Prodeco continues to strengthen local capabilities as a foundation for resilient communities and sustainable development in the Cesar region. Through vocational training, community leadership and institutional strengthening, the Company is helping people, organizations and local governments develop the skills and tools needed to access new opportunities, manage local initiatives and contribute to the future of their territories beyond mining.
Building Skills for New Economic Opportunities
Prodeco continues to create training opportunities that help people in neighboring communities develop occupational skills beyond the mining sector. Through the Arts and Trades training program, the Company provides complementary, practical and certifiable learning opportunities that support employability, entrepreneurship and the development of diverse sources of income.
Developed in partnership with the National Learning Service (SENA), the program responds to local needs and productive opportunities, helping participants strengthen practical skills that can be applied to employment, entrepreneurship and community-based economic initiatives.
In 2025, 99 people strengthened their occupational skills, with strong participation from women and young people. Four courses were delivered in areas aligned with local dynamics and opportunities: baking, fruit and vegetable processing, coffee-based beverage preparation, and sports training.
By expanding access to skills and knowledge beyond traditional economic activities, these initiatives contribute to communities that are better prepared to pursue diverse income opportunities and build sustainable livelihoods beyond mining.
Strengthening Community Leadership and Local Organizations
Strong community organizations play an important role in building resilient and participatory territories. Prodeco continues to strengthen the capacities of Community Action Boards (JAC), recognizing them as key actors in representing collective interests, mobilizing community initiatives and building relationships with local institutions.
In partnership with ASOJUNTAS and FEDECESAR, Prodeco develops training, advisory and accompaniment processes tailored to the needs and level of development of local Community Action Boards. Topics include community organization, public and community contracting, access to institutional programs, social investment project development, administrative and accounting processes, and action planning.
In 2025, the program delivered 109 training and support sessions, involving 99 Community Action Boards across nine territorial areas in La Jagua de Ibirico, Becerril and El Paso. These processes are strengthening the tools community organizations need to participate more effectively, manage collective initiatives and engage with local institutions.
Looking ahead, Prodeco continues to support the preparation of new community leaders and the transfer of knowledge between outgoing and incoming leadership, helping organizations strengthen their continuity, resilience and capacity to manage community processes autonomously.
Strengthening Local Institutions for Sustainable Development
Strong local institutions are essential to creating the conditions for sustainable territorial development. Prodeco continues to support municipal administrations in strengthening their technical and institutional capabilities, contributing to more efficient, coordinated and development-oriented public management.
This work builds on a broader commitment to strengthening institutional and community capacities in the municipalities where Prodeco operates, promoting more effective public management, improved access to institutional services and stronger relationships between local institutions and communities. By equipping public officials and community members with practical tools and knowledge, these efforts contribute to more resilient and participatory territories.
During 2025, training and advisory processes reached 313 public officials from the municipal administrations of La Jagua de Ibirico, Becerril and El Paso. The training responds to local needs and includes topics such as project formulation and management, access to resources from Colombia’s General Royalties System, institutional planning, and tools for local development management.
The program also provides training in Colombia’s government platforms for public investment and public procurement, as well as in citizen service and public management, strengthening practical tools for municipal officials. With Prodeco’s support, 128 community participants took part in workshops on these government platforms, while 134 received training in humanized citizen service and 51 in ethnic development project management.
By strengthening public-sector capabilities, Prodeco contributes to local institutions that are better equipped to plan, manage resources, improve citizen services and respond to the development needs of their territories. These efforts support stronger institutional capacity and contribute to building more resilient, participatory and cohesive communities.