STRENGTHENING PEACE IN SECOND QUARTER STATUS REPOR:r October 1 - December 31 /200;1'

r.==,-===------~~ Buenos Aires

VALLE: Jamundi Pance Cali

la!Q.C.Q: Quibdo MEIA: Villavicencio JlQlJY1\B: San Pablo Cantagallo

pUIUMAYO: Orito

SANTANpER: Barrancabermeja El Carmen .... San Vicente Betulia Puerto \Nilches

Qllli'IIlQ: Armenia

ANT10QUIA: Puerto Nare Puerto Berrio Yanda Medellin

CUNQINAMARCA Bogota

NORTE De SANTANDER Cucuta

KEY Reconciliation 0

Civil Society Participation

Support for the Office "' Of High Commissioner iI For Peace II Excluded Groups "' Peace and Electoral Process "'

International Organization for Migration - 10M

I 1. SUMMARY

At the end ofDecember 2001, the Program for Strengthening Peace in Colombia - hereafter Peace Program­ financed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by the International Organization for Migration (10M) through a Cooperative Agreement between the two organizations, completed its second quarter of project activities with 16 sub-projects, representing USD 1,427,579 USD in project obligations. These projects benefit directly some 19,951 persons and indirectly a further 70,850 beneficiaries in 28 municipalities and 14 departments in Colombia. A brief description and status report for each approved project is presented in the Project Summary Cards in Annex 1.

In the last quarter, the program continued to prioritize the geographical areas ofMagdalena Medio, Southern Colombia and AntioquialChoc6. Updated context information is provided in Section II. It is worth noting that investment for projects developed in these areas is estimated at 125,724, 156,440 and 247,152 USD, respectively, while the remaining funds have been invested in projects with national impact and those aimed to benefit other departments ofthe country, as demonstrated in the pie-chart below.

Chart 1: Financial Distribution by Geographical Area

.ANTIOQUIAICHOCO • MAGDALENA MEDIO DNATIONAL .SOUTH 1lI0THER ZONES

D48%

Likewise, the program continues to focus activities according to the strategic areas outlined in the project document and those identified in the first quarter, such as Reconciliation & Assistance to Victims, Increased Participation of Civil Society in Peace Processes and Support to the Office of the High Commissioner for Peace. In this quarter, projects have been approved and identified for future approval in two new areas: Work with Excluded Groups (ethnic minorities, youths, etc.) and Peace and Electoral Process - a timely area of support, given the upcoming congressional and presidential elections. These areas of activity and the approved and identified projects that contribute to each strategy are provided in Section m.

For the third quarter of project implementation, a further 8 projects have been identified for approval, representing a further 555,670 USD in future obligations. Given the approval of these projects (outlined in the Third Quarter Action Plan in Section N) the program can expect to complete the next quarter with a balance for projects of c. 200,000 USD, necessary as a reserve to respond to emerging priorities or specific needs ofapproved projects. Through the end of the reporting period, program expenditures amounted to 758,998 USD of which USD 593,585 constitute disbursements to sub-grantees. A summary of budgetary implementation by approved line item is provided in Section V.

II. GEOGRAPHICAL FOCUS - CONTEXT AND PROJECT DISTRIBUTION

Although several approved projects are national in scope and/or based in Bogota, in the first quarter of program implementation, several regions were prioritized for project identification: the southern departments (including Putumayo, Cauca, Caqueta, Narifio) Antioquia, Choco (especially the Uraba region) and the area of Magdalena Medio. A brief situational report on each of these is provided below, followed by a chart showing the financial distribution ofinvestment according to geographical area.

Soutltern Region

The southern region is characterized by two historic trends: isolation from the rest of the country with minimal attention (development, security, etc.) from the central government, and exploitative economic booms which are based on extraction of natural resources and agricultural products, working against rather than for local development. The most recent economic boom in the region is coca; particularly in Putumayo, to a lesser extent in Caqueta and more recently in Narifio. As the armed groups are financed predominantly by controlling profits and taxing illegal activity, the armed groups contest these departments fiercely.

After three successive quarters of increasing incidence of violence against civilians, displacement and combat between armed groups, the Department ofPutumayo began to show signs ofrelative stabilization in this period. However combat between FARC and paramilitaries continues to the coca-concentrated lands in the southwest and selective killings were registered in Mocoa, Puerto Asis, Puerto Caicedo and Villa Garzon during this period. On the contrary, incidence ofviolence increased in Narifio, alongside an increase in illicit crops, Caqueta and Cauca.

Violence in Narifio was slow to arrive, but has been increasing continuously throughout the last three quarters. Among the reasons for this recent incursion of armed groups into the region are: (a) the department's propinquity to areas of historical conflict, Cauca and Putumayo; (b) its location along the international frontier with Ecuador; and (c) its strategic worth as a corridor to the Pacific.

Key events in the department during this quarter include the FARC take-over ofSan Jose de Alban, resulting in the death oftwo policemen, two civilians, and the destruction of 14 houses. At a different time, the ELN also strove to take-over this town, but the GOC armed forces and the community balked the plan. In November, the FARC placed a number of car bombs along major routes; in the last week of November, a plan to incinerate a gas pipeline was discovered in time in the Municipality ofPuerres.

Regarding armed combat in Narifio, several combats were reported in Tuquerres, Guachavez and Ipiales, though paramilitary-guerrilla fighting continues to be most frequent in the southwest-Pacific zones, like Llorente, Barbacoas, Turnaco and Santa Barbara de Iscuande. In October, fighting between ELN, FARC, AUC and the armed forces became so heated that land travel became impossible in this region for 15 days. In this area, the violent incident with most impact during the quarter occurred when the paramilitaries forced out temporarily some 1,200 persons from Iscuande toward Cauca and Tumaco.

Considering the similarities between Caqueta and Putumayo, and the location of the former to the demilitarized zone, it is fair to say that the situation of violence and displacement here remained relatively stable during the first part of2001. However, Caqueta suffered a sharp increase in conflict-related incidents during the last quarter; municipalities ill fated by propinquity to the' demilitarized zone suffered the consequences ofthe bloody contest between paramilitaries and FARC guerrillas for this buffer zone. In what appears to be a game of tit-for-tat, the Mayor of Cartagena was murdered following the accusation that he supported the guerrilla and the Mayor ofPuerto Rico (not long after the murder ofanother municipal worker, the Director of the House of Culture) was assassinated as punishment for his alleged association with the paramilitaries. In December, attempts on the lives of a congress representative and the manager of COFEMA, a semi-public entity that processes and markets beef, were reported. illegal "fundraising" activities on behalf, mostly, ofthe FARC guerrillas was rampant through the end ofthe year; extortion provided the FARC with more than 2,500 million Colombian Pesos (roughly one million dollars) during the year and 99 cases of kidnapping were reported. As of the end of the year, seventeen businessmen from Florencia remained in captivity - presumably in the demilitarized zone. Major Javier Montes Acosta of the Gaula Troops reports that these numbers reflect the effectiveness of fumigation, whereby the FARC must turn to alternative moneymaking schemes as the coca trade becomes less lucrative.

