NP expects a decision on its funding proposal to the Belgian government (for a small team in the Meta region, working with Civipaz) by January/ February 2008.
A proposal to the Dutch government for the other regions identified in the NP project proposal will be submitted in December. There may be also a possiblity to apply with the German government for funds.
Otherwise there are currently no preparations for the project. We are first awaiting a positive result in fundraising, and then if eventually a grant comes through begin with the concrete preparations.
Project Preparation
There is nothing really new to report on Colombia. The fundraising efforts by consultant René Perea have continued through September, and three proposals have been handed in respectively are prepared to be handed in by October. If any of them is successful, we continue to hope to start the project in Colombia in early 2008.
Report written by Christine Schweitzer (Programme Director)
Project Preparation
In August, the fundraising work by René Perea has continued. Designated Programme Officer Jan Passion joined him for a week for a visit with two potential partner organisations in Cauca. We are now drafting two more applications, one to the EU (ECHO), the other to the Dutch government (for 2008).
Report written by Christine Schweitzer (Programme Director)
Project Preparation
In July, Fundraising consultant René Perea has continued his meetings with potential donors in Bogotá. One concrete proposal that is focussing on a team in Meta, working with the Civipaz community there, has been handed in to the Belgian government.
Report written by Christine Schweitzer (Programme Director)
Project Preparation
Consultant René Perea was joined in June by fundraising Director Agnieszka Komoch and for a shorter period also by Regional Coordinator Alvaro Ramirez Durini. René and Agnieszka visited a number of potential donors as well as other INGOs working in Bogotá, and with Alvaro they went to visit one of the communities that had received the NP exploratory team the year before: The community Civipaz in Meta.
Regarding the registration of NP, it was decided to delay that process until a concrete starting date of the project could be identified.
Project Preparation
In May consultant René Perea from Colombia has started his three-month work on fundraising for the planned project.
Report written by Christine Schweitzer (Programme Director)
In April, the Colombian government agreed to a temporary ceasefire proposed by the National Liberation Army ELN, the second-largest guerrilla group in the country.
A well-renowned international think tank/ pressure group, the International Crisis Group, has published a report on “Colombia’s New Armed Groups” in which they describe the emergence of new paramilitaries that are replacing those that have been demobilized sinced 2003 (www.crisisgroup.org).
Project Preparation
The situation in Colombia is reported by international agencies that work in the country to have deteriorated over the last month. In spite of the ongoing disarmament process of the paramilitaries, it seems that their influence in parts of the country increased, and new groups have formed. Also FARC increased its threats against NGOs.
The big political news in February have been that Colombian President Alvaro Uribe expressed willingness to directly talk to the FARC, the biggest left guerrilla group, about the release of prisoners. The move came on the fifth anniversary of the abduction of former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt. FARC suggests to exchange about 60 high-profile and foreign hostages for about 500 jailed guerrillas as a step towards peace talks.
Project Preparation
NP has started advertising for a three month consultancy position in Colombia . The task of that person sould be
In Colombia, the situation has remained mostly unchanged. The discussion about the role of the paramilitaries and their links to governing circles is ongoing. Political violence is in spite of government claims to the contrary unabated. Just recently two community leaders who represented victims of paramilitary violence was killed by gunmen.
Project Preparation
