Emprender Paz- Business & peace awards-Colombia 2016-2023

Through 7 years of continued support, Emprender Paz has reached out to a total of 86,200 people with sustainable economic opportunities, as part of the 77 finalist companies/entrepreneurships (an average of 11 per year). The 32 award winning companies (four each year since 2016) have acted as agents of change, inspiring new companies to develop peace building initiatives as part of their own core business. Regarding the medium-term objective, the 628 companies of various sizes and representing different sectors, from most of the Colombian regions, that applied during the whole activity period, represent a positive sign of the interest from the private sector in having a greater impact in conflict affected regions. Even though the number of organizations who applied for the award every year, have varied over the years, there has been a significant increase in postulated initiatives if the first and the last three years of this contribution are compared. 2019 was the year with the highest number of companies with a total of 124, compared to only 44 companies in 2016, when the activity period of this contribution started. This rise in applications is also seen as a positive impact of the raising awareness strategy that Emprender Paz has implemented over the years. Regarding the amount of investment that the award-winning companies have undertaken during their initiatives. The total amount of investment, both private and by their partners, between 2016 and 2023 reached $118, 366, 000, 000 COP ($29.6 million USD) of which S49,161,000,000 COP (approximately $12.3 million USD) corresponds to their own private investment made by the award-winning companies. As regards the first output, the economic incentive and technical assistance that the award-winners received each year, has effectively contributed to strengthening the initiatives. From 2016 to 2019 all award-winners received the same amount, and they could only use the economic incentive for technical assistance but from 2020 onwards the award-winner could also choose to use it for the purchase of machinery and equipment, or for training. The economic incentive was given to the initiatives through procurement of technical assistance or purchase of machinery and equipment. Multiple winners used the economic incentive to analyze the market and to create and implement new business strategies, which has resulted in new priorities, and the identification of new clients and business contacts. Another important use of the economic incentive is standardizing and systemizing production thereby making it more efficient. This has helped the initiatives to e.g., reduce cost and speed up production. Strengthening the initiatives communication in the form of marketing but also in relation to other actors has also helped several initiatives to implement new communication strategies and to establish relationships with other associations and partners. Many of the award-winners have also chosen to use the economic incentive to form or strengthen the internal governance of the initiatives. This has given the initiatives the opportunity to e.g., establish a code of conduct and ethics, strengthen communication with partners, include external members in the board, and to define a business and governance model. Out of the twelve winning initiatives between 2020 and 2022, half chose to use their economic incentive to buy machinery or equipment, which has benefited their companies in different ways, including increased production and increased viability for certification processes. Regarding the amount of visibility that the finalists and the award-winners have gained from appearing on different media channels. This visibility is important in order to show to other companies that it is possible to work with and involve populations and territories that are affected by the violence and the associated lack of opportunities in their business activities. To reach this objective, media strategies have been implemented in collaboration with a media agency. The results in relation to the goals set out for media appearances between the periods 2016-2019 and 2020-2023 are considered favorable. The award was mentioned in national media outlets such as El Espectador, RCN Radio, Caracol Radio, Caracol TV El Tiempo, Portafolio and La Republica. In 2022 this media publicity reached approximately 27 million people and in 2023 approximately 12 million people. The visibility of finalists and winner has increased over the years, especially in respect of the digital media. The presence on TV and radio media outlets decreased after 2019 due to the new ways of looking for news and information. Emprender Paz organized workshops in relevant cities to provide tools and examples for companies to develop business initiatives that would allow vulnerable communities to access opportunities while contributing to the companys value chain. The workshops were held between 2017 and 2019 in different cities and a total of 197 companies participated. Between 2020 and 2023 webinars and events with companies were held with Trade Unions and Chambers of Commerce in the main cities where the information and the value of the award and the initiatives were publicized. However, no workshops were held in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The communication plan was implemented to increase visibility for the award.

This contribution aims at improving economic conditions of women and men that have been affected by the internal armed conflict by promoting the commitment of private companies for stable employment, decent work, link of small scale production of ex combatants or victims value chain of anchor companies, or alternative sustainable productive activities for illicit crops or illegal mining substitution. Emprender Paz is an initiative that showcases and promotes the positive contribution that the private sector can provide in generating sustainable economic opportunities for the population affected by the armed conflict and thereby support peace building efforts. Through raising awareness activities directed at private sector companies, the increased visibility of positive experiences and the possibility to strengthen the initiatives, EP will encourage more companies to commit to and actively participate in the development of peace-building initiatives as part of their core business. The prize is awarded annually to four private sector initiatives that are chosen, based on predetermined criteria and a rigorous selection process.