On December 5, Caquem was declared an Observatory for Peace by the United Nations, on account ofthe deterioration in security conditions and the increasing incidence of violations to human rights. Mr. Anders Kompass, Resident Coordinator of the UN System in Colombia and Representative of UNHCHR, representatives of the Human Rights Ombudsman and diplomatic delegations from Canada, Mexico and Germany attended the event. The objectives of the Observatory, according to Ana Teresa Bernal of REDEPAZ, are to seek alternatives and solutions to the armed conflict, specifically insofar as the conflict is affecting civilian population.

The department ofCauca is an example of what the Episcopal Conference classified as an Expansion Zone, which is to say it has not been traditionally a high conflict zone, but is increasingly the location ofcombat and gross violations to human rights. In the year 2000, a FARC-perpetrated massacre in the municipality of Ortega, left 10 peasants dead. In the month of April of 2001, a massacre in Naya of 12 civilians, mostly killed by machete, horrified the country. A joint Colombian-UN commission had warned that the village was likely to fall victim to such events repeatedly at the hands ofparamilitaries - the constant state ofalert in this department, particularly in indigenous communities has debilitated an already weak local economy and resulted in humanitarian crises.

In the last two months, a different kind ofstory on Cauca reached national and international press: Caldono and Bolivar, two municipalities with large indigenous populations, succeeded in resisting FARC take-overs in their villages by physically obstructing the troops' advance into the municipal capitals and slashing their tires. While congratulating the communities' on these acts ofpacific resistance, many expressed concem of possible retaliations from the guerrilla. In any case, this armed group does not appear to be deterred from their sustained offensive into rural Cauca: on New Year's Eve some 300 Colombian FARC combatants stormed into Purace and Coconuco, killing 2 policemen and 8 soldiers.

Antioquia and Choco

Antioquia repeatedly shows the highest statistics ofpolitical violence in the country and, correspondingly, is the department most heavily affected by internal displacement in terms both of reception and expulsion, according to the Social Solidarity Network. In the rural areas, the conflict follows a pattern now firmly established throughout the country: paramilitaries took hold of areas historically dominated by insurgent guerrillas in the· first part ofthe year and punished civilians for their allegiance to the ousted bosses - in the last quarter, guerrillas have made headway in regaining territory and punished civilians for their lack of loyalty! Between the months of January and October of 2001,49 massacres resulting in 307 deaths were reported, of which 138 deaths are attributed to the paramilitaries, 73 to the FARC, 13 to the ELN and the remaining number to individuals or gangs. Vandalism is also rampant; between January and October 200I 208 electrical towers were brought down and IS bridges, destroyed, by the ELN. During this same period, 325 persons have been kidnapped - about half have been liberated, a slightly lower number remain in captivity and 6 are dead.

Another cause of concern in the department, not entirely separate from the current political context, is the prevalence of urban violence in the departmental capital, Medellin. The murder rate in this city is 228 per 100,000 residents, web above the official national rate of 65,' itself considered to be the highest (national) murder rate in the hemisphere.

Uraba is a sub-region of both Antioquia and Choco, comprised by the municipalities ofAcandi, Apartado, Arboletes, Chigordo, Dabeiba, Murindo, Mutata, Necocli, Riosucio, San Juan de UraM, San Pedro de UraM, Rubo and Vigia del Fuerte. During the last months, the municipality ofRiosucio has seen some ofthe worst violence reported in recent years with figures on casualties oscillating between 150 and 450 persons.

Choco is a department that has been under-attended by the government historically, but is of tremendous interest to the armed groups on account ofits geographical location. The paramilitaries continue to maintain domination in the department, though the FARC is clearly attempting to regain lost ground. Civilians have been victims to selective killing, perpetrated mostly by the paramilitaries, as well as to various acts of vandalism perpetrated by the insurgent groups and resulting in electricity blackouts, destruction to infrastructure and severe food shortages.

Magdalena Medio

Sixty-three municipalities in the departments of Caldas, Boyaca, Cundinamarca, Santander, Antioquia, Cesar, Bolivar and Magdalena comprise Magdalena Medio. The principal city ofthis region is the port city ofBarrancabermeja in the Department ofSantander.

Barrancabermeja has a tradition of left-leaning social organization since being the home of a key liberal organization called the Workers' Trade Union and the birthplace ofthe National Liberation Army (ELN, for its Spanish initials). The city has experienced massive migration flows since the 1940s and suffered the social consequences ofdisorderly urban growth.

On account most likely of the natural riches of this area, particularly in oil, the presence of self-defense groups has been another constant for the last 20 years; they have contested the guerrilla domination, finally succeeding in taking Barrancabermeja more than one year ago. While the initial period following the take­ over appeared to show a reduction in violence, the AUC has shown itself to be equally ruthless in maintaining social control - through strictly enforced codes, selective killings, social cleansing and threat­ enforced controls over social organizations - as in acquiring it.

The urban violence, perpetrated mostly by the paramilitaries, in Barrancabermeja continued during the quarter, most notably in the selective killings of6 trade union leaders, during the last three months. Added to the number of trade union leaders killed earlier this year, the death toll reaches a dozen and so far has resulted in the closure of 5 trade unions. ht this city, the paramilitaries continue to threaten and limit the activities of left-leaning social organizations: a CREDHOS member was tortured and killed; a communal dining hall sponsored by the Popular Women's Organization (OFP, for its Spanish initials) was destroyed and the OFP coordinators continue to receive death threats. ht the last quarter, the conflict re-entered several areas ofMagdalena Medio, which had remained relatively stable for the previous six months on account of an apparently solid territorial domination by the paramilitaries. These areas, such as the northwestern area ofthe San Lucas range, the municipality ofSanta

I "Colombia's Crimson Night," The Houston Chronicle. Internet: www.chronicle.com Rosa, the southwestern area between the rivers Opon and Carare and sections of Puerto Nare and Puerto Barrio, were disputed anew by the FARC in rare collaboration with the ELN.

The return of one group to re-claim lost territory has become notorious in Colombia as a time of gross violations against civilians labeled traitors on account ofbehavior under domination by the contesting armed group. The recent turn of events in Magdalena Medio has not proven an exception: in Santa Rosa, four persons were killed in November and 25 families were displaced in the middle of November. In the municipalities on Landazuri, Bolivar and Pefi6n in the early part ofNovember, the FARC's resurgence was accompanied by the publication of a list ofpersons 'unwelcome' in the zone. In the middle of November, combat between FARC and paramilitaries, alongside pressure from both groups, resulted in the displacement of87 families (320 individuals). In Puerto Nare, the FARC has strengthened its position and is blocking the return of667 persons uprooted from this municipality in May oflast year.

ill. APPROVED AND ONGOING PROJECTS

The following table includes information on impact, geographical coverage and strategy of all approved projects, as ofthe end ofthe reporting period.

