From October 10 to 13, 2024, Marco Rusconi, Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), undertook an official visit to Colombia, joined by Marco Rago, Legal Advisor to Minister Tajani for Economic Diplomacy and Development. The mission, marked by meetings with local institutions, partners, and beneficiaries of Italian Cooperation projects, underscored AICS’s commitment to promoting sustainable development and social inclusion in the country.
In Bogotá, Rusconi attended the launch of the Agrocadenas project, a €10 million initiative aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of Colombia’s agricultural sector. By strengthening the production chains of coffee, cocoa, avocado, and tropical fruits, the project aims to facilitate technology transfer and foster robust public-private partnerships between Italy and Colombia. This project represents a significant step towards sustainable and inclusive agricultural development, supporting peace-building efforts in vulnerable rural areas.
Continuing his mission, Director Rusconi traveled to Cartagena, a UNESCO World Heritage city, where he visited the historic city walls and key heritage sites that will benefit from a new €3 million AICS project. This initiative has a dual purpose: to strengthen the capabilities of local institutions in heritage preservation and to promote a more inclusive and sustainable tourism model. The activities will focus on restoring the city walls and the Cartagena Cathedral, with special emphasis on involving women and young people in vulnerable situations. Additionally, the project will encourage sustainable tourism practices, fostering active local community participation.
The mission concluded in Barranquilla, where Rusconi met with key stakeholders in the Almas project, implemented by the CESVI NGO to promote the socio-economic inclusion of Venezuelan migrant women. During the meeting, CESVI signed an important partnership with the Fondo Nacional de Garantías (FNG) to support financial inclusion for Venezuelan migrant women and host communities. This symbolic agreement with the National Guarantee Fund will facilitate credit access for micro-entrepreneurial initiatives. In his remarks, Rusconi emphasized the project’s role in advancing gender equality and strengthening the skills of migrant women.
AICS’s work in Colombia continues to play a crucial role in improving the socio-economic conditions of local communities, promoting inclusion, equality, and sustainability. This mission reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to building innovative, sustainable, and inclusive development initiatives in Colombia, particularly through public-private partnerships, research, and Italian expertise. These key concepts were discussed in a meeting with the Colombian Presidential Agency for Cooperation, exploring future collaborative perspectives.
