthen Democratic Political Parties 

Strengthen Democratic Political Parties ($1,600,000 ACI). USAID is providing technical assistance to 

increase citizen participation by strengthening political processes and political reform efforts in Colombia. 

Activities focus on increasing responsiveness to previously disenfranchised constituent groups and 

strengthening of internal transparency and accountability practices. Technical assistance will also be 

provided to assist citizens groups on voter education and promote transparent democratic processes. 

Prime implementers: National Democratic Institute and International Republican Institute. 

Strengthen the Justice Sector 

Strengthen the Justice Sector ($6,100,000 ACI). USAID is providing technical assistance and training to 

implement the new Criminal Procedures Reform; strengthen court administration and management; 

increase access to justice (especially for underserved rural, conflict affected, indigent and/or ethnically 

marginalized populations); and enhance civil society's roles in justice reform and modernization. 

Technical assistance is also helping institutionalize training units for the Public Defenders and Office of 

the Inspector General. Funds are being used to establish additional justice houses and to refurbish and 

equip courts, public defense offices, and Judicial Service Centers that conform to the requirements of the 

new accusatory system. Prime implementer: Checchi & Company, DPK Consulting, and others to be 

determined through a competitive process. 

FY 2007 Program 

SO: 514-007 Strengthened Democratic Governance 

Promote And Support Anti-Corruption Reforms 

Promote And Support Anti-Corruption Reforms ($4,200,000 ACI). USAID plans to promote participatory, 

representative and transparent governance by supporting the GOC and civil society in implementing the 

National Anti-Corruption Policy launched in 2005. Technical assistance will be provided to strengthen 

civil society's capabilities regarding oversight of public spending and promoting participatory budgeting at 

regional levels. Prime implementers: to be determined. 
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Protect Human Rights 

Protect Human Rights ($8,800,000 ACI). USAID will continue strengthening fundamental human rights in 

Colombia, focusing on the most conflictive regions. Constructive policy dialogue between the GOC and 

civil society in the areas of prevention, protection and response is a high priority. Technical assistance is 

planned to be used to strengthen prevention mechanisms, such as the Early Warning System; increase 

protection by supporting the Ministry of Interior and Justice protection and communities-at-risk projects; 

and strengthen state entities dealing with human rights public policy implementation and civil society 

organizations. Funds will also be used to provide technical assistance to strengthen civil society 

organizations' capacity to ensure the GOC adheres to minimum human rights standards and increases 

protection of highly vulnerable groups. Prime implementers: to be determined. 

Strengthen Democratic Political Parties 

Strengthen Democratic Political Parties ($1,600,000 ACI). USAID seeks to strengthen the political party 

system from across the political spectrum in Colombia to ensure democratic, representative and 

responsive organizations. Technical assistance is planned to strengthen political party's ability to improve 

two-way constituent communication and internal organization and improve outreach to marginalized 

groups strengthening civic participation. Technical assistance is also planned to strengthen local party 

structures, with particular focus on the social and political representation of Afro-Colombian and other 

ethnic communities. Prime implementers: to be determined. 

Strengthen the Justice Sector 

Strengthen the Justice Sector ($5,100,000 ACI). USAID plans to continue assisting in justice 

modernization and oral accusatory system reform in jurisdictions such as Medellin, Cali, Buga and 

outlying areas. Technical assistance will be used to expand and strengthen provision of justice services 

through additional Justice House and conciliation programs and by training justice sector actors such as 

public defenders and personnel within the Office of the Inspector General. USAID also plans to improve 

civil society capacity in monitoring, assessing, advocating, and mobilizing justice reform initiatives, as well 

as promoting and providing justice reform and modernization services. Efforts will especially focus on 

geographically isolated, or economically and socially disenfranchised or marginalized populations. Prime 

implementers: to be determined. 

FY 2006 Program 

SO: 514-008 Expanded Economic and Social Alternatives to Illicit Crop Production 

Develop & Expand Alternative Development 

Develop & Expand Alternative Development ($36,000,000 ACI): USAID is providing technical assistance, 

training and logistical support through an innovative program to combat illicit crops by exploring economic 

opportunities and social alternatives while strengthening municipalities and implementing community 

development activities in selected areas. Working with farmer groups, non-governmental organizations, 

local business associations, and other organizations, USAID will promote production of licit crops on 

approximately 20,000 hectares to generate alternative employment and increase licit agricultural outputs 

and exports. An estimated 15,000 families are expected to benefit under this program that promotes 

agricultural and non-agricultural economic alternatives. In addition, USAID is assisting nonagricultural 

small and medium-sized private enterprises to generate employment. Prime contractors include: 

Associates in Rural Development (ARD), Carana, Panamerican Development Foundation (PADF), 

Agricultural Cooperative Development International/Volunteers for Overseas Cooperative Assistance 

(ACDI/VOCA), Land O’Lakes and Chemonics. 
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Improve Economic Policy and the Business Environment 

Improve Economic Policy and the Business Environment ($2,000,000 ACI): Technical assistance is 

being promoting critical policy and regulatory reforms needed to enhance the efficiency of financial 

markets and promote the development of innovative financial instruments. Over $20 million of the small 

and medium-sized private enterprise capital fund previously leveraged from private sector institutions will 

be invested to promote sustainable extension of competitive financial services to small businesses and 

expand licit economic opportunities. Prime implementer: Small Enterprise Assistance Fund. 

