Colombia - Cuso International

Work In Focus
Colombia

Our impact goes beyond employment… From advancing gender equity to fostering inclusive economic growth and building resilient communities, explore our work in Colombia.

The Cuso Effect

Smiling person with a red ribbon in hair, wearing a Cuso International shirt, in front of a blurred background.

14,241 participants were linked to formal employment

participants received soft skills, complementary or small business training

small entrepreneurs strengthened

direct recipients, of which 23,710 are women

Locally-Led Solutions

We know that one-size-fits-all solutions are yesterday’s thinking, that’s why we support hyper-localized solutions designed for any by the people, place and economy of Colombia.

Strengthening Economic Resilience for Vulnerable Communities Supporting Women, Youth, and Conflict Victims Training and Employment for Venezuelan Migrants Volunteer Program Strengthening Local Organizational Capacity

Strengthening Economic Resilience for Vulnerable Communities

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VENSIT

In the first five phases of project implementation, 554 participants were linked to formal employment, of whom 60.5% were women and 66.4% were Venezuelan migrants (56% women).

Also, 475 participants received certificates in complementary or socio-occupational training.

In phase VI of implementation as of September 15, 2024, 94 participants have been linked to formal employment, of which 53.2% are women and 41.5% are Venezuelan migrants (46.2% women).

A total of 453 participants have received career guidance, coaching, complementary socio-occupational or small business training; of which, 67 participants have received complementary socio-occupational training.

20 individual small enterprises and 4 collective small enterprises were identified and assisted in strengthening their businesses.

Supporting Women, Youth, and Conflict Victims

Training and Employment for Venezuelan Migrants

Person smiling, holding a bag on a balcony in Colombia with cityscape and mountains, working with Cuso International.

CARIS

At the end of the project, a total of 112 participants received training in soft or complementary skills, of which 48 participants received certified complementary training.

A total of 37 participants gained access to formal employment, of which 51.4% were women and 91.9% were Venezuelan migrants (52.9% women).

Volunteer Program Strengthening Local Organizational Capacity

Man in blue jacket and white hard hat smiling while operating a forklift for Cuso International in Colombia.

Sharing Canadian Expertise for Inclusive Development and Gender Equality (SHARE)

The volunteer program cooperates with partners from different sectors with the purpose of strengthening the capacity of local organizations, through an exchange of knowledge, experiences and best practices among volunteers and organizations to contribute to the sustainable development of communities.

From 2020 to 2024 we have impacted 28,405 direct recipients, of which 23,710 are women.

Nearly 20 organizations have been strengthened.

We have had 37 cooperants who have contributed to the strengthening of partner organizations and their installed capacity.

Partnership for a Sustainable and Inclusive World

Together with our partners we’re solving problems, creating solutions and building a more prosperous and inclusive world for all.

Colombia’s Voices of Change

Meet the people who have had the chance to experience the Cuso effect in Colombia.

SEE MORE STORIES

A person smiles, seated on a brown chair, in a green Cuso International Colombia shirt with pink gloves, colorful background.

“Starting my business being a Venezuelan migrant and in pandemic shook me, that's why I am grateful for all the technical and emotional support received because together with the passion I feel for art motivated me to start my barbershop BerlyFlow”

- Kimberly Armas, Participant in the IXD business strengthening project - Cali, Valle del Cauca.

Smiling person in a white chef's coat, sitting indoors with a yellow backdrop and Cuso International signage visible.

“I was born and raised among tamale leaves, I was wrapped in the smell of the stew, I counted corn in the palms of my hands and my teapot full of coffee...my mother was the source of inspiration for my business.”

- Luis Marino Santacruz, Participant in the IXD business strengthening project – Pasto, Nariño.

A person with blue hair using a laptop, while a blurred Cuso International Colombia poster hangs in the background.

“I lost job opportunities because of my physical appearance and sexual orientation. Therefore, it is important that companies have policies of inclusion of migrants, LGTBI+ people, because we are people, talents that contribute to the team.”

- Jennifer Marcano, Participant in IXD project - Company Listos -Cali, Valle del Cauca

Person in a white hard hat and blue shirt stands outside, representing Cuso International in Colombia.

“I'm a single mother and thanks to my work I have been able to raise my children, giving them a roof over their heads, food and education. We women are in a part of the plant and we have been able to carry out our work.”

- Diana Marcelo Ocoró, Participant in the SCOPE Employability project - Dimel Cali, Valle del Cauca