The mining and energy sector accounted for 9 percent of Colombia's GDP and nearly 70 percent of total exports between 2010 and 2018 (The World Bank, 2019). Nevertheless, the sector's environmental impacts have contributed to the increase in socio-environmental conflicts and the claims for more robust environmental authorities and procedures. Moreover, the illegal exploitation of extractives has been one of the financing strategies for armed groups, sometimes with substantial environmental impacts and the use of contaminants such as mercury.
In 2021, the EGP continued contributing to the strengthening of the mining-environmental institutions to confront the sector's challenges while it continues to develop, grow, and contribute to the country's economy. Therefore, the priorities of the EGP in Colombia were to integrate the learning generated by the implementation of the project in previous years and to continue to strengthen institutional capacities of government entities and mining communities relating to conflict prevention, human rights, and gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The EGP’s implementation in Colombia during 2021 continued despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The programme adapted to hybrid (combining online and in-person) modes of implementation and ensured rigorous biosafety protocol for any in-person gatherings. EGP activities focused on three strategic themes:
The Equipares Gender Equality Seal is a certification programme that recognizes companies and organizations that correctly implement Gender Equality Management Systems. The purpose of the Equipares seal is to enable an inclusive transformation of work and organizational environments. This certification is granted by the Ministry of Labour and the Presidential Council for Women's Equity, with the EGP’s technical support. In addition to focusing on work environments, Equipares positively impacts the entire society in terms of gender equality, accelerating progress towards Sustainable Development Goal No. 5.
The EGP is implemented by UNDP Colombia in collaboration with national partners, including:
The EGP Focal Point in UNDP Colombia is Ana Maria Mahecha (ana.mahecha@undp.org).
"The Colombian government, with technical assistance from UNDP and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, has developed tools and methodologies to respond to social conflicts in the territories. In addition, dialogue processes were established to develop a shared vision of the future of the territories and their needs. New social investments have strengthened trust between actors and fostered development projects within the communities."
Nadya Aranguren, Dialogue and Conflict Prevention Advisor, UNDP Colombia, during the webinar on the Role of Government in Preventing or Enabling Conflict in the Extractive Sector.
“There is improved understanding within the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the National Authority for Environmental Licensing about the relationship between compliance with basic Rule of Law principles and the arising and upsurge of conflicts in the country. In a context of strong socio-environmental polarization it has been a priority to understand how to prevent and transform conflicts, the EGP has consistently positioned itself as a project to ensure that the extractive industry continues to be a motor of development but respecting the guarantee of human rights and the environmental justice.”
Arne Svensson, Professional Management, external evaluator of EGP's Phase One (2014-2019).
© 2026 Environmental Governance Programme (EGP)
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