Improve Private Sector Competitiveness 

Improve Private Sector Competitiveness ($22,308,000 ACI): USAID is providing technical assistance and 

training to mobilize private sector investment in agribusiness, forestry, and small and medium enterprise 

in economic growth regions. Investments are providing increased employment and farmer income for a 

largely rural-based labor force in areas certified to be free of illicit crops. USAID will work with national 

level institutions in the public and private sectors to improve the investment environment, including trade 

capacity building and policy reform. Prime contractor: ARD. 

Improve Sustainable Management Of Natural Resources & Biodiversity 

Improve Sustainable Management of Natural Resources & Biodiversity ($2,100,000 ACI): USAID will 

provide technical assistance and training to promote sustainable agroforestry in or near national parks to 

improve the overall management of the Colombian park system. Technical assistance is helping to 

improve management of critical buffer zones around national parks in order to sustain the rich biodiversity 

of the country and to thwart the introduction of illicit crops in these areas. USAID supports nongovernmental organizations working with indigenous communities to strengthen local governance and 

preserve traditional culture. Prime implementers: Amazon Conservation Team, Chemonics, and the U.S. 

Department of Interior Park Service. 

Support Democratic Local Government & Decentralization 

Support Democratic Local Government & Decentralization ($7,400,000 ACI): USAID will provide 

technical assistance for local governance activities in 50 municipalities to improve services and 

strengthen their fiscal soundness. USAID is implementing local infrastructure projects such as road 

improvements, schools, sewage and water systems. Technical assistance will engage communities in 

collective decision-making and actions to eliminate illicit crop production and narco-trafficking activities. 

Citizen oversight committees are being formed in approximately 30 participating municipalities. Prime 

contractor is ARD. 

FY 2007 Program 

SO: 514-008 Expanded Economic and Social Alternatives to Illicit Crop Production 

Develop & Expand Alternative Development 

Develop & Expand Alternative Development ($35,050,000 ACI): USAID will continue activities that 

expand economic and social alternatives to illicit drug crop production in selected municipalities. The 

program will continue to emphasize private sector participation, sustainability and increased Colombian 

ownership. Activities will include community level income generation efforts directly linked to the 

elimination of illicit crops, small scale socio-economic infrastructure investments. USAID will also provide 

technical assistance and training to promote sustainable agroforestry in or near national parks to improve 

the overall management of the Colombian park system. Technical assistance is helping to improve 

management of critical buffer zones around national parks in order to sustain the rich biodiversity of the 
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country and to thwart the introduction of illicit crops in these areas. USAID supports non-governmental 

organizations working with indigenous communities to strengthen local governance and preserve 

traditional culture. Prime implementers: ARD, Amazon Conservation Team, and the U.S. Department of 

Interior Park Service. 

Improve Economic Policy and the Business Environment 

Improve Economic Policy and the Business Environment ($ 6,635,000 ACI): Technical assistance will 

continue to promote critical policy and regulatory reforms needed to enhance the efficiency of financial 

markets and promote the development of innovative financial instruments. USAID will also continue to 

provide technical assistance and training to mobilize private sector investment in agribusiness, forestry, 

and small and medium enterprise in economic growth regions. Investments will provide increased 

employment and farmer income for a largely rural-based labor force in areas certified to be free of illicit 

crops. USAID will work with national level institutions in the public and private sectors to improve the 

investment environment, including trade capacity building and policy reform. Prime contractor: ARD. 

Support Democratic Local Government & Decentralization 

Support Democratic Local Government & Decentralization ($7,400,000 ACI): USAID will continue to 

provide technical assistance for local governance activities in municipalities to improve services and 

strengthen their fiscal soundness. USAID will continue implementing local infrastructure projects such as 

road improvements, schools, sewage and water systems. Technical assistance will engage communities 

in collective decision-making and actions to eliminate illicit crop production and narco-trafficking activities. 

Citizen oversight committees will also continue to be formed in participating municipalities. Prime 

contractor is ARD. 