, Communlly Strengthening for 5,000 in 25,000 in Cauca, Valle Reconciliation and Peac~ Recovery and Conflict beneficiary beneficiary del Canca Assistance to Resolution ALLENPAZ families communities Victims 2 Strengthening of Colombian 250NGO 2,000 database 10,000 Choc6, Meta, Civil Society Confederation of NGOs workers users beneficiaries of Santander, Participation - CCONG NGO projects Quindio Ca acity Buildin 3 Reconciliation through 1,000 persons 2,500 persons Santander, Reconciliation & Assistance for Victims of in beneficiary in beneficiary Bolivar & Assistance to Conflid in Magdalena Medio families communities Antioquia Victims Comlsi6n Vida paz 4 Sumas y Restos: Movie on the 50 "natural" 10,000 viewers 1,000,000 Antioquia Civil Society Personal and Societal Dangers of actors in target movie viewers Participation - the Drug Trade (Dueha Frla audience Message Producciones Broadcasting 5 Strengthening the Office ofthe 60 public 5,000 persons National National Support for the High Commissioner for Peace officials in close Office ofthe High involvement Commissioner for with the Peace Peace ' Process .. 5(A) Systematization for Easy 2,000 regular Reference ofPeace Processes in database users Colombia 5(B) Capaeily-buildlng In Communications & Information Tecbnolo 5(C) Sub-contraets to speeialized consultants 6 Peace & Negotiation Training at 700 students 3,500 students Bogota, Civil Society tbe University and Community and local and Coastal Region Participation - Levels (CONFECAMARAS and leaders community Conflict Observatorio ara Ja Paz members Resolution 7 Media Professionalization 2,500 5,000 Journalists in Bogota, Civil Society Research Project and Journalism journalists and Occasional Colombia Antioquia, Participation -- Wehsite (Medios para Ia Paz) regular Web Web Site users Caquetil, Valle Media Site users del Cauea, Santander, Narino, C6rdoba 8 Construction of a Gender- 700 women 15,000 in -- National Civil Society Focused Proposal for Peace women's' Participation Negotiations groups, web- site users and recipients of Agenda for Peace 9 La Decisi6n de San Mateo: Movie 50 former 200 former 1,800,000 National Civil Society on Demobilization and combatants combatants in television Participation - Reintegration Experiences NGOs,250 viewers Message (Observatorio parala Paz) former child Broadcasting soldiers 10 Institutional Strengthening of 210 present & 2,000 assisted War- Antioquia Reconciliation and CONFEPAZ and Research projected in follow-up handicapped Assistance to Project on War-Handicapped members activities population Victims Persons II Virtual Library and Research 2,050NGO 5,000 Ethnic National Excluded Groups Center on Ethnic Minorities & workers and occasional minorities in Human Rights (Fundaci6n regular Web Web Site users Colombia Hemeral Site users 12 Voto Visible: Website on 5,000 regular 15,000 -- National Peace and Electoral congressional and presidential Web Site users occasional Process candidates (Revista Semana & (voters) Web Site users Transoarencia) (voters) 13 Community Strengthening for 700 Embera 500 members -- Putumayo Excluded Groups Development, IndigenoDs Katio ofother Culture and Conflict Resolution indigenous groups 14 Entrepreneurial and 100 400 family War- Antioquia Reconciliation and Psychosocial Support to War- handicapped members of handicapped Assistance to handicapped Persons (Fundacion persons beneficiaries population Victims Amieos de los Limitadosl 15 Congreso & Candidatos Visibles 1,000 -- 500,000 National Peace and Electoral (University ofLos Andes) participants in recipients Process civic education activities 16 Private Sector Research & 581 public 5,000 persons National BogoW Civil Society Perspective on Peace officials and involved in National Participation Negotiations (Fnndacion members of peace process2 Em ,resarial trade boards

Totals 19,951 70,850

2 Indirect Beneficiaries counted under Support to High Commissioner's Office project and not included twice in the beneficiary total. As noted above, approved projects may be categorized also according to strategic areas outlined by the program; this breakdown is demonstrated in the pie chart below: Chart 2: Financial Distribution by Component

6% 6%

35%

32%

• Support for the Office ofthe High Commissioner for Peace III Excluded Groups II Peace and electoral Process iii Message Broadcasting .Civil Society Participation DReconciliation

With the exception of Peace and Electoral Process, which is addressed separately below, these components have been outlined in previous documentation and are reviewed briefly here:

In terms offinancial obligations, the strongest component under the program is that dedicated to fostering Reconciliation in war-affected and divided communities, by focusing on the needs ofvictims such that victims can gradually reincorporate into society. Projects approved under this component include the Vallenpaz-implemented community organization and agricultural development project in Cauca and Valle del Cauca; the Catholic Church project on legal and entrepreneurial assistance program to victims in Magdalena Medio, and the project implemented by Fundaci6n Amigos de los Limitados to provide durable solutions to war-handicapped persons. In the case of the CONFEPAZ project, the Assistance to Victims component is complemented by a more direct approach to reconciliation between handicapped ex ­ Community Strengthening for Peace, Recovery and combatants from both sides ofthe conflict. Conflict Resolution (VALLENPAZ)

A second broad category of activities is Civil Society Participation, which is further broken-down into specific types of activity. For example, selected civil society entities are receiving financial and technical assistance to improve inner-city mechanisms for conflict resolution (Confecamaras) to broadcast messages regarding the corrosive nature of conflict and alternative peace initiatives through popular and massive media outlets (Victor Gaviria's movie titled Sumas and Restas; the Observatorio para la Paz TV movie on demobilization and reintegration experiences called La Decision de San Mateo) and to advance Media Professionalization in the country, particularly aimed to strengthen journalism and journalists from the corrupting and corrosive effects of the conflict.

Under this same strategic line, another goal pursued through two ongoing projects, as well as through a third pipeline sub-grant to the African Colombian NGOs Cimarron and Afrodes, is the development and dissemination of civil society perspectives on the National Peace Process and specifically on the components of reform discussed by the FARC and the Government. The value ofdoing so is three-fold: La Dccisi6n de San Mateo: Movie on Demobilization and Reintegration Experiences (Observatorio para la Paz)

• On account ofthe more pressing nature ofnegotiations that relate to cease-fire, human rights and an end to hostilities, little attention is given to the reform components of the peace negotiations. However, the GOC is criticized often of lacking strategic vision as to the political, economic and social reforms necessary to end the conflict and build durable peace. To the extent that the GOC incorporates the perspectives of women, ethnic minorities and the private sector into its negotiations "platform," the period ofimplementation ofagreed reforms will be smoother and more popular.

• The projects are designed to provide technical (as well as social) inputs to the peace process, such that the documents produced by Consejo Gremial, for example, aim to build capacity in the GOC to negotiate feasible reforms that benefit the Colombian economy.

• Generally, the National Peace Process has sustained continuous losses in popularity to the degree that, if not keen disapproval, most Colombians feel apathetic and unhopeful about the process. During recent crises in the process, it is not surprising then that surveys and other thermometers of public sentiment demonstrate little interest of society-at-large to make the necessary sacrifices to keep the process alive. These projects aim to make civil society leaders stakeholders in the peace process and thereby foster increased commitment.

A third strategic line, introduced in the last report, is support to groups that have been excluded traditionally from development and now find themselves without a political voice within the peace process. Under this component, the Hemera Web-Site has been expanded to become what many persons consider to be the most complete virtual reference center on Colombia's ethnic minorities and on their situation vis-it-vis the ongoing conflict. During this quarter, a small­ budget project was approved to work with the heavily war­ tom indigenous community of Embera Katios in Putumayo; this project aims to strengthen the Embera community in the areas of conflict resolution and community organization, Virtual Library and Research Center on Ethnic but also in development (agricultural and infrastructure) Minoritie.'i & Human Rii!ht~ lFundacilm Hemera) planning.

q Peace and Electoral Process

Legislative elections will take place in March ofthis year, followed by presidential elections in May and the establishment ofthe new administration in the first week ofAugust. The assistance provided to civil society entities (Semana Magazine and the Los Andes University) to ensure citizens' access to information on the candidates is closely linked to the goals of the Peace Program, as noted by the Conflict Prevention Network as follows:

Assisting and reforming an election can be effective in preventing or mitigating violent conflict in a deeply polarized society. "Legitimate government reconciliation and peaceful democratic transition can emerge from the electoral process if there are incentives for cooperation and accommodation that bridge cleavages... On the downside, elections can exacerbate tensions, encourage uncompromising attitudes and tempt the majority to stress outvoting members of the minority rather than attempts to reach agreement with them.

In the case of the sub-grants provided by the Peace Program, assistance is directed not at '!Ii' reforming the process itselfbut increasing access nationwide to information on candidates, their record and current stance on the peace process, inconsistencies and incidents of corruption, relationship to one or another armed group, and so on.

IV. TffiRD QUARTER ACTION PLAN

Eight projects have been pre-identified for development and approval in the third quarter; as the approval of these projects would represent the obligation of the large part of available funds, it is unlikely that new project ideas will be identified during this period. Rather, program focus will be on project development, followed by a period ofintensive implementation in the fourth quarter.

Fundaci6n Dfa del Nino Support to training ofeducators and 160,000 National; support to groups promoters that work in Ludotecas. excluded from development & recreational and educational centers for peace processes (youths) youths, throughout the country. (National) As oftbe end oftbe quarter, Support to Bolivar and Caldono in tbe 50,000 Southern Departments; implementing agency not southern Department ofCauca toward Reconciliation & Assistance to defined recovery from recent attacks and Victims dis lacement revention Fundaci6n Batuta Project to provide musical training to urban 44,963 Not yet determined; support to youths through set-up ofyouth orchestras groups excluded from development & peace processes ( ouths Corporaci6n J urldica Libertad Project among at-risk and returning 61,000 Choc6; Civil Society communities in Choco to prepare for land~ Participation tiding, train municipal workers and research land tenanc issues is this area. (Choco Mayor's Office ofJurado Support to returnees from Panama in areas 80,000 Choco; Reconciliation & ofattention such as family reunification and Assistance to Victims conflict prevention between returnees and rece tor 0 ulations (Choco) Hoear de Paso Jesus de Support to handicapped victims ofconflict, 85,000 Magdalena Medio; Nazaretb particularly mine victims, toward socio- Reconciliation & Assistance to economic reintegration. (Santander) Victims Corporaci6n Nuevo Areo Iris Community strengthening in urban 36,707 Magdalena Medio; Bucaramanga through organization and Reconciliation & Assistance to implementation ofsocial-benefit oroiects Victims Fundacion Multicolor: Development ofCommunity radio and TV to 38,000 Magdalena Media, Cboc6 & Information System for Peace promote alternative media and community Antioquia; Civil Society ,, - Part • t n Total Estimated 555,670 Future Obligations

V. FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Through the end ofDecember 200I, a total of 758,998 USD had been expended in the Strengthening Peace in Colombia Program, including 593,585 USD to projects, 88,854 USD in Staff and Office Costs, 3,206 USD in field supervision (travel) and 68,565 USD in overhead,' The following table and bar chart shows tbe status in budgetary implementation ofall approved projects: To ble 3 ObI'- t' ve D' b rsem Is b Pro 'eel # Project Title Contribution Peace Program Total Project Budget Disbursement Status th rongh 12/31/200 I I Community Strengthening for Peace, Recovery and Conflict 238,919 1,850,690 128,496 Resolution (VALLENPAZ) 2 Strengtbening ofColombian Confederation of NGOs 122,394 176,774 40,951 (CCONG) 3 Reconciliation tbrongb Assistance for Victims of 86,121 126,496 32,760 Conflict In Magdalena Medio (Comisi6n Vida v Paz) 4 Snmas y Restas: Movie on tbe Personal and Societal Dangers of 52,015 1,108,367 52,015 tbe Drug Trade (Dncba Fria Prodnceiones) 5 Strengthening the Office of the High Commissioner for Peace 105,452 105,452 53,139 (Total Obli2ated Pins Reserve) 5(A) Systematization for Easy Reference of Peace Processes in 49,832 63,329 17,423 Colombia 5(B) Capacity-building in Communications & Information 35,716 35,716 35,716 Tecbnolo"," 5(C) Sub-contracts to specialized 9,000 9,000 0 consultants 6 Peace & Negotiation Training at tbe University and Commnnity Levels (CONFECAMARAS and 92,461 123,213 32,713 Observatorio Dara la Paz) 7 Media Professlonalizatlon Researcb Project and 109,349 130,966 -0- Journalism Website (Medios para la Paz)

, Please note that the remaining 4,788 USD are reflected in taxes, which are later re-entered into the project as the GOC reimburses these expenses to 10M. II 8 Construction ofa Gender~ Focused Proposal for Peace 86,888 96,445 19,054 N""otiations 9 La Decision de San Mateo: Movie on Demobilization and 25,664 128,658 25,664 Reintegration Experiences (Observatorio para la Paz) 10 Institntional Strengthening of CONFEPAZ and Research 74,550 88,067 28,547 Project on War-Handicapped Persons 11 Virtual Library aud Research Center on Ethnic Minorities & 53,070 68,923 28,149 Human Rights (Fundacion Hemeral 12 Volo Visible: Website on congressional and presidential 42,924 48,283 21,072 candidates (Revista Seman3 & Transparencia) 13 Community Strengthening for Development, Indigenous 22,007 23,507 6,338 Culture and Conflict Resolution 14 Entrepreneurial and Psychosocial Support to War- handicappe'-' Persons 52,178 73,781 34,776 (Fundacion Amigos de los Limitados) 15 Congreso & Candidatos Visibles (Universltv of Los Andes) 65,470 105,902 32,820 16 Private Sector Research & Perspedive on Peace 103,569 221,943 51,784 Negotiations (Fundacion ,

Totals 1,427,579 4,585,512 641,417

Chart 3: Comparison between budgeted and distributed dollar amount (by project)

300,000

250,000

200,000

150,000

100,000

50,000

o 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

[]Disbursed iii Budget

/fJ I 001 Title: Community Strengthening Coverage: Cauca, Valle del Cauca for Peace, Recovery and Conflict Resolution Strategy: Rec.onciliation & Assistance Duration: 5 Months (Extended for to Victims ._- Distribution) Direct Beneficiaries: 5,000 members of Indirect Bens: -- beneficiary families Diluted Impact: 25,000 persons in Total Budget: US $1,850,846 beneficiary communities Pro!!. Contribution: US $238,919 "Disbursement: US $128,495

Implementing VALLENPAZ I Other Partners: Investment Fund for A!!encv: Peace,FlP Description & Status: (Ongoing)

This project was proposed to USAID by VALLENPAZ, an NGO founded in 1999 and dedicated to working with war-affected populations in the departments of Valle del Cauca and Cauca, primarily through community-led organization and agricultural development. The project is developed in three municipalities of Valle del Cauca with 1,000 families or 5,000 persons, considered to be heavily affected by the ongoing violence in this department. Activities include a series of workshops with potential beneficiaries to consolidate productive associations and promote alternative dispute resolution at the local level. A second phase focuses on technical training in design, formulation and administration of productive micro-projects. In the third phase, special attention will be given to women heads of family in providing seed money for a revolving credit fund for household agricultural production; the Investment Fund for Peace (FlP, for its Spanish initials) will support agricultural development with these families, starting in late January and with an estimated budget of764,561 USD .

In October, VALLENPAZ continued the process of presenting the project to selected beneficiaries and developing jointly the work plans for each municipality. During this period, 870 beneficiaries participated actively, including 460 men and 413 women heads ofhousehold. Regarding the organizational aspect, 23 groups have been formed in Pance (2) Jamundi (10) and Buenos Aires (11). Regarding the community training aspects ofthe project, VALLENPAZ had programmed workshops in the areas ofHuman Capital (self-esteem, gender, conflict resolution) Development (entrepreneurial leadership and community organization) and Production Techniques (environmental and technical sustainability; pre and post harvest management). Forty-five of the 46 workshops have been carried out. Likewise, the establishment of the Revolving Fund was started during this quarter, as planned.

To ensure practical learning and to prepare beneficiaries for the funds to arrive from FlP, in the next quarter 19 communal gardens will be set up to benefit 250 families.

J~ Training in "Mary Lopez" village of Conflict Resolution workshop in "EI Llanito" Buenos Aires - Cauca village Buenos Aires - Cauca I 002 Title: Strengthening ofthe ICoverage: Choco, Meta, Santander Colombian Confederation ofl & Quindio NOOs ------~------7 Months ~;::~~:neJ1Ciaries:~~9~J5~0~~§~w;i~~r~_~i~~~_~~~ens:---- 2,000 Database Users Diluted Impact: 10,000 beneficiaries of , Total Budget: US $176,784 CCOl'lQpr()je~t~_ I -·-1·-----··· ------Pro!!. Contribution: US $121,394_____. ____ lPisbur~e",-,!,,-t: US $40,951 Implemellting CCONG IOther Partllers: Corpometa & Asopetrol At:£!t9': _____.-1. =,~._--- .------Description & Status: (Ongoing)

Since it was created in 1989, the Colombian Confederation ofNGOs has grown in membership and presently represents II departmental federations comprised by 54% ofNGOs in the country dedicated to social development issues. This project aims to build the capacity of CCONG to provide real benefits to its members in terms of networking and fundraising support. CCONG will work with 5 regional federations to increase cooperation among NGOs specialized in peace promotion, build a database of NGO projects and unfinanced proposals and document lessons learned in peace promotion by the participating NGOs. One important foreseen impact of CCONG's activities is to improve coordination between government and civil society by enhancing a practical working relationship with the "Employment in Action" program financed under Plan Colombia.

A total of 227 NGOs are participating in the project: Choco (25) Santander (21) Quindio (30) Corpometa (145) and Asopetrol (6). The first event was carried out in the third week ofOctober in Bogota with representatives from each federation. During this workshop, CCONG signed cooperation agreements for the implementation of this project with each of these, following a presentation of the project's goals and methodologies. Another important exercise at this workshop was the establishment of baseline information that will allow CCONG to assess the impact ofthe institutional strengthening activities carried out under the project.

According to the schedule ofTraining Workshops, the first ofthese was carried out in Bogota on December 13-14 on Mapping. At this event, the database on NGO presence and activities was revised and updated.

Members ofparticipatinf! federations enf!af!ed in mappinf! exercise (Bof!otti. December 14) I 003 Title: Reconciliation through ICoverage Magdalena Medio Assistance for Victims of I Conflict in Magdalena rl Medio Strategy: Reconciliation & Assistance Duration 12 Months to_Yictill1s___~______~______Direct Beneficiaries: 1,000 persons in beneficiary ,IIndirect Bens: -- - __Jatnilies--- Diluted Impact: 2,500 persons in beneficiary----i----Total BUdget:------US $126,496 l7!J.g. Contribution: -Drn!r;Y=~___~]p~Iitrsement: US $32,760 Implementing Comisi6n Vida y paz iOther Partners: -- Agency: Di6cesis de I Barr.ancab~l"IIl~j~ ___.L. ___ Description & Status: (Ongoing)

In similar fashion to the VALLENPAZ project described above, this project aims to promote reconciliation at the local level by providing directed assistance to victims of conflict. The project was proposed by the Dioceses ofBarrancabermeja ofthe Catholic Church to be managed by their social action branch, the Comision Vida y Paz. The Comision began working in Magdalena Medio in human rights and grassroots development projects in 1994 and have carried out projects in civic education, legal aid, conflict negotiation and systematization of peace initiatives. The Comision requested the assistance of the Peace Program in order to assist 100 vulnerable families who have been victimized by the conflict through the loss of a family member or other gross violations to human rights. These 100 families, selected on a case-by- case basis will be given psychosocial and/or legal assistance - ifnecessary - and supported in the establishment ofsmail productive projects.

Through the end ofthe reporting period, Comisi6n Vida y Justicia had contracted and provided orientation for the project team, including a Coordinator, a Clinical Psychologist, a Lawyer and two promoters. The project has also been presented to key actors, particularly in the Church, in San Pablo, Cantagallo, Sabana de Torres, and Barrancabermeja. Also, project beneficiaries have been pre-selected in each of these municipalities and four workshops have been carried out with beneficiaries in Puerto Wilches and Barrancabermeja. Legal support is being provided to 5 families and psychosocial support is being provided to a further four families.

Project Beneficiaries in Barrancabermeja

16 I 004

Title: Sumas y Restas: Movie on II Coverage: Antioquia the Personal and Societal I Dangers ofthe Drug Trade I 1--.,------_iJ:)llc1l11J')iaXroducciones)--1-____------~=-=--::----I Strategy: Civil Society Participation - IDuration: 4 Months l-cc,----c,---::~~--- __ ..l\1<::~~~ge_I3r()adcastillg_J------cc~=--cc---cc---I Direct Beneficiaries: 128 "natural actors" IIndirect Bells: 10,000 viewers in target f-=-::c--c:-::--~------I------c~;;-.=c-~--o=-~Iaudience J2iluted IIIlJ1il.£f.:-__ _},QQQ,OOQ rnovie..'!i<::V>'e!s__I]otaL~ud~t: US $1, I08,367 ~~ Contri!JUtio"l. US_~52,015 ___!Disb!l,:si!!'!ellt: US $52,015 Implementing Ducha Fria Producciones IOtller Partners: Ministry ofCulture, Agency: i Caracol and a private I-;::--;--;---;;-c;:;:-,--,--c;;c---:--:------1______enterprise ofSpain Description & Status: (Ongoing)

Financial assistance for the filming and production of this new movie was requested by Victor Gavirira, the acclaimed Colombian director of La Vendedora de Rosas and Rodrigo D. No Futuro. Like these other movies, Sumas y Restas is the gritty story of some of Colombia's impoverished and disenfranchised inner-city residents and aims to increase social awareness on the issues faced by these people. Sumas y Restas is set in Medellin, the capital city of the department ofAntioquia, the one-time operating center of Pablo Escobar and arguably the most violent city in the world. The movie aims to demonstrate how the narco-trafficking has permeated every level of Colombian society and led to the destruction of the country's social fabric, as well as the lives of involved or unlucky Colombians. The movie is co-sponsored by the Ministry ofCulture and a Spain-based producer, but lacked essential funds to start filming.

