Colombia

The German Confederation of Cooperatives (DGRV) and its Colombian counterpart CFA Foundation have developed the “Apoyamos – Buen Vivir Rural, We Support, Good Rural Living” Project. This initiative seeks to foster a renewed appreciation for rural life, encouraging communities and small-scale farmers to take the lead in their own development and prosperity. The project’s strategy involves the establishment of productive networks, encouraging the creation of associative or co-operative organizations, and facilitating integration into wider economic and production systems. This approach not only helps identify and nurture new business opportunities but also empowers participants to create revenue-generating projects. Specifically, it targets vulnerable communities in areas identified as high priority by the project, aiming to bolster and potentially enhance their revenue streams while advocating for sustainable practices. This comprehensive support provided to the communities is structured around four key components, each designed to contribute to the overarching goal of stability, sustainability, and improved quality of life in rural areas:

This collaboration, dubbed the “Apoyamos” program, initially extended across various departments including Huila, Córdoba, and Risaralda, but now focuses its efforts solely in Antioquia.

Since 2022, “Apoyamos” has embarked on a unique venture called “Apoyamos Juventud,” aimed at energizing rural youth. This initiative is dedicated to fostering the active engagement of young adults aged 18 to 35 in both the economy and broader society. It employs a tailored methodology that not only empowers but also inspires these individuals to establish or join cooperative or associative organizations, with the purpose of fueling job creation and stimulating income generation in rural and semi-urban regions.

The endeavor to uplift rural youth has seen further expansion, thanks to partnerships with various regional cooperative unions: Confecoop Valle in Valle del Cauca, Confecoop Antioquia in Antioquia, and Confecoop Oriente in Santander and Norte de Santander. These collaborations function in synergy with the Specialized Savings and Credit Cooperative – Crediservir, and the Savings and Credit Cooperative – Coomuldesa, thereby weaving a stronger support network for these young entrepreneurs.