FY 2006 Program 

SO: 514-009 Successful Reintegration of IDPs and Support to Other Vulnerable Groups 

Support Populations at Risk 

Support Populations at Risk ($31,977,000 ACI). USAID is providing technical assistance, training, and 

other resources to assist Colombia’s IDP population estimated at up to 3.4 million people and other 

vulnerable groups who have been affected by years of civil strife and conflict caused by social inequities 

and the production and trafficking of illegal drugs. This assistance is enabling IDPs and the communities 

in which they reside to receive psycho-social support to cope with the traumas associated with 

displacement and assist in addressing land tenure issues. Assistance is being provided to ensure the 

education of 4,500 children and provide access to health care for 7,800 people. In FY 2006, some 1,800 

full time jobs are expected to be created and 2,200 vocational training students are expected to graduate 

from USAID assistance. An assessment of the status of IDPs living in the 111 target municipalities is 

being conducted in order to better target future assistance and to ensure that basic needs, such as 

housing, health care, and education, are met for this vulnerable population. 

USAID financial assistance and P.L. 480 Title II commodities help support World Food Program (WFP) 

activities in Colombia. WFP provides targeted food rations to protect and stabilize the livelihoods of an 

estimated 499,000 displaced and other vulnerable persons, and enhance resistance to nutritional shocks 

experienced by IDPs as they make the initial transition to greater self-sufficiency during the first six 

months of displacement. The program also enables schools in receptor communities to provide for the 

nutritional needs of displaced and vulnerable school children. 

Technical assistance is being provided to strengthen the management systems of Colombian private and 

public sector institutions to enable these organizations to provide effective support to IDPs and facilitate 

their reintegration into Colombian society. USAID is strengthening nongovernmental organizations and 

community groups working with internally displaced persons by training their employees and providing 
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technical assistance to strengthen their information technology systems, financial systems, reporting and 

record keeping systems, and personnel systems. 

 

At the national level, USAID provides GOC agencies with technical assistance to support IDP policy 

development, program design, and budget requests that will help them to apply key policies more 

effectively at all institutional levels. At the departmental level, USAID assists governors in developing 

departmental guidelines that support national policies. At the municipal level, USAID is working with local 

Committees for Attention to IDPs, helping them identify priorities and resources which they can apply at 

local and departmental levels. USAID is supporting institutional strengthening measures such as land 

titling, tax registry improvement, and other initiatives that directly improve the ability of local government 

to provide services to IDPs and other vulnerable populations. 

Principal grantees and implementing partners: International Organization for Migration, the Pan American 

Development Foundation, a variety of other local and international non-governmental organizations, and 

numerous public-sector entities. 

FY 2007 Program 

SO: 514-009 Successful Reintegration of IDPs and Support to Other Vulnerable Groups 

Support Populations at Risk 

Support Populations at Risk ($32,392,000 ACI). USAID will continue to strengthen national and local 

capacity to provide an integrated package of services to IDPs and other vulnerable groups. By 

strengthening public and private Colombian humanitarian assistance institutions, USAID will help IDPs 

gain access to job training and placement, health care and counseling, improved nutrition, shelter and 

housing, income generation, and educational opportunities. Principal grantees will include the Pan 

American Development Foundation, the International Organization for Migration, the GOC’s Presidential 

Agency for Social Action and International Cooperation, and a number of local and national nongovernmental organizations. 

FY 2006 Program 

SO: 514-XXX Improved Environment for Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration 

Mitigate Conflict and Support Peace 

Mitigate Conflict and Support Peace ($635,000 ACI). USAID is providing technical assistance and 

administrative and logistical support to the newly created National Reconciliation and Reparations 

Commission (NRRC) directed by the Office of the Vice President. USAID assistance is building the 

capacity of the NRRC to promote reconciliation and delivery of reparations to victims through: the 

development of the legal and regulatory framework and implementation systems of the NRRC; the 

development and effective management of the Victims' Reparations Fund for collective and individual 

reparation; the development and effective management of a victims and reparation assets database for 

the administration, monitoring and reporting of reparations; and effective and efficient asset identification 

and recovery for use in victims' reparations. Principal grantee: to be determined. 

Strengthen Public Sector Executive Function 

Strengthen Public Sector Executive Function ($3,500,000 ACI). USAID is providing financial assistance 

to the Organization of American States for the verification of the disarmament, demobilization and 

reincorporation of all demobilizing members of illegal armed groups to provide credible monitoring and 

feedback to strengthen accountability of the GOC programs. USAID funded technical assistance is 

strengthening the capacity of the GOC's Office of the High Commissioner for Peace to negotiate and 

oversee the disarmament and demobilization of the Colombian illegal armed groups. USAID is providing 

the Ministry of Interior and Justice’s Reintegration Program with technical assistance and training to: 

consolidate and expand the tracking, monitoring and evaluation system; expand the national network of 
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Reference and Opportunities Centers where ex-combatants receive guidance, orientation and referral 

services that promote reintegration; strengthen the collaboration between municipal and departmental 

governments and the reintegration program to ensure timely responses for access to health, education, 

and other reintegration benefits, and to promote the development and implementation of regional 

reintegration programs; and develop communication and public information activities to promote program 

transparency and accountability as well as public support for the program. USAID provides financial and 

technical support to the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare for the implementation of programs to 

reintegrate child ex-combatants and prevent the recruitment of high-risk children and youth by illegal 

armed groups. During FY 2006, at least 350 children (i.e., up to 18 years) will be assisted. Principal 

grantee: to be determined. 

Strengthen the Justice Sector 

Strengthen the Justice Sector ($500,000 ACI). USAID is providing technical assistance, logistical support 

and/or training to prosecutors, judges, public defenders, investigators and victims’ advocates to ensure 

proper enforcement of the legal processes for ex-combatants within the legal framework for 

demobilization and reintegration. This support is being coordinated with the U.S. Department of Justice’s 

justice sector reform efforts in Colombia. Additionally, the GOC's Inspector General and Ombudsman 

offices are being strengthened to perform an effective oversight role in the demobilization and 

reintegration process. Principal grantee: to be determined. 

Support Populations at Risk 

Support Populations at Risk ($4,000,000 ACI). USAID is supporting activities aimed at the successful 

and sustainable reintegration of ex-combatants from the demobilized illegal armed groups. Technical 

assistance is being provided: to strengthen delivery of educational, vocational and social development 

training as well as job placement, job creation and income generation initiatives by public/private sectors 

and non-governmental organizations in support of the reintegration process of demobilized combatants; 

for effective outreach and alliance building with the private sector to open access to private sector 

opportunities for ex-combatants; to increase access to income generating opportunities for the 

demobilized and their receptor communities through the development and implementation of regional 

reintegration by municipal and regional governments; and for a community outreach program for both 

demobilized persons and the communities into which they are reintegrating that will assist community 

residents in better understanding the reintegration program and address concerns and questions about 

the process. Principal grantee: to be determined. 

FY 2007 Program 

SO: 514-XXX Improved Environment for Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration 

Mitigate Conflict and Support Peace 

Mitigate Conflict and Support Peace ($500,000): USAID will continue to provide technical assistance and 

administrative and logistical support to the newly created National Reconciliation and Reparations 

Commission (NRRC). This assistance will continue to build the capacity of the NRRC to promote 

reconciliation and delivery of reparations to victims through: the development of the legal and regulatory 

framework and implementation; the development and effective management of the Victims' Reparations 

Fund for collective and individual reparation; the development and effective management of a victims and 

reparation assets database for the administration, monitoring and reporting of reparations; and effective 

and efficient asset identification and recovery for use in victims' reparations 

Strengthen Public Sector Executive Function 

Strengthen Public Sector Executive Function ($3,716,000 ACI). USAID will continue to provide financial 
13

assistance to the Organization of American States for the verification of the disarmament, demobilization 

and reincorporation of all demobilizing members of illegal armed groups to provide credible monitoring 

and feedback to strengthen accountability of the GOC programs. USAID funded technical assistance will 

continue to strengthen the capacity of the GOC's Office of the High Commissioner for Peace to negotiate 

and oversee the disarmament and demobilization of the Colombian illegal armed groups. USAID will 

continue to provide the Ministry of Interior and Justice’s Reintegration Program with technical assistance 

and training to: consolidate and expand the tracking, monitoring and evaluation system; expand the 

national network of Reference and Opportunities Centers where ex-combatants receive guidance, 

orientation and referral services that promote reintegration; strengthen the collaboration between 

municipal and departmental governments and the reintegration program to ensure timely responses for 

access to health, education, and other reintegration benefits, and to promote the development and 

implementation of regional reintegration programs; and develop communication and public information 

activities to promote program transparency and accountability as well as public support for the program. 

USAID will continue to support the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare with the implementation of 

programs to reintegrate child ex-combatants and prevent the recruitment of high-risk children and youth 

by illegal armed groups. During FY 2007, at least 350 children (up to 18 years of age) will be assisted. 

Strengthen the Justice Sector 

Strengthen the Justice Sector ($500,000 ACI): USAID will continue to provide technical assistance, 

logistical support and/or training to prosecutors, judges, public defenders, investigators and victims’ 

advocates to ensure proper enforcement of the legal processes for ex-combatants within the legal 

framework for demobilization and reintegration, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Justice’s 

justice sector reform efforts in Colombia. 

Support Populations at Risk 

Support Populations at Risk ($2,000,000 ACI): USAID will continue to support activities aimed at the 

successful and sustainable reintegration of ex-combatants from the demobilized illegal armed groups. 

