Job satisfaction in the field–Discovery Channel

In 2007, the residents of Cocorná were forcibly displaced due to armed conflict. In response, FEST (Families on Their Land) emerged as a government initiative to holistically support those who, as victims of displacement, chose to return voluntarily and rebuild their lives.

A decade later, the Antioqueños returned with renewed determination, launching projects and associations that transitioned from artisanal to agro-industrial ventures. For years, violence left Cocorná uninhabited, but today, its residents have returned with a strong desire to reclaim their homes and lands. They established an association that enables direct sales to consumers, evolving from small-scale artisanal production to more advanced agro-industrial practices.

FEST plays a crucial role in the socioeconomic stabilization of households affected by forced displacement, fostering human and social capital, ensuring food security, improving living conditions, and promoting sustainable livelihoods.

In 2016, Social Prosperity and Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) implemented complementary projects to strengthen community-led initiatives. These efforts encompassed health, education, housing, sanitation, and food security. Through rigorous intervention, ongoing support, and strategic alliances, these initiatives have contributed to lasting success for over a decade.

Recovered communities and culture-Discovery Channel

In June 2009, violent clashes between illegal armed groups forced residents of the KM 28, Chilvicito, and Pindales villages along the Pasto-Tumaco Road to flee to urban centres, leaving them without the necessary resources to navigate unfamiliar environments.

Over the years, these displaced communities faced immense challenges. However, a group of women leaders took the initiative to rebuild their lives, returning to their lands to restore their culture and livelihoods. They focused on improving food accessibility and self-sufficiency, exploring sustainable solutions to enhance productivity and strengthen community leadership.

Social Prosperity, in partnership with the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF), has supported thousands of people in Colombia through various projects, including FEST (Families in Their Land). This program contributes to the socioeconomic stabilization of displaced households by reinforcing human and social capital, ensuring food security, improving living conditions, and fostering the development of sustainable livelihoods. 

In KM 28, Chilvicito, and Pindales, the community built three huts with vegetable gardens and recycling centres while also engaging in educational and community-driven projects. 

To further support these efforts, the Colombian Government has designed, developed, and executed hundreds of complementary projects to enhance community-led initiative. These projects span various sectors, including health, education, housing, sanitation, food security, income generation, environmental sustainability, industrial safety, and institutional support for public, private, and grassroots organizations.

The success of these interventions is rooted in rigorous implementation, ongoing support, and respectful collaborations with diverse sectors, strengthened by strategic alliances. Over more than a decade, organizations like Social Prosperity and PADF have achieved significant, positive outcomes through their commitment to empowering and working alongside these communities.