To date, the component financed by the Peace Program has been completed; filming started in mid-August and was completed on December 19. Post-production is scheduled to start in Januarv and finish in Mav ofnext vear.

Footagefrom tile Sumas y Restas Movie,filmed in Medellin I 005 Title: Strengthening ofthe Office Coverage: National ofthe High Commissioner for Peace StrateJ!J': As above Duration: 11 months Direct 60 Public Officials Indirect Bens: 5,000 Persons involved in Beneficiaries: Peace Process; 2,000 users ofIdeas para la Paz database Diluted Imoact: Colombia Total Budget: US $200,000 Prog. Contribution: US $200,000 ,Disbursement: US $53,139 .. ~--L Implementing Various, including direct iOther Partners: -- Agenc.v: implementation b~ 10M i Description & Status: (Ongoing)

Institutional support to the Office of the High Commissioner for Peace is a program component ·.01 that was established in the original proposal as a means of improving the quality of the Government of Colombia's (GOC) participation and leadership in the National Peace Process. Through a series of meetings with representatives from this Office, USAID and 10M, a simple procedure has been developed to facilitate the identification and approval ofspecific interventions to address the needs of the High Commissioner. According to Colombian laws and as a means of avoiding lengthy bureaucratic procedures, all components will be implemented directly by 10M or by a third non-governmental party.

The first approved sub-project involved the purchase of Information Technology and Communications equipment needed by the High Commissioners Office for information processing, documentation and satellite communications for field-based personnel. The High Commissioner's Office also requested some 320 books to build-up an internal reference center with national and international documentation on peace processes and negotiations. Eighty percent of the equipment requested by the High Commissioner's Office had been purchased and delivered, pending several items for which USAID permission has been requested. All books available in Colombia had been purchased and delivered, pending foreign purchases.

The second approved sub-project is a systematization of all existing documentation on Peace Processes in Colombia, to be designed and implemented by the NGO, Ideas para la Paz. Although contractual arrangements were not completed until the end of this quarter, the project team has already been contracted; the team has started interviews and gathering ofdocuments at the Office ofthe High Commissioner for Peace.

The third approved sub-project is the contracting ofspecialized consultants to research and present information on the negotiations with the FARC (specifically on the demilitarized zone) as well as on the legal situation ofdemobilized guerrilla combatants. I 006 Title: Peace & Negotiation Coverage: Bogota, Coastal Region Training at the Academic and Community Levels Stratetnl: Civil Society Participation Duration: 8 Months Direct Beneficiaries: 700 students and local Indirect Bens: 3,500 students and leaders community members DilutedImDact: -- Total Budf!et: US $123,313 PrOf!. Contribution: US $92,461 Disbursement: US $32,713 Implementing CONFECAMARAS and Other Partners: Network ofUniversities Aeencv: Observatorio pa!:ll_!a Paz for Peace ( 'A7I Description & Status: (Ongoing)

This project was designed as a joint endeavor between three sectors of Colombian civil society: academia, the private sector and NGOs, represented in the Network ofUniversities for Peace, the Federation ofChambers ofCommerce and the Observatorio para la Paz, respectively. In essence, the project supports these organizations to develop a model for teaching Colombian citizens the historical context ofcurrent conflict and peace processes, accompanied by more practicalleaming in conflict resolution mechanisms at the local level. The model is then applied as a pilot in two settings: first in universities and second in marginal neighborhoods surrounding Bogota. Although these are the central objectives of the project, it is worth noting the value-added of this project; namely, start-up support to the CONFECAMARAS-implemented and United Nations-supported Center for Conflict Solution opened in December of this year, and increased incorporation of university staffand students into community efforts.

As contractual negotiations were finalized toward the end of the reporting period, the project is programmed to start in the first month of2002. I 007 Title: Media Professionalization, Coverage: Bogota; Antioquia, Research Project and Caqueta, Valle del Journalism Website Cauca, Santander, Narifio & Cordoba Strate2V: ___ CivilJlociety ParticiQation l!.u.ration: II months Direct Beneficiaries: 2,500 Journalists and regular Indirect Bens: 5,000 occasional Web Web Site users Site users DilutedImpact: Journalists in Colombia Total BudJ!et: US $130,966 Prof!. Contribution: US $109,349 Disbursement: -0-

Implementing Medios para la Paz I Other Partners: National and Regional Af!encv: ._------Media Description & Status: (Completed)

This project is a follow-up to a pilot financed by the USAID Office of Transition Initiatives in early 2001, in which Medios para la Paz proved to be a responsive and responsible partner in peace efforts centered on the role ofjournalism in Colombia. The project is comprised by two components: the first is continuation of the Web Site, installed with OT! funds, which includes links and press briefs on the conflict and peace in Colombia, tools for better journalism and an interactive forum in which journalists can request practical advice. The second component is a research project, designed following a hypothesis that the murders and-threats faced by journalists in Colombia - particularly in the field - can be averted to a large extent by better practices by the journalists themselves. The research and its dissemination to press managers and writers will focus in the departments of Cundinamarca, Caqueta, Antioquia, Valle del Cauca, Santander, Narifio and Cordoba.

This project was approved on December 20 by USAID; contractual negotiations and project start- up are programmed for January ofnext year. I 008 Title: Construction ofa Gender- Coverage: Bogota, Antioquia, Valle Focused Proposal for Peace del CaucalNational Nel1:otiations Strate(IJJ: Civil Societv·Particioation Duration: 10 Months Direct Beneficiaries: 700 women Indirect Bens: 15,000 in women's groups, web-site users and recipients ofAgenda for Peace

DilutedImnact: -- i Total Budeet: US $96,445 Prof'. Contribution: US $86,888 Disbursement: $19,054 Implementing HUMANIZAR -1,Other Partners: Various women's groups Avencv: . ------_._----_._-.- Description & Status: (Ongoing)

This project addresses an urgent need in the Colombian peace talks to incorporate a gender- focused approach to the negotiations and, specifically, to ensure that the priorities and the skills of women are fully applied to peace processes at the national and local level. The project proposed by Humanizar has two important components: the first is a kind ofcounter-proposal to the male-dominated agenda for peace negotiations espoused by the GOC and the armed groups, and the second involves a more local approach to empowering women to participate in the civil society movement towards peace, through training and network building.

To date, Humanizar has contracted the team for this project and contacted academic and civil society organizations throughout the country; the National University and the universities- of Valle and Antioquia, have committed to supporting the project. As a first step toward constructing the gender-focused Agenda, Humanizar has completed the bibliographical research on war, peace process and gender. The second programmed step is a kind of inventory of women's organizations; this has been completed for the departments ofCundinamarca, Valle del Cauca and Boyaca. In December, Humanizar drafted the materials to be used in the regional forum and workshops, planned for the next quarter.