Technical assistance will continue to strengthen delivery of educational, vocational and social 

development training as well as job placement, job creation and income generation initiatives by 

public/private sectors and non-governmental organizations in support of the reintegration process of 

demobilized combatants. Outreach and alliance building activities with the private sector will continue to 

open access to private sector opportunities for ex-combatants. Technical assistance to increase access 

to income generating opportunities for the demobilized and their receptor communities through the 

development and implementation of regional reintegration by municipal and regional governments; and 

for a community outreach program for both demobilized persons and the communities will continue. 
14

Results Framework 

514-007 Strengthened Democratic Governance 

Program Title: Democracy 

 7.1: Justice Reformed and Modernized 

 7.2: Enhanced Respect for and Protection of Human Rights 

 7.3: Enhanced Participation, Representation and Accountability 

Discussion: The Strategic Framework presented in the Annual Report for 2005 is based on revisions in 

the Mission's planning and implementation. The reduction and refinement in reporting on SO level 

indicators is based on comments received from last year's annual report. This year's SO level indicators 

focus at a higher level and are greatly reduced in number. Early in FY06, the SO's IR titled Peace 

Conflict Resolution Promoted will transition over to the Mission's new SO4 - Improved Environment for 

Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration (DRR). All indicators associated with this IR will now be 

monitored and reported under SO4. 

Two of the SO Level Indicators (Enhanced Support to Democratic Institutions and Enhanced Confidence 

in Democratic Institutions) are Context Indicators that the DG team will be measuring on an annual basis 

through the implementation of the Democratic Indicators Monitoring Survey (DIMS). The baseline DIMS 

survey was implemented in 2004. The annual survey covers a national sample and an oversample in 

areas in which the Mission is implementing its Local Governance strengthening activities. The national 

sample covers specific thematic areas related to our programs in Human Rights, Justice and Good 

Governance, and Political Parties, mainly. 

Civil Society Strengthening is a cross-cutting theme to ensure democratic governance across the 

portfolio. As such, effective CSO advocacy in democratic governance matters will be measured in the 

Human Rights, Justice, Peace and Good Governance activities. The remaining two SO level indicators 

are also ACI indicators (Cases handled through Justice Facilities and Number of Judicial Sector and 

Human Rights Personnel Trained), which are being measured across the Andean Region. 

I.R. 7.1 Justice Reformed and Modernized 

 

The programs in this I.R. will support national projects to sustain and expand capacity in four core areas, 

with particular attention to the needs of conflict affected and/or rural based geographically isolated, 

economically marginalized and socially disenfranchised populations. These four core areas are: 1. 

Effective implementation of the new Criminal Procedures -- Accusatory System - Reform; 2. Strengthened 

Court Administration and Management; 3. Increased Access to Justice (especially for underserved rural, 

conflict affected, indigent and/or ethnically marginalized populations); and 4. Enhanced Civil Society roles 

in Justice Reform and Modernization. 

A fifth contingency area: Responsive Judicial Processes for Peace may be implemented in this IR, 

subject to future approvals of related operational authorities and funding. This area will improve capacity 

of the judiciary, public defense and Inspector General Office (Procuraduria) to effectively plan for, 

manage and implement judicial processes related to the 2005 Colombian justice and peace law (e.g. 

strengthening judicial processing of demobilized former members of illegal armed groups; and providing 

legal assistance for victims of the conflict to enhance availability of legal remedies in both reparation and 

restorative justice processes). 

I.R.7.2: Enhanced Respect for and Protection of Human Rights 

The Human Rights program will focus primarily on “fundamental rights”, i.e. those rights which require 

timely and often immediate State responses in order to guarantee life, safety to persons, and liberty. 

Violations of these fundamental rights regularly impact populations in conflict vulnerable populations. Left 

unaddressed, these abuses erode public confidence in the State’s democratic security policy and 

compromise support for and achievement of Plan Colombia objectives. In response to these challenges, 
15

the new Human Rights (HR) program will include technical assistance, training, logistics support and subgrant assistance in areas to: 1. Improve organizational capacity, policy and inter-institutional coordination 

among the diverse States entities with functions and responsibilities to uphold human rights in Colombia; 

2. Strengthen the Colombian State’s long term public policy and implementation capacity on human 

rights; 3. Empower civil society in its multiple non-partisan roles to further the national human rights 

agenda, i.e. to variously monitor, assess, advocate and provide technical assistance; 4. Identify and 

support opportunities for the State to incorporate basic human rights standards into peace process 

discussions with illegal armed groups and/or their interlocutors and monitor adherence to human rights 

standards. Furthermore, USAID will continue to coordinate implementation of several of the UNHCHR 

recommendations and has tailored the program toward its compliance. 

I.R.7.3: Enhanced Participation, Representation and Accountability 

The activities under this I.R. will focus on four core areas including: 1. Promotion of transparent, 

accountable, participatory and representative government and non-government entities at both the 

national level and in selected regions through the implementation of the new State Policy on Corruption 

Control; 2. Incorporation of political parties and their important role in transparent and accountable 

government practices as well as increase political participation and accountability through improved 

internal democracy and outreach within political parties as well as improved political representation 3. 

Strengthen civil society's ability to oversee public investment and advocate for effecient government 

practices; 4. Fill critical gaps between good governance policy and actual implementation. 

