Deadline: 05-Jun-2026
The World Food Programme (WFP) is accepting applications for a large-scale rural livelihoods and food security initiative in Montañita, Caquetá, Colombia. The programme aims to strengthen agricultural production, improve food security, enhance socio-economic inclusion, and support vulnerable populations through productive asset investments, technical assistance, organizational strengthening, and market access development.
With an indicative budget of USD 614,714,469, the initiative focuses on strengthening cacao production, plantain flour processing, and other productive enterprises while promoting gender equality, environmental sustainability, peacebuilding, and resilient food systems.
Programme Overview
The World Food Programme’s Rural Livelihoods and Food Security Project seeks to improve the resilience, productivity, and economic inclusion of vulnerable populations affected by food insecurity and socio-economic challenges in Montañita, Caquetá.
The initiative aligns with national development and food security strategies by supporting sustainable livelihoods, strengthening agricultural value chains, improving market access, and enhancing community resilience. The project also contributes to peacebuilding efforts by supporting populations involved in reintegration processes and communities affected by conflict and displacement.
Indicative Budget
- Total indicative budget: USD 614,714,469
Key Focus Areas
The programme supports a wide range of interventions designed to strengthen rural economies and food systems, including:
- Rural livelihoods development
- Food security improvement
- Smallholder agricultural market support
- Agricultural value chain development
- Capacity building and skills development
- Socio-economic inclusion
- Peacebuilding and social cohesion
- Support for vulnerable populations
- Strengthening productive units
- Technical assistance services
- Organizational development
- Infrastructure and asset support
- Market access enhancement
- Gender equality and women’s inclusion
- Environmental sustainability
- Intercultural and community-based approaches
Programme Objectives
The project aims to:
- Improve food security among vulnerable populations
- Strengthen livelihood opportunities in rural communities
- Enhance resilience to climate-related and economic shocks
- Increase productive capacity of agricultural enterprises
- Promote sustainable agricultural practices
- Improve market competitiveness of producer organizations
- Support socio-economic reintegration processes
- Strengthen local food systems
- Encourage inclusive and sustainable economic growth
- Foster social cohesion and peacebuilding outcomes
Target Beneficiaries
The programme is designed to support populations experiencing food insecurity and socio-economic vulnerability, including:
- Displaced populations
- Victims of armed conflict
- Participants in peace and reintegration processes
- Migrants and returnees
- Host communities
- Populations affected by climate-related challenges
- Smallholder farmers
- Rural producer organizations
- Vulnerable households facing food insecurity
Specific Target Groups
The project specifically supports:
- Families participating in reintegration processes from former FARC-EP communities
- Producer groups involved in pineapple cultivation and canned pineapple production in La Montañita, Caquetá
- Small producer organizations engaged in cacao production
- Organizations seeking to improve cacao processing and commercialization systems
What Activities Will Be Supported?
Productive Asset Strengthening
The project will provide resources to strengthen productive units through:
- Agricultural inputs
- Improved seeds
- Bio-inputs and sustainable farming materials
- Machinery and equipment
- Agricultural tools
- Productive infrastructure improvements
- Post-harvest processing systems
- Agro-industrial assets
Technical Assistance and Training
Beneficiaries will receive practical support through:
- Hands-on learning methodologies
- Technical advisory services
- Agricultural production training
- Business management support
- Commercialization and marketing guidance
- Organizational development assistance
- Production planning support
- Quality management training
Organizational Strengthening
Support activities include:
- Organizational capacity assessments
- Business strategy development
- Production system improvement
- Commercialization planning
- Market linkage development
- Governance strengthening
- Financial management support
- Operational planning tools
Community and Social Development
The programme also promotes:
- Social cohesion activities
- Community capital development
- Workforce strengthening
- Reintegration support initiatives
- Inclusive participation mechanisms
- Gender-responsive approaches
- Environmental sustainability practices
How the Programme Works
The implementation model combines financial investment, technical support, and organizational development.
Step 1: Identification of Beneficiary Organizations
Eligible organizations and productive units are identified based on programme priorities and local development needs.
Step 2: Capacity Assessment
Diagnostic assessments are conducted to evaluate:
- Production capacity
- Infrastructure needs
- Market opportunities
- Organizational strengths and gaps
Step 3: Asset and Infrastructure Support
Selected organizations receive productive assets, equipment, infrastructure improvements, and other resources required to strengthen operations.
Step 4: Technical Assistance
Beneficiaries participate in training programmes, mentoring, and technical support activities designed to improve productivity and business performance.
Step 5: Monitoring and Oversight
Regional and central programme teams coordinate implementation, monitoring, and evaluation to ensure effective delivery and impact.
Who Is Eligible?
Potential applicants and beneficiaries may include:
- Producer associations
- Agricultural cooperatives
- Rural community organizations
- Smallholder farmer groups
- Organizations supporting reintegration processes
- Community-based productive enterprises
- Agricultural value chain actors
- Organizations operating in targeted programme areas
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Experience working with rural communities
- Capacity to manage productive initiatives
- Commitment to food security and livelihood development
- Ability to implement project activities effectively
- Alignment with programme objectives
Why This Programme Matters
Food insecurity, economic vulnerability, conflict-related displacement, and climate challenges continue to affect many rural communities in Colombia.
This programme addresses these challenges by:
- Increasing agricultural productivity
- Strengthening local economies
- Supporting vulnerable populations
- Improving household income opportunities
- Building climate resilience
- Promoting sustainable food systems
- Encouraging peacebuilding and reintegration
- Expanding market access for rural producers
The initiative creates long-term opportunities for communities to become more self-reliant while contributing to regional economic development.
Key Components of the Agricultural Value Chain Approach
The programme uses a value chain development strategy that supports every stