The SDC primarily focuses its efforts in Colombia on delivering basic services and strengthening protection for victims of conflicts. However, these efforts also extend to other areas, including water access, water management and sanitation projects.
Colombia

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Embassy |
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Mission / Delegation / Permanent Representation |
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Consulate general |
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Honorary representation |
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Cooperation office |
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Contribution Office |
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Embassy with Cooperation Office |
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Embassy with Regional consular center |
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Swiss Business Hub |
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Swissnex |
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City |
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Capital |
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Disputed border |
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River |
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Lake |
In 2012, the Colombian government announced that it would start formal peace talks with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). This process led to the adoption of several pieces of legislation, including the Victims and Land Restitution Act. Although roundly applauded nationally and internationally, certain factions continue to oppose these negotiations, and organised violence remains an intractable problem. The SDC concentrates its efforts in Colombia on alleviating the worrying humanitarian situation faced by the victims of conflict. Its general strategy is designed to advance the processes towards conflict resolution and reconciliation. SDC cooperation in Colombia comes in a range of forms, including bilateral and multilateral partnerships, as well as direct action.
Swiss Bilateral ODA |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 * |
---|---|---|---|
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) |
|
|
|
Bilateral development cooperation |
3.94 |
0.41 |
0.77 |
Humanitarian aid |
10.08 |
8.66 |
5.00 |
State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) |
|
|
|
Economic Cooperation and Development |
17.06 |
18.56 |
12.10 |
Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) |
|
|
|
Conflict transformation and human rights |
1.91 |
1.56 |
2.08 |
Total SDC/SECO/PHRD |
32.99 |
29.19 |
19.95 |
Other Federal Offices |
|
|
|
Other FDFA Divisions (ASAF, AIO, aso) |
- |
- |
.. |
Network of FDFA representations abroad |
0.83 |
0.82 |
.. |
State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) |
- |
- |
.. |
State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) |
0.14 |
0.14 |
.. |
MeteoSwiss |
- |
- |
- |
Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) |
- |
- |
- |
Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) |
- |
- |
.. |
Federal Statistical Office (FSO) |
- |
- |
- |
Total other Federal Offices |
0.97 |
0.96 |
- |
Cantons and municipalities |
0.93 |
.. |
.. |
Total |
34.89 |
30.15 |
19.95 |
Data status at 01.05.2023
* planned; total based on available data
.. = figures not available | – = nil or amount < 5'000 CHF
Humanitarian Aid
Delivery of basic services to victims of conflict
Emergency humanitarian aid covers the basic needs of conflict-affected communities by giving them access to drinking water, and providing them with food and primary health care. This action not only secures the livelihoods of vulnerable populations, but also builds their institutional and organisational capacities, thereby equipping them to participate in the reconciliation process. The SDC is particularly active in rural areas.
Land governance
Protectionfor victims of conflict: land restitution
The Victims and Land Restitution Act, which was adopted in 2011, includes a number of mechanisms to protect the civilian population. They draw on the «Do-No-Harm» approach, which seeks to ensure that aid does not become a new source of conflict. This approach comprises three main strands:
- strengthening institutions
- capacity building (individual level)
- knowledge management
The Minister of Agriculture is responsible for administering the Act according to this approach, and is assisted in this process by experts from the National University of Colombia together with CDA-Collaborative Learning Projects, an American organisation.
Engagement in fragile contexts and prevention of violent conflicts
Water
Guaranteeing vulnerable communities access to water; improving sanitation and water management
Everyone, especially those living in rural communities, is entitled to a sustainable supply of water, as well as adequate sanitation. As part of a public-private partnership, Swiss and Colombian firms studied household water consumption. Their findings paved the way for a pilot project designed to improve water management in Colombia. In turn, the knowledge and experience acquired during the project led to the launch of a second phase, this time involving seven major Colombian firms. The National Cleaner Production Centre (NCPC) coordinates the project.
History of cooperation
From humanitarian aid to transition support
In 2001, the SDC opened an office in Bogota to oversee its humanitarian programme designed to improve the living conditions of victims of armed conflict. Colombia has also been an SDC priority country since 2009.
Links
Documents
Current projects
2023 Annual Allocation to WFP Country Strategic Plans - Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Colombia, Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti
01.01.2023
- 31.12.2023
Against historic levels of food security due to conflicts, climate change and COVID-19, Switzerland supports annually in 28 SDC priority countries operations of the World Food Programme to provide humanitarian and development assistance. It funds indistinctively Country Strategic Plans, incorporating all WFP programmes or projects, based on affected population needs and potential synergies with other local partners, especially national governments and civil society.
Contribution to UNHCR Programme Budget 2023-2024 (earmarked)
01.01.2023
- 31.12.2024
UNHCR is one of Switzerland’s key multilateral partners due to its unique mandate by the General Assembly of United Nations to provide protection and assistance to refugees, asylum seekers, refugee returnees, and stateless persons. The strategic direction 2022-26 concretise the overall mandate of UNHCR for the upcoming years. Contributing to these directions allows Switzerland to achieve in particular the human development goal defined in the Dispatch to Parliament on International Cooperation for 2021-24.