514-008 Expanded Economic and Social Alternatives to Illicit Crop Production 

Program Title: Alternative Development 

 8.1: Local Government and Institutions Strengthened 

 8.2: Sustainable Licit Economic Opportunities Expanded 

 8.3: Strengthened Economic Governance and Competitiveness 

Discussion: Expand Economic and Social Alternatives to Illicit Crop Production 

Strategic Objective 2 (SO2) will be achieved through three intermediate results (IRs) which are directed 

at: 1) strengthening local government and institutions; 2) expanding sustainable licit economic 

opportunities; and 3) strengthening economic governance and competitiveness. USAID/Colombia will 

directly support activities designed to contribute to the achievement of these four IRs. 

IR 8.1: Local Government and Institutions Strengthened 

This Intermediate Result (IR) will focus on strengthening the capacity of a wide range of organizations at 

the local level. USAID project activities will work with departmental and municipal governments, local 

communities, producer associations, and other groups in the preparation and implementation of 

productive and social projects that create licit income generation opportunities, improve the quality of life, 

conserve the environment, and support ethnic and cultural values necessary for peaceful coexistence. 

Many will be directly involved in the implementation of USAID/Colombia’s alternative development and 

municipal development program. The four sub-IRs are: 

1.1 Citizen Participation Increased. Extending state presence and fortifying the ability of local 

organizations to operate openly and effectively, and provide public services in a responsible and 

responsive manner, requires citizen participation. Participation of local citizens in local community and 

other activities is essential and USAID will support programs that foster such participation. 

1.2 Local Government Functions Improved. Activities aimed at increasing public participation in 

decision-making to improve local government functions will be a key features of USAID programs. 

Programs will work with a variety of local partners to facilitate and support effective communitygovernment dialogue and enable communities to prioritize, design, and implement projects and activities 

which meet their needs. Programs will help improve local government financial management, budget 
16

transparency, and local revenue generation will be undertaken, creating synergies between local 

government strengthening and alternative development activities in local areas. 

1.3 Social Infrastructure Expanded. USAID/Colombia contractors and grantees will work closely with 

municipalities and communities to develop basic social and productive infrastructure to meet community 

needs. This builds upon and expands the extensive number of past social and productive infrastructure 

actions carried out under USAID sponsorship. The development of such infrastructure activities will be 

aligned closely with community commitments to remain free from illicit crops and other illicit activities as a 

condition for receiving USAID support. These programs will also serve to help create local conditions that 

facilitate and promote basic alternative development program aspects, as well. Small social infrastructure 

projects offer an opportunity for municipal officials and citizens to put into practice improved management 

and participation methodologies that are presented to municipalities. These small projects provide 

practical, hands-on opportunities to demonstrate lessons learned regarding planning and management of 

development activities; increased local participation, promotion of transparency and accountability; and 

improved financial management. 

USAID’s activities will complement GOC local community development programs through Accion Social, 

which are responsible for constructing schools, rural access roads, and similar needed infrastructure. In 

addition, the US military is also actively pursuing local infrastructure development, coordinating closely 

with Accion Social. USAID’s programs will work closely with these programs to reinforce, find synergies, 

and coordinate so as to maximize results while avoiding the duplication of activities. 

1.4 Vulnerable Communities Assisted. Indigenous peoples inhabit at least 8 departments where 

USAID’s programs will be active. The cultivation of illicit crops has had a severe negative effect on the 

cultures and populations of indigenous groups. Ironically, the elimination of illicit crops may have a 

further negative effect on these indigenous groups, because many of these groups are no longer able to 

survive by traditional means and have become dependent on income from illicit crop cultivation, either on 

their own communal properties or as day laborers in illicit crop plantations. 

Strong bonds link indigenous peoples and the protection of large areas of natural forests, including 

national parks. A number of parks, forest reserves, and indigenous reserves either overlap or are 

adjacent to each other. The protection of indigenous territorial rights, therefore, frequently also results in 

the protection of parks. The 199l Constitution recognized that the indigenous traditional way of life does 

not stimulate deforestation as colonization does and specifically permits only indigenous peoples to live 

inside national parks, making them natural allies against park invaders. 

GOC programs assist indigenous groups throughout the country to gain secure legal title to their 

resguardos (reservations), maintain and restore their cultural traditions, improve their food security, and 

strengthen their local and regional organizations. USAID’s activities will complement those programs and 

help mitigate the negative impacts of illicit activities on indigenous peoples. 