201 I 009 Title: La Decision de San Mateo: ICoverage: National Movie on Demobilization & i Reinteg~atioll~xJleriences 1_. . Strategy: Civil Society Participation -I Duration: 2 Months .. Message)3.r.oacicastinL_l. Direct Beneficiaries: 50 former combatants Indirect Bens: 200 former combatants in NGOs; 250 former child soldiers ..._------_.._•...... _- -~--,---~--_.•..-._.. J!il!ItedJmpact_:__-.J~800-,-OOO.t~le.vi~i()n\,ie.\\,ers_XotalBu([get: US $128,658 l'!:!!&..Contripution: _._...... lJS_$2~&64_...... _ pisburs(!lIll'.n.~: US $25.664 Implementing Observatorio para la Paz Other Partners: Redepaz, Ministry ofthe Agency: Interior, Fundacion Nuevo Arco Iris ...... -.. __...... -- Description & Status: (Completed)

This project was started with seed money from USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives (OT!) earlier this year and received additional assistance from several NGOs and the Ministry of Interior's Reintegration Department. As the project expanded in filming sites and technology, as well as in duration - from a one hour TV special to a full-length film - Observatorio para la Paz requested additional assistance from USAID Mission to Colombia to complete post-production.

In the months of July and September, all post-production activities were completed and the film tl "La Decision de San Mateo" was presented on the 13 ' ofSeptember in the National Museum with an audience of 300 people. Similar inaugural events were carried out in Medellin and Bucaramanga. The first showing on television was aired on December 16 on the national Channel I to an audience estimated at 380,000. Dissemination will continue through regional channels, including Telecaribe, as well as in forum events sponsored by Redepaz, the Reinsertion Department ofthe Ministry ofthe Interior, the Javeriana University, the Mayor's Office ofBolivar (Cauca) among others.

Movie Poster I 010 Title: Institutional Strengthening Coverage: Antioquia ofCONFEPAZ and Research Project on War- HandicaDDed Persons Strategy: Reconciliation & Assistance Duration: 9 Months to Victims Direct Beneficiaries: 210 present & projected Indirect Bens: 2,000 persons assisted in members follow-UD activities DilutedImpact: War-handicapped Total Budget: US $88,067 population ofColombia Prof!. Contribution: US $74,550 i Disbursement: US $28,547 Implementing CONFEPAZ iOther Partners: Fundaci6n Amigos de Af!ency: "_____ ---l.___"__ los Limitados Fisicos -"- "._.------_._._. Description & Status (Ongoing):

CONFEPAZ is an organization comprised by ex - military and guerrilla combatants who were handicapped while engaged in the conflict. The resources provided by the Peace Program aim to support the NGO in providing assistance to other war-handicapped persons, but aims simultaneously to increase awareness in Colombia on this operational model of reconciliation. For this reason, the project includes social communication components to promote CONFEPAZ activities nationwide through radio and, eventually, audio-visual media. Likewise, the project will institutionally strengthen CONFEPAZ by providing basic equipment and technical assistance in carrying out a survey on war-handicapped persons in the Department ofAntioquia.

During this quarter, CONFEPAZ started the fieldwork component from Medellin, beginning with a meeting with 50 ex combatants brought together by the Corporaci6n Guayacan. A survey instrument was designed and piloted with 20 handicapped military persons and ex guerrilla combatants. Later the revised instrument was applied to 80 other handicapped persons in Corporaci6n Guayacan and the armed forces ofMedellin.

In November, a meeting was held between Fundaci6n Amigos de los Limitados and CONFEPAZ to agree on the coordination between these two subgrantees; CONFEPAZ will select 80 ofthe 100 beneficiaries to be supported by Amigos and will help to identify employment opportunities for these 80 persons. CONFEPAZ has already started work on the National Directory ofServices for Handicapped Persons; 94 organizations have been contacted to this end.

Regarding the component for awareness-raising on CONFEPAZ; the organization has achieved a great deal of exposure in this period. They have been interviewed for the "Territories ofPeace" program on RCN radio and by the NTC television station. Their story has been told on a popular RCN radio show called "Confidential," in several newspapers. On the 25th of December, their story will be aired on a popular television show, originally supported by the OTIIlOM Peace Grants program, called "Cr6nicas de Paz" with an estimated audience of 1,800,000 persons. The organization published a pamphlet to tell the story of its founding, as well as its mission and activities. CONFEPAZ has participated in several regional and national seminars, including the Peace Process and Reinsertion seminar held in Bogota on November 28 - 30. On the 10th of December, CONFEPAZ received an honorable mention at an important national event, held in the Col6n Theater in Bogota: The National Peace Prize. It is worth noting that only 5 organizations were honored at this event, includinl!: the annual prize winner, out of200 submissions. CONFEPAZ Office Fieldwork in Antioquia

I 011 Title: Virtual Library on Ethnic iCoverage: National __~_~~ !'v1i~!i!ies_&_ Human RightS' ._.. _ 4t.!a.1!lJJ!.: __\\T()rk..,,:itl1_E){cluded Groujls Duration:__ 9 Months Direct Beneficiaries~_ 2;~~;~~~~~~Ss:;~d~'~i~:c~~ens:_r . _5,000 Occasional users Diluted Impact: Ethnic Minorities in i Total Budget: US $68,923 Colombia .f'IlJ.g. ContributJon:------lJ§_~?3,070-=~~-~Iz)isk~;s~m"nt:----- US $28,149 Implementing Fundaci6n Hemera ' Other Partners: 4g{!llcx:~ ~ .___ ~ ~ Description & Status: (Ongoing)

The scarcity of reliable statistical information on ethnic minorities in Colombia represents an obstacle to designing appropriate assistance projects and policy-making. Fundaci6n Hemera proposed a nationwide census of ethnic minorities and a dissemination strategy based around the construction of an Internet Web Site. The site includes results of the census, but also a forum mechanism to promote dialogue on issues affecting ethnic minorities, including the conflict, and a link to news on human rights violations to ethnic minorities. Likewise, the Site will make accessible information on Indigenous Law, Human Rights incidents, existing research and a photo gallery, through databases to be published on the Internet.

To date, the Web Site is accessible to the public by Internet, but several ofthe databases are not operational due to technical difficulties. The Hemera team started training during this quarter to ensure that this information was programmed properly for Internet use. The first edition ofthe Virtual Newspaper was published on the 26th ofNovember and covered the National Gathering of Indigenous Peoples, that took place in Cota, Cundinamarca during this quarter. The first chat room has been designed - the selected topic is Law and Territorial Autonomy - to be installed in January. Six indigenous organizations have requested that their web sites be accessible by link to the Hemera Site. ",...,"" ...... """"'"''" ...'""~'''"n '-...r"'" ""'OCO',.,..~''''' lo:

Web Page Indigenous leaders from Putumayo tribes of Inganos y Wilotos at Hemera office

I 012 Title: Voto Visble: Website on ICoverage: National congressional and _~ 0- _____ presidentialcandi<]ates ___ ------~

StraJt!~: Peace___and~___ ~Electoral__ • .___ -----_0_0Process______- _ ___Duration:______8 Months Direct Beneficiaries: 5,000 regular Web Site users Indirect Bens: 15,000 Occasional Web

____.0-- Site users Diluted Impact: National al US $48,283 - ---~._--- l'°L lludget: J7!!I!!-Contributio~~____JJS_~4],~~~ ___ Pisbu~selllent~__ US $21,072

Implementing Revista Semana & I Other Partners: National Media ~gencv: Transparencia ~ Companies Description & Status: (Ongoiltg)

This project is the first to be approved under the component of Peace and Electoral Process, representing an effort by the Peace Program to contribute to democratic elections, specifically by improving access to voters on congressional and presidential candidates. Through an Internet site, this project provides a link to bibliographical information on each candidate (to Congreso y Candidatos Visibles) responses to questionnaires, investigative reporting on possible cases of platform-to-practice inconsistencies and corruption and an interactive forum for discussion of candidates. There is a special focus in this electronic information service on information on the candidates relationship to armed actors and his or her proposals for peace.