WFP: Food assistance in Cauca. Strengthening food sovereignty and autonomy of the Nasa people
01.11.2022
- 31.01.2024
Due to the protracted armed conflict, many indigenous communities in the department of Cauca remain in a situation of vulnerability and food security crisis. The situation has worsened by internal challenges to consolidate peace, as well as by the impact of climate change, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and, more recently, the effects of the Ukraine crisis. In this scenario, SDC will support WFP with additional resources to complement its early recovery actions in favor of vulnerable communities, under the principle of saving lives, fostering recovery processes and strengthening their livelihoods, thus improving the food security of communities.
Regional Protection and Migration Programme
01.05.2022
- 15.11.2025
Latin America faces the second largest forced displacement crisis in the world with 7.1 million people forcibly displaced from Venezuela, Central America, the Caribbean and other continents. 6.2 million more are displaced in their own country. Persons in human mobility need protection against gender-based violence, exploitation and exclusion. In Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, Switzerland addresses causes and consequences of displacement, providing aid, striving for integration and supporting actors to protect the most vulnerable.
Cruz Roja Colombiana: Integración de población migrante y de acogida
01.12.2021
- 30.04.2023
COSUDE continuará apoyando a la Cruz Roja Colombiana a expandir su respuesta humanitaria y articularla a la integración socioeconómica de migrantes y refugiados venezolanos. Se trabajará en el nexo entre respuesta humanitaria y estabilización socioeconómica en Bogotá, Soacha y Santa Marta; contextos con múltiples riesgos de protección asociados a economías ilegales y conflicto armado, especialmente para mujeres, jóvenes y niños.
Integrated Mine Action Program Phase 1: 2021-2023
01.07.2021
- 31.03.2025
SDC will continue supporting Colombia to meet its international commitment to be free of landmines by 2025 (Ottawa Treaty), thereby contributing to the Peace Agreement and the 2030 Agenda. The first phase (2021-2023) of the Mine Action Programme will assist mine victims and affected communities with demining operations, protection measures and socioeconomic recovery. It will also support authorities in leading and coordinating the Mine Action sector.
MIRE+ Consortium
01.07.2021
- 30.11.2023
The humanitarian situation in Colombia remains critical. Due to the ongoing and intensifying activities of ilegal armed groups, large numbers of people endure violence, live under threats and have to leave their homes temporarily or permanently. Bearing in mind the recurrence of humanitarian needs in the affected regions, the MIRE+ Consortium -supported by SDC- aims at contributing to durable solutions and better conditions for resilience. It develops integral responses that address humanitarian needs and also boost the recovery of livelihoods and improve the access to basic services.
El Agua Nos Une - Water stewardship: evidence-based decisions
01.01.2021
- 31.03.2026
Based on Switzerland’s decade long experience on private sector engagement and empowerment of public institutions, El Agua Nos Une programme focuses on strengthening evidence-based decisions for better water governance, in 4 Latin American countries. It envisions systemic change towards corporate water use efficiency and pollution mitigation, mobilizing stakeholders and investments in ecosystem preservation; contributing to a more equitable society and responsible water use.
Water and Comprehensive Sanitation Project in Rural Areas (ASIR – SABA), Phase III

01.06.2020
- 30.06.2023
The ASIR-SABA Project aims to contribute to the sustainable management and governance of water and sanitation, as well as public health, as a contribution to the consolidation of peace in rural areas of the country. To achieve its objective, the project promotes dialogue between the different actors of the WASH sector in Colombia. It also aims to strengthen the capacities at the community and institutional level (national, departmental and municipal) for the co-management of water and sanitation in rural areas of the country. Based on the achievements capitalized by the project in its first and second phases and the challenges and opportunities identified with the different governmental actors of the WASH sector in Colombia, the SDC implements the third and final phase of the ASIR-SABA project.
UNMAS: Regional coordination for Mine Action
05.02.2020
- 04.10.2020
SDC will support UNMAS to consolidate and expand the Mine Action Authority (The Office of the High Counsellor for Peace - Descontamina Colombia) capacity to coordinate with regional and local authorities in 13 prioritized mine-affected departments, ass well as with other public socio-economic development policies. This will ensure transition period to new local and regional governments and the inclusion of Mine Action public policy in the general planning of 13 prioritized departments, facilitating the improvement of efficiency and efficacy of Mine Action in the field. It will build on a project previously financed by the UN Multipartner Trust Fund for Sustaining Peace, within the implementation of the Peace Accord and the MIne Ban Treaty's obligation to have a mine-free country.
CRC: Integration of migrants and host communities in Cali
01.11.2019
- 31.01.2021
SDC will support the Colombian Red Cross (Cruz Roja Colombiana, CRC) in improving cultural and socioeconomic integration of Venezuelan migrants, Colombian returnees and vulnerable host communities in Cali. This project will work on the nexus between responding to humanitarian needs and building conditions for socioeconomic stabilization among migrants, returnees and vulnerable population. It will take place in a context of protection risks especially for women, youngsters and children associated to illegal economies and armed actors.
HI: ACTIVA – Integrated mine action in Cauca and Nariño
15.05.2019
- 31.08.2021
SDC will support Humanity & Inclusion (HI) in contributing to peace, early recovery and socioeconomic development of indigenous, peasant and afro-descendant communities in the departments of Cauca and Nariño, under the Government Stabilization Policy. The focus of the third phase will be on a comprehensive approach (mine risk education, humanitarian demining, victim rehabilitation and advocacy) that involves recovery of community economies and infrastructure. It will bring a broader impact and better cost-efficiency relationship.