Indigenous and rural communities near valledupar, capital of the department of cesar, have faced some of the most severe violence of colombia's internal armed conflict, which has disrupted economic…

The Inter-American Foundation (IAF), through its Assistance for Overseas Programs (CFDA 85.750) grant, has awarded $125,000 to Asociacion De LOS Mercados Comunitarios Campesinos De Valledupar (APROMECCV) to support community-led economic development initiatives in Colombia. The grant will enable APROMECCV to enhance its administrative capacity, upgrade and expand its farmers' market collection center and stalls, and reach more clients, allowing it to sell more local, fresh foods to consumers and increase incomes for its member farmers, many of whom were displaced by the country's internal armed conflict. This project, with a performance period from September 2024 to September 2026, aligns with the IAF's objectives of strengthening bonds of friendship and understanding in the Western Hemisphere and supporting self-help efforts to expand economic opportunity and increase stability in Latin American and Caribbean communities.

Indigenous and rural communities near valledupar, capital of the department of cesar, have faced some of the most severe violence of colombia's internal armed conflict, which has disrupted economic activity and residents' ability to make a living. IAF grantee asociación DE proveedores DE LOS mercados comunitarios campesinos DE valledupar (apromeccv) has persevered within this context for more than 30 years, self-financing its farmers' market in the city center and creating legal incomes for its member farmers, the majority of whom were displaced by the war. The IAF supports community-led approaches to expanding economic opportunity and increasing stability. Apromeccv is enhancing its administrative capacity to manage its farmers' market, upgrading and expanding its collection center and market stalls, and reaching more clients, enabling IT to sell more local, fresh foods to consumers and increase member incomes.