As contractual negotiations were finalized at the end ofthe reporting period, project activities are prolITllmmed to start in Januarv. I 013 Title: Community Strengthening Coverage: Putumayo (Orito) for Development, Indigenous Culture and Conflict Resolution Stratef!Y: Work with Excluded Groups Duration: 6 Months Direct Beneficiaries: 700 Embera Katio Indirect Bens: 500 members ofother ethnic grOUPS DilutedImpact: -- Total Budf!et: US $23,507 Prof(. Contribution: US $22,007 IDisbursement: US $6,338 Implementing Asociaci6n Embera Katio de iOther Partners: Mayor's Office Af!encv: Orito , Description & Status: (Ongoing)

The Embera Katio are an indigenous tribe originating in Colombia's north; a small group arrived in Putumayo in the 1970s and settled in the southwestern valley, bordering Narifio. This tri- municipal area (Orito, San Miguel La Dorada and La Hormiga Valle de Guamuez) is the largest producer of coca in Putumayo and has been the most hotly contested area by paramilitaries and FARC guerrillas. The precarious arrangement between the two groups to allow paramilitary domination in the urban centers and FARC control elsewhere leaves peasants in a situation of forced quarantine, wherein they face great risks of being labeled sympathizers of one or another groups as they pass from one side ofthis invisible wall to another. Violence and fear in Puturnayo threaten not only the lives ofits residents, but also their livelihood as economic activity - that part ofit not controlled by the armed groups - is paralyzed and community structures are dismantled.

The Embera Katio program was designed by the youths of this community of less than ISO families as a means of building capacity in economic and agricultural planning, as well as in community organization and conflict resolution, to resist the erosive forces ofthe conflict.

As contractual negotiations were completed at the end ofthe reporting period, project activities are programmed to start in the beginning ofnext year. I 014 Title: Entrepreneurial and ICoverage: Antioquia Psychosocial Support to War-Handicapped Persons (Fundacion Amigos de los Fi~!£o~L Limitados __ --I Strategy: Reconciliation and IDuration: 10 Months Assistance to Victims , ------~--_.~--~------. .---_.---- '-"---'-~- ~I'ect Benejidaries: _LOO_handi~apl'e_dpesons __ ]ndirect Bens:__ 400 family members DilutedImpact: War-handicapped Total Budget: US $73,781 ______populati()n __ ....--_.. _---_.- --~ .... _~._-- --_._---_._..•._- --- US $34,776 Prog. Contribution: _US$52,J78 __ -_ ....-Disbursement: Implementing Fundacion Amigos de los Otller Partners: CONFEPAZ 4g~ncy: _ _"" ______Ljmitados - ---.-.---. -.. - -_._------Description & Status: (Ongoing)

Fundacion Amigos de los Discapacitados has been working with mentally and physically " handicapped persons in Antioquia since 1994. This organization, which over the years has developed solid experience in the area of psychosocial assistance, requested the assistance of the Peace Program to work with war-handicapped persons. The project was designed to support 100 persons, 80 of whom will be selected by CONFEPAZ during this organization's survey in Antioquia, to recover psychologically as well as economically. The income generation component will be important as a model of successful reintegration of war-handicapped persons into normal, civilian life - a model that will be useful to Colombia in the event ofa larger-scale peace-building or reparations process. The economic component begins with a self-selection phase in which beneficiaries decide whether to pursue a self-owned business or employment in the formal labor market. The former group will receive entrepreneurial training and technical assistance to develop business ideas; the latter group will receive vocational training and support in identifYing possible jobs in their municipalities.

To date, this project has received the in-kind contributions ofequipment provided by the project. In coordination with CONFEPAZ, a complete work plan has been designed and approved by 10M and coordination mechanisms between CONFEPAZ and the Fundacion have been established, including the formats required for remission of a beneficiary identified to CONFEPAZ to the Fundacion assistance project.

Offices ofArnigos de los Lirnilados, where beneficiaries will receive assistance

Zl I 015 Title: Congreso & Candidatos Coverage: National Visibles Stratef!V: Peace and Electoral Process Duration: 7 months Direct Beneficiaries: -- Indirect Bens: -- Diluted Impact: 500,000 recipients of Total Budget: US $205,902 information on candidates Pro/!. Contribution: US $65,470 Disbursement: US $32.820 Implementing University ofLos Andes Other Partners: National Media A/!encv: -.L__ Companies Description & Status: (Ongoing)

This project, submitted by University ofLos Andes to USAID, is the second to be approved under the component for Peace and Electoral Process and, like the Voto Visible project, is designed to improve the quality and access of information related to candidates. Unlike Voto Visible, this project does not include an investigative component, but intends to distribute basic bibliographical data and professional records ofall candidates into the hands ofat least 500,000 Colombians. The project includes educational campaigns in no fewer than 10 cities so that the dissemination of written information is accompanied by local teaching and dialogue, led by project partners such as the Church, local and regional media, schools, Chambers ofCommerce and various NGOs.

As most project activities occurring prior to 2002 are covered by a grant from the National Endowment for Democracy, the first disbursement to this project was not requested until the end ofDecember. Activities covered by the Peace Program will start in early January. I 016 Title: Private Sector Research & Coverage: BogotWNational Perspective on Peace Negotiations StratefnJ: Civil Society Participation Duration: 4 months DirectBeneficiaries: 581 public officials and Indirect Bens: 5,000 persons involved members oftrade boards in Peace Process Diluted Imoact: National Total Budf?et: US $221,943 PrOf? Contribution: US $103,569 Disbursement: US $51,784 Implementing Fundaci6n Empresaria1 Other Partners: Consejo Gremia1 and Agency: Chambers ofCommerce

----_.- Nationwide Description & Status: (Ongoing)

This project is part of a wider effort of the Peace Program to bring the so-called Civilian Movement for Peace closer to the recognized national peace process, by ensuring that the perspectives ofvarious sectors are made accessible to the negotiators and society at large. In this case, the Program is supporting the Council of Trade Guilds (Consejo Gremial) through an associated NGO called Fundaci6n Empresarial to develop concept papers on 8 subjects, including: Truce, Negotiated Political Settlement, Agrarian Policy, Economic and Social Structures, Justice, Political Reform, International Law and Formulation ofPeace Accords. The Consejo Gremial is tasked with ensuring that the concept papers reflect the expertise and opinions ofthe Guilds and, in this way, that they represent a concerted opinion of an important and influential sector of Colombia.

As contractual negotiations were completed at the end ofthe reporting period, project activities are scheduled to start in the first month of2002.