In supporting USAID/Colombia’s Land for Prosperity Activity, under the Tetra Tech-led STARRIII IDIQ, Connexus is working with five organizations in Colombia that are dedicated to addressing the challenges stemming from informal land rights through titling programs, strengthening government capacities to manage land, and creating legal economic opportunities for rural communities. Connexus employs its Impact Strengthening Development (ISD)® toolkit to develop the institutional strength of local partner organizations so that they can receive direct funding from USAID. ISD is a practical and innovative organizational assessment and capacity development program that supports USAID’s localization initiative.
Connexus is working with Suyo, PDP Dique, CECAR, Opcion Legal, and Ocampo Duque.
- Suyo provides title closing services for low-income families to formalize their ownership, enhance the true value of their homes, and provide peace of mind. Connexus conducted an ISD assessment and developed an Organization Capacity Development Plan for Suyo in 2020. Technical assistance provided includes support in developing operations manual, procurement manual, financial management manual, calculated indirect cost rates, training in financial planning and budget management, and subcontract management training.
- PDP Dique is a nonprofit organization supporting a comprehensive human development program in Colombia. Connexus conducted an ISD assessment and developed an Organization Capacity Development Plan in 2020. Technical assistance has been provided to strengthen their operations and their financial management manuals and analyze indirect costs. Extensive support was provided in recruitment retention, staff time management, staff and consultants salaries, and benefits policy.
- CECAR’s Nuestra Tierra Prospera Program supports access to formal land tenure and the right to property, improvement of land administration, and access to legal economic opportunities in seven regions of Colombia. Connexus conducted an ISD assessment and developed an Organization Capacity Development Plan in 2022, and is working with CECAR to improve its staff time management, subcontract management, field supervision, and monitoring and evaluation.
- Opcion Legal works on land restitution. Connexus recently supported them in calculating their indirect rates.
- Ocampo Duque works in land restitution, rural development, and conservation. In 2023, Connexus conducted an ISD assessment and is providing technical assistance to strengthen their financial management and human resources function.