IR 8.2: Sustainable Licit Economic Opportunities Expanded 

USAID/Colombia’s Alternative Development program will offer a wide range of economically viable, 

profitable, licit activities as alternatives to involvement in illicit economic activities. These activities will 

cover the spectrum, from fundamental on-farm production improvements to agribusiness development, 

sustainable commercial forestry, development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and covering 

such aspects as processing, marketing, and business development, among others. This IR is designed 

to introduce integrated production systems containing improved production and marketing technologies, 

promote diversification beyond traditional agricultural activities, and strengthen the involvement of 

participants in the economic chain from production through marketing. The four sub-IRs are: 

2.1 Productive Infrastructure Improved. 

Activities under this IR will seek improvements in basic production-related activities and related 

infrastructure that is so critical to achieving economies of scale in production as well as supporting the 
17

marketing and commercialization of products. Activities under this IR can be grouped into the following 

categories: 

- Market research to determine which crops would be most marketable and applied research on new 

crops to determine productivity, identify problems, etc.; 

- Extension of the most suitable technologies and practices in production, processing, and resource 

management to small farmers in order to increase their productivity and competitiveness; 

- Basic productive infrastructure to facilitate specific production-related activities (e.g., processing plants, 

produce collection centers, roads, and bridges); 

- Credit for agricultural production, processing, marketing, and related activities; 

- Pre-investment activities to determine the pre-feasibility and feasibility of larger-scale productive 

enterprises and to design projects that will provide optimum results for both the business (or 

agribusiness) firm and for the community; 

- Business organization and management techniques to support the establishment and strengthening of 

producer and marketing associations, mixed capital enterprises and other business forms; and 

- Promotion of linkages between producers’ associations and industry-related private business entities to 

expand marketing options of productive projects. 

Productive enterprises include numerous fruits (both tropical and cold climate), vegetables, specialty 

coffees (including organic coffee), dairy products, yucca, hot peppers, African Palm, natural rubber, 

cocoa, cassava, palm hearts, and agro-forestry. Fish pond production may also be considered. The 

potential of other alternative high-value commercial export and domestic crops will also be undertaken. In 

appropriate instances, short term family “food security” activities will be undertaken as a means to assist 

families who are moving into higher value crops which require some time to reach maturity in production. 

In addition to the production of agricultural and livestock-related products, other forms of employment and 

businesses will be stimulated. As producer groups market more products, there will be a need for postharvest selection and packaging, as well as the manufacturing of packing materials and transportation, 

leading to an increase in labor demand and local business activity. Also, the local construction and 

commerce sectors will benefit from the sustainable economic expansion created. 

2.2 Business Support Services Strengthened. 

This intermediate result will provide employment alternatives in secondary cities to those who might 

otherwise be employed in the narcotics trade or with illegally-armed groups. Employment opportunities 

will be created by helping SMEs expand their businesses. The program provides consulting services that 

address many of the market and cultural constraints that impede SME growth, including access to credit. 

Technical assessment will be provided to SMEs indicated deficiencies in owner-management 

dominance, the lack of strategic planning, inadequate knowledge of markets, as well as the need to 

upgrade production technologies, accounting systems, cost controls, and personnel selection procedures. 

2. 3 Natural Resource Management Enhanced. 

In many of Colombia’s illicit crop producing regions, the long-term success of alternative development is 

contingent on conservation of fragile soils by small farmers and proper management of natural resources. 

This Intermediate Result will promote sustainable production systems for alternative crops through the 

application of agro-forestry systems that combine multiple crops, livestock, trees, and simple soil 

conservation practices. In agro-forestry systems, farmers not only increase their farms’ ecological stability 

through the conservation of soils, but also increase financial stability through diversification. Such 

systems are particularly suited to the financial and ecological conditions of small farms in remote regions. 

The agro-forestry projects will be designed to provide farmers with technically sound solutions for a wide 
18

range of sites, geographic regions, crop mixtures, farmer preferences, and local, regional and national 

markets. These efforts will help prevent the encroachment of coca and poppy cultivation (or other types 

of agriculture) into these protected and ecologically sensitive areas. Under this activity environmental 

analyses will be conducted and ensuring that appropriate mitigation measures are considered to prevent 

the occurrence of any significant negative environmental impacts as a result of the implementation of 

Alternative Development Program activities. Additionally the Environmental Review (ER) process leads 

the environmental transformation of agricultural practices in all productive programs/projects developed 

by USAID in Colombia. The ER process encourages the use of Agricultural Best Practices that can be 

found in provided Environmental Guidelines, which are applied for this process. Agro-forestry and silvopastoral systems managed by USAID programs improve biodiversity and forest protection/conservation, 

while formers get awareness of environmental matters and increase their management capacity. 

Intermediate Result 3: Strengthened Economic Governance and Competitiveness: 

This intermediate result entails promotion of the critical policy and institutional reforms required to 

enhance Colombia’s capacity to reap the fullest possible benefits from the trade/investment integration 

process; and to enhance the sustainability of the massive investments which the U.S. and Colombian 

Governments are making in the alternative development area. This will be achieved through the 

provision of targeted technical support and training resources in prioritized economic reform analysis and 

policy dialogue areas. These support activities will in turn facilitate the adoption and effective 

implementation of key economic policy and institutional reforms; and thereby sustainably improve the 

climate for private investment and job creation in Colombia. 

