The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is supporting a community leadership initiative in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, to help local organizations transform community priorities into practical development projects. The program aims to strengthen collaboration between community leaders and local government, making public decision-making more inclusive and responsive to local needs.
Developed in partnership with the Cartagena City Government, the 2025 hybrid training program focused on governance, citizen participation, leadership, and project design. Nearly 400 participants took part in the virtual training, achieving an average knowledge increase of more than 20% across key areas, while 78 community leaders later participated in an in-person workshop to develop 12 community-based development projects.
The initiative builds on the work of Colombia’s Community Action Boards, grassroots organizations that play a vital role in connecting residents with public institutions. By providing technical knowledge and practical project development skills, the program enables community leaders to convert local ideas into structured proposals capable of attracting institutional support and funding.
Several projects developed during the training addressed pressing community needs, including inclusive transportation for island communities, youth cultural centers, and environmental initiatives such as neighborhood recycling and waste management programs. One highlighted project, “Basureros Cero,” focuses on reducing illegal dumping through community participation, data collection, public awareness, and coordination with local authorities.
According to the IDB, the Cartagena experience demonstrates that investing in community leadership strengthens local governance and encourages greater citizen participation. The program provides a scalable model that can be replicated across Colombia and Latin America, helping communities work more effectively with governments to design and implement sustainable development solutions.
