Cartagena, 08/18/2020

• Technological and stationery items were delivered to 19 cooperatives and associations of Farc-Ep ex-combatants to advance with their organizational strengthening processes, in order to make use of new technologies and market their products on digital platforms.
• The ex-combatants also received biosafety items for the prevention of Covid-19. 

Laptops, a 42-inch smart TV, a cell phone with a data package, a printer, a USB stick, stationery and biosafety items were supplied to 19 cooperatives and associations made up of 570 people in the process of reincorporation. This grant is part of the project "Stabilization and consolidation of peace through social and economic reincorporation of former members of Farc-Ep", implemented by Fundación Evolución Caribe (FEC) and the German Cooperation, in coordination with the governments of the departments of Bolívar and Sucre, and Cooperativa Economías Sociales del Común - Ecomún Co-op, with the support and management of the Agency for Reincorporation and Normalization (ARN). The purpose has been to strengthen the organizational and commercialization processes of the products of 19 associations and cooperatives made up of ex-combatants of the Farc-Ep, in the departments of Bolívar, Sucre, Cesar and La Guajira. In this regard, individuals in the process of reincorporation will also advance with their technical training through the digital literacy course. "Economic sustainability is fundamental to consolidate the present and future of ex-combatants, and to foster peace and reconciliation in the territories," said Hans Blumenthal, CEO at Fundación Evolución Caribe (FEC).

In turn, María Vitola González, ARN coordinator in the departments of Bolivar and Sucre, said thus: "We are pleased to see these grants materialize thanks to the coordinated work of FEC and the German Cooperation. We hope all 19 cooperatives and associations will continue to strengthen their productive projects and their communication processes".

Of the 19 associations and cooperatives that received the benefits, 9 are located in the department of Sucre, 7 in Bolívar, 1 in La Guajira – within the former Territorial Space for Training and Reincorporation ETCR Pondores – and 2 in the department of Cesar – at former ETCR Tierra Grata. The project for the stabilization and consolidation of peace through social and economic reincorporation aims to strengthen these associative forms, in their organizational, administrative, financial, productive and marketing capacities. "Our cooperative works in fish farming. We were in dire need of these supplies; the tech equipment will greatly help our organization, and we see significant improvement coming our way" – said César Navarro, member of Cooperativa Multiactiva Agro y Servicios de Colombia, Cooagrosercol co-op. Orlando de La Rosa, legal representative of the Integral Association of Bolivar, Asiagrobol , recognized the importance of these tools in the current situation: "We are grateful for this technological support; it is a huge step forward for us to have the necessary communication equipment, and to move forward amidst times of isolation, where virtuality is so necessary." 

Data of interest 

• 1,059 Farc-Ep ex-combatants are currently developing their reincorporation process in the Departments of Bolivar, Sucre, Cesar and La Guajira (as of July 31, 2020).