Linking rural youth to pertinent and quality higher education in the Macizo Colombiano, Colombia

Access to quality higher education is still just a dream for many young Colombians, particularly those living in rural areas.

The IAF supports community-led approaches to providing educational opportunities for youth, making them less vulnerable to recruitment into criminal activity and enhancing peace and security.

Our grantee partner Cooperativa del Sur del Cauca (Cosurca) is developing a training program on rural community tourism and sustainable agriculture for young Colombians to develop their ability to serve as community leaders and generate economic opportunities in their territories.

Project activities will contribute to the consolidation of a vocational training school, Corpocaminos, as an academic institution offering a technical diploma equivalent to an associate degree.This grant is part of our broader initiative that supports grassroots organizations to build a just and lasting peace in Colombia.

Amendment FY22 :This amendment provides Cosurca with an additional $30,000 to carry out new activities that promote food security, effective public health practices, and other actions to reduce the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on its communities.

The new activities include training workshops and technical assistance to provide 13 community organizations with the tools required to further diversify their production capacity and decrease their dependence on coffee revenues. In addition, the Grantee will further develop and support its technical training school, Corpocaminos.

This amendment is part of the IAF?s broader COVID-19 response strategy.

Amendment FY24 :This amendment provides Cosurca with an additional 12 months and $175,312 to accelerate the transition of its member producers to organic and sustainable production practices in order to comply with new European export regulations. Cosurca will also continue to strengthen the administration and physical infrastructure of Corpocaminos.

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