A new partnership has been closed between the Center for Projects (ICM) and the GARD Center in Antigua and Barbuda (www.gardc.org). The GARD Center has a long history of running agricultural, vocational training and small business support projects. Its projects provide livelihood opportunities for women and young people and provides avenues for their voices to be heard. GARDC has gained the trust and support of large donors such as USAID and EuropeAid.
The new partnership will allow not only for technical skill transfer at the time of launch of new livelihood projects in Colombia but also provide the necessary donor accountability when approaching foreign donors. The first result of this partnership is a joint project proposal submitted to the US government. If funded, the project will improve protection of vulnerable populations against violence and socio-economic situation of people caught up between impunity by paramilitaries and corrupt local administration.