The Colombia Business in Development Hub is hosted by ANDI, the National Business Association of Colombia, a non-profit organization whose main purpose is to expand and promote economic, social and political principles within a free enterprise system, based upon beliefs that include human dignity, political democracy, social justice, private property and liberty.
Scoping was completed in 2013, with a wide range of stakeholders strongly engaged, with particular focus from two government agencies. An advisory Committee has been established comprising 32 institutions committed to supporting CBIDF goals. The CBIDF Hub formally started on 1st of February 2014.
Activities to date:
- Training in cross-sector partnership,
- Roundtables in 8 different regions, between March and May of 2014,
- Mapping of actors and current/potential projects,
- Major companies involved from different sectors including Unilever, Nestlé, Pepsi, Mineros and Continental Gold (mining), Co&Tex (textile)among others.
Focus:
Out of more than 40 current and other 5 new projects, 8 were prioritized according to the criteria for selection (inclusive business, mitigation and prevention of armed conflict, projects aimed to benefit vulnerable population). 8 projects have been chosen, one for each region of the country, in six areas: agriculture, textile, metallurgical industry, fish farming, innovation and transformation of products.
As the platform grows, the aim is to create a network of 8 partnership brokers, one for each of the regions, who can each develop partnerships while being supported centrally.