3.1 WTO-consistent Customs Legal/Administrative Framework Adopted and Implemented. 

Under this activity, strategic technical/training support will be provided to create a WTO-consistent 

customs regime in Colombia and thereby facilitate the deepening of trade flows in a manner which 

promotes effective integration into international trade/investment networks, and increased private 

investment and job creation. This will in turn entail targeted efforts to support the effective adoption and 

implementation of a WTO-consistent customs legal framework; and the adoption of WTO-consistent 

valuation, classification, rules of origin, and inspection/processing norms. 

3.2 Competitiveness-enhancing Tax Policy Framework Adopted and Implemented 

Under this activity, strategic technical/training support will be provided to create a competitivenessenhancing tax policy framework in Colombia; designed to dramatically reduce the current distortions 

which inhibit the sustainable expansion and improved efficiency of private investment in Colombia. This 

support will focus on putting both the legislative and implementing regulatory framework in place to 

establish and effectively implemented a modernized and international best-practices consistent tax 

regime in Colombia; which in turn effectively promotes both macroeconomic stabilization and medium-tolong term economic growth objectives. 

3.3 Improved Enabling Environment for Private Investment 

Under this activity, strategic technical/training support will be provided to facilitate the formulation of 

strategic legal/regulatory and institutional reforms required to improve the investment climate in a manner 

which spurs increased investment and income and job creation. This will include strategic 

policy/regulatory reforms critical to establishing a transparent, non-distortive and market-friendly financial 

sector policy and regulatory regime in Colombia. This in turn will involve the promotion of key 

policy/regulatory and institutional reforms which lower financial intermediation costs and improve financial 

resource allocation incentives; in a manner which promotes more buoyant and transparent financial 

market operations and supports expanded private savings/investment. In addition, USAID will support 

key reforms designed to promote more transparent, stable and efficient regulatory and institutional 

environment for private investment and the related cost-efficient and reliable provision of services in key 
19

infrastructure sectors. It will also support the promotion of policy/institutional reforms in critical investor 

rights protection areas, including improving the policy framework for defining and promoting effective 

enforcement of moveable and immoveable property rights, and promoting legal/regulatory reforms which 

ensure greater clarity and stability in the legal regime for all private investors. 

3.4 Trade Regime Harmonized with WTO-Standards 

 Under this activity, strategic technical/training support will be provided to promote 

adoption/implementation of strategic legal/regulatory and institutional reforms designed to promote 

Colombian compliance with international best practices-consistent technical norms/standards for 

agricultural and agri-business sectors, and for critical industrial and service sectors in which Colombia has 

significant competitive potential. In addition, support will be provided to facilitate Colombia’s capacity to 

comply with international best practice-related standards in key policy areas; including labor, 

environment, and intellectual property rights. These support efforts will together promote Colombia’s 

enhanced and accelerated integration into globalized trade/investment networks. 

514-009 Successful Reintegration of IDPs and Support to Other Vulnerable Groups 

Program Title: Internally Displaced Persons 

 9.1: Adequate Economic and Social Opportunities for IDPs and Other Vulnerable Groups Available 

 9.2: Colombian Private and Public Sector Institutions Providing Support and Facilitating Reintegration 

Discussion: The revised SO is “Successful Reintegration of IDPs and Support to Other Vulnerable 

Groups.” 

The two new Intermediate Results and their specific sub-IRs are: 

1. Adequate Economic and Social Opportunities for IDPs and Other Vulnerable Groups Available 

 1.1 Increased Economic Opportunities for IDPs and Other Vulnerable Groups 

 1.2 Increased Access to Basic Social Services for IDPs and OVGs 

2. Colombian Public and Private Institutions Providing Support and Facilitating Reintegration 

 2.1 Increased NGO/Private Sector Responsiveness to IDP needs 

 2.2 Increased Public Sector Responsiveness to IDP needs 

514-XXX Improved Environment for Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration 

Program Title: Support for Demobilization and Reintegration 

 IR1: Reintegration of Ex-Combatants, Including Children 

 IR2: National Reconciliation and Victims' Reparation Process Advanced 

Discussion: This new strategic objective is planned for start-up in FY 2006 under the new revised 

USAID/Colombia Strategic Plan 2006-2008. This objective will be met by two intermediate results that 

will achieve the goal of enhancing the environment for demobilization and reintegration of illegal armed 

groups in Colombia. An Activity Document is being developed to provide details of the program and 

propose specific activities and public and private sector counterparts. Specific performance measures 

and indicators have not been determined yet; they will be defined in the complete Strategic Objective 

Performance Management Plan. 

The specific IRs and sub-IRs proposed for this SO are: 
20

1. Reintegration of Ex-combatants, including Children 

 1.1 Increased Institutional Capacities for Demobilization and Reintegration of Ex-combatants 

 1.2 Strengthened Verification, Monitoring and Assessment of Demobilization and Reintegration 

 1.3 Ex-combatants prepared to Return to Civilian Life 

2. National Reconciliation and Victims' Reparation Process Advanced 

 2.1 Develop Institutional Capacity for National Reconciliation and Victim's Reparation 

 2.2 Effective Victims' Reparation Process