Sustainable Opportunities for Employment in Colombia Ecuador and Peru

This project aims to improve inclusive economic growth and socio-economic integration in Colombia Ecuador and Peru by providing market-driven training and employment opportunities for Venezuelan refugee and migrant populations and members of host communities in nine cities: Arequipa Barranquilla Bogotá Cali Callao Guayaquil Lima Medellin Piura and Quito. The project seeks to increase the ability of local authorities and private sector partners to develop and implement inclusive employment policies and practices for vulnerable populations particularly Venezuelan refugees and migrants. Project activities include: (1) developing relationships with private sector partners to support gender-responsive and inclusive employment initiatives; (2) providing social services including services that provide information on basic human and labour rights of poor and vulnerable people to targeted beneficiaries particularly women and Venezuelan refugees and migrants; and (3) providing technical assistance to local and national government partners in nine cities to strengthen the capacity to design implement monitor and evaluate inclusive employment policies and programs for targeted groups particularly women facing increased vulnerabilities. Groups benefiting from this project include women youth victims of armed conflict people with disabilities Venezuelan refugees and migrants Colombian returnees and members of host communities.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) increased equitable and inclusive participation in the labour market by targeted groups particularly women facing increased vulnerabilities in targeted regions in Colombia Ecuador and Peru; and (2) improved practices of key local national and regional stakeholders including the private sector public sector and civil societies to promote equitable and inclusive socio-economic integration of targeted groups. This includes women facing increased vulnerabilities in targeted regions in Colombia Ecuador and Peru.