World University Service of Canada

Published purpose

This project aims to improve the social and economic well-being of communities living where there are extractive activities. The project provides resources to regional and municipal governments and their communities to improve their ability to identify, plan and manage projects that contribute to local development. This project also supports partnerships that bring together governments, communities, civil society organizations and private sector companies to support local development. This project is part of the Andean Regional Initiative – Promoting Effective Partnerships for Local Development, which also works in Bolivia and Peru. This project has three components:(i) institutional capacity building to help local governments plan, manage and implement sustainable development investments and associated public services based on community needs; (ii) knowledge sharing to develop and share knowledge on corporate social responsibility methods, results, lessons learned and best practices; and (iii) setting up Local Funds that support local initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable community development in partnership with the private sector/extractive companies. To date there are six local development sub-projects being implemented through the Local Fund in Colombia.