Colombia’s development situation in 2020 is dramatically different than what it was in 2015. The signing of the Peace Accord and the social and political instability in Venezuela have altered Colombia’s development landscape. These major changes have ushered in new opportunities and new challenges. USAID/Colombia’s 2020-2025 Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) faces this new situation directly. The Peace Accord presents a tremendous opportunity for peace, stability, and prosperity in Colombia. The CDCS’ first Development Objective (DO) consolidates peace gains by creating a more cohesive and inclusive society, thereby mitigating the conditions that contribute to violence. At the same time, the Peace Accord will potentially bring millions of citizens and formerly unreachable areas within the authority of the Colombian state. As such, the Colombian government must expand its presence to these areas and provide mechanisms to give these citizens voice and be responsive to their needs. The CDCS’ second DO does this by engaging citizens and making government systems more accessible and responsive to citizen needs. A Colombia with a consolidated peace and expanded state presence presents new opportunities for prosperity and equitable growth. The CDCS’ third DO, therefore, expands licit economies and creates new opportunities for Colombians to contribute to the national economy, allowing all Colombians to prosper. Meanwhile, the 1.3 million Venezuelans that have entered Colombia since 2015 are placing strains on receptor community systems and societies. These strains are enhanced by the return of Colombians who were displaced by the armed conflict. Therefore, the CDCS’ Special Objective will adapt to this new reality by increasing local capacity to absorb these new arrivals and plan for their possible long-term stay. Adapting to this emerging challenge and others reduces the risk they will undermine Colombia’s development gains and Journey to Self-Reliance.
This CDCS was developed and finalized in 2020 as COVID-19 became a global pandemic. USAID/Colombia will continue to monitor its potential impact and if needed, the Mission will re-evaluate the strategic approach.
