Colombia
Women, indigenous knowledge and climate resilience in focus amongst our Fieldwork Grant recipients
We are happy to share our most recent group of Fieldwork Grant participants here at ICLD! This year, 9 brilliant students presented their research on highly topical subjects for both our organization, the general state of the world and local democracy. Each of them had a unique perspective on pressing issues globally, and the execution…
Living Knowledge in a Changing Land
Indigenous communities in the Amazon are facing rapid socio-ecological changes that threaten traditional land management practices and food sovereignty. Indigenous knowledge and practices, essential for biodiversity conservation, are quickly being lost. I examine how changes in traditional land management affect Indigenous food sovereignty and its impact on the growth of women’s leadership in Mitú, Colombia.…
Unseen Spaces, Unheard Voices: Redefining Gender Roles to Enhance Women’s Political Impact in Guatemala and Colombia
Regional focus: South America – Colombia and Guatemala Time: September 2025 – May 2026 Abstract: This research project explores the role of gender social norms intersection in self-made spaces of participation (i.e. small cooperatives and informal local groups) and local governments “invited spaces” (i.e. street office, participatory budget, one-stop office, etc) and the impact those norms have…
Upplands-Bro and Maicao, Colombia
Project: Inclusive Employment & Rights – Advancing LGBTIQ+ Equality through Local Policy Upplands-Bro Municipality in Sweden and its partner Maicao in Colombia are planning a mutual learning process on how local governments can strengthen inclusive public policy that ensures the rights and economic participation of LGBTIQ+ individuals—especially women, youth, migrants, and indigenous people. The goal…
Who gets to take part: understanding intersectionality and barriers to political participation in Colombia
Regional focus: Latin America – Colombia Time: March – November 2025 Abstract: In Colombia, Latin America, and elsewhere, barriers to political participation are manifold. This research project seeks to identify and analyze the intersectional barriers to political participation faced by Indigenous and Afro-descendent populations. Focusing on the dynamics of power that underpin marginalization due to gender, ethnicity,…
Fostering Women’s representation in Local Democracy – A Qualitative Analysis of the Factors Surrounding Female Political Participation at a Mayor Office Level in Colombia
This study critically examines the gendered experiences of female political candidates running for mayoral offices in Colombia. It addresses the systemic exclusion women face in a patriarchal political system, compounded by economic constraints, political violence, and societal norms. Through seven qualitative interviews, the research identifies the strategies used by women to overcome these barriers. The…
Drawing rural paths onthe urban margins:An Ethnographic Study of Peacebuilding, Displacementand Place-making in Medellín Largest Informal Settlement
This thesis provides an in-depth ethnographic analysis of La Nueva Jerusalén, Medellín’s largest informal settlement, exploring the complex interplay between displacement, place-making, and a territorial perspective within the urban margins. It examines how displaced populations engage with and transform their newly inhabited urban spaces, forging communities at the intersection of rural and urban dynamics amid…
Gender Quotas and the Struggle for Representation in Local Democracy
At the 2024 Local Democracy Academy (LDA), researchers, policymakers, and local leaders gathered to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing democracy. Among the many important discussions, one theme stood out: the persistent gap between gender quotas and real political equality in local councils. Two standout presentations—one from Colombia by Clara Rocío Rodríguez Pico,…
Region Västerbotten, Vaupes and Amazonas, Colombia
Project: Equitable health in sparsely populated areas – women’s and indigenous perspectives Region Västerbotten, Vaupes and Amazonas in Colombia, will together address the fact that indigenous women and youth in rural Colombia, face severe human rights violations, especially regarding health access. Geographic and sociocultural barriers limit their access to quality services, leading to high maternal…
Call for proposals: Intersectional Gender Policy in Latin America
Note: This call is closed. Projects funded by this call include: Open call for proposals for policy-oriented research to support local governments in improving equity and gender equality, with particular focus on Colombia, Guatemala and Sweden. Background In the dynamic and complex socio-political landscapes of Latin America, the challenges of gender inequality intersect deeply with…
