International Development Grant
Agricultural Alternatives Program
Project Number: CA-3-A032187001
Status: Closed
Country/Region:
Maximum Contribution: $4,927,685.00
Start Date: March 11, 2004
End Date: May 31, 2010
Duration: 6.2 years
Project Description
This project aims to develop environmentally sustainable and economically sound agricultural programs that can present an alternative to growing coca in rural regions of Columbia. Ecofondo is a network of 200 NGOs that work together in order to develop agricultural projects and programs that aim to be environmentally sustainable. The economic viability of the programs contributes indirectly to conflict prevention by providing people in rural areas with peaceful ways to earn their living and decreasing the chances of recruitment in illegal armed groups. The project is active in 10 regions of the country and focuses on three self-reinforcing sectors: 1) agricultural production; 2) environmental conservation and ; 3) institutional strengthening and policy development in the field of ecological agriculture and environmental conservation.
Progress & Results Achieved
Results as of June 2010 when the project ended include: 1 360 families in ten sub-regions of 17 of the 32 departments of Colombia are benefitting directly from the project with their regular monthly incomes increasing to above US$200 from the previous US$135 per month. Each family significantly reduced its monthly expenditures produced the equivalent of US$95 per month in food supplies for its own consumption and reduced its monthly spending on food by US$62. 2 250 children now have permanent access to a balanced and nutritional diet of fresh and healthy foods produced on family land holdings. 5 099 persons were trained in agro ecology organisational processes and environmental conservation.
Key Information
Executing Agency:
ECOFONDO
Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada
Program:
NGM Americas
Last Modified:
September 19, 2025
Development Classifications
DAC Sector:
Aid Type: Project-type interventions
Collaboration: Bilateral
Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation
Selection Mechanism:
Pre-APP