FBA's work with Colombia

Since the signing of the peace agreement with FARC in 2016, Colombia has made significant progress towards a peaceful future. At the same time, challenges remain — including ensuring that all parts of the population are included in the peace process and strengthening civilian oversight of the security sector.

Support to public actors and the peace process

FBA provides training and advice to public institutions and actors working to build open, peaceful and gender-equal societies.

Since 2022, Sweden has served as an accompanying country for the peace process with the guerrilla group ELN. In this role, FBA contributes by preparing key actors in the negotiations through advisory support and training in relevant areas, such as how peace processes can be conducted in a gender-equal and inclusive way. FBA also provides expertise to both civilian and military institutions on how to implement ceasefires and promote community participation.

Disarmament and demobilisation

In Colombian society, there is widespread distrust towards former members of armed groups — primarily former FARC members. Local communities also need support to reduce stigma and foster reconciliation as these individuals reintegrate into civilian life. FBA supports the Colombian Agency for Reintegration of former combatants in this work.

At the same time, Colombia is preparing for a new process of disarmament and demobilisation, to be ready in the event that the peace talks with ELN and other groups succeed. Here too, FBA supports civilian and military institutions by sharing knowledge from previous experiences and successful approaches used in peace processes around the world.

Democratic governance of the security sector

Building peaceful and inclusive societies in the long term requires state institutions capable of meeting the security needs of the population throughout the country.

In Colombia, this entails a major cultural and structural transformation for both civilian institutions and the military.

For the reform process to be sustainable, clearer structures and greater transparency are needed so that the police and the military can be held accountable for their actions. This includes stronger civilian oversight — for example, by parliament and the Ministry of Defence — as well as methods to promote gender equality and respect for the rule of law within the security sector.

FBA provides advice, training and support to strengthen cooperation between state institutions engaged in Colombia’s reform process. The agency also brings these actors together to create platforms for dialogue aimed at building trust between authorities and the public — a key element in Colombia’s efforts to establish a new social contract focused on human security for all.

Gender equality

Although the peace agreement with FARC includes a gender perspective, its implementation has lagged behind. Challenges remain regarding equal access to opportunities and rights for all.

FBA promotes gender equality by countering stereotypical views of men and women that lead to discrimination. The agency trains public institutions — for example, Colombia’s Ministry of Defence — on women’s rights and provides advice on how to integrate a gender perspective into leadership and in peace and security work.

The aim is to ensure that the security needs of both women and men are taken equally seriously, during and after conflict. Achieving this requires change at the highest levels of leadership within responsible institutions and throughout the ranks of officials and military personnel in contact with the public.

FBA therefore integrates a gender perspective into all training activities and strategic discussions with partner institutions.

Secondments

• UNDP–DPPA Joint Programme: 1 person

• United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia: 1 person

• UN Resident Coordinator’s Office: 1 person