Name of the organization: Fundación Desarrollo y Paz (Development and Peace Foundation) – FUNDEPAZ
Title of the project: Empowering Migrants for Participation and Ownership in Regional Development (EMPOWERD)
Date of the update: December 4, 2024
In November, the EMPOWERD project, supported by OXFAM Italy, made significant progress in promoting migrant inclusion in Nariño’s municipalities of Tumaco and Ipiales (Colombia).
The activity Evidence-Based Research and Data Collection concluded successfully, laying the groundwork for the report Needs, Challenges, and Aspirations of the Migrant Community in Colombia. This research involved 138 Venezuelan migrants and local stakeholders, revealing limited migrant participation in territorial planning due to barriers like discrimination and lack of information. Urgent needs, including dignified employment, housing, and healthcare, were identified, and actionable recommendations were shared with local authorities.
Additionally, two meetings were held on November 18-19 in Tumaco under the activity Policy Engagement and Dialogue. Migrants analyzed the Together for a Tumaco Territorial Development Plan, resulting in two significant agreements: the inclusion of a migrant representative in the Territorial Planning Council and a future meeting with Tumaco’s Mayor to address migrant needs.
These initiatives underscore EMPOWERD’s commitment to fostering inclusion and empowering migrants to influence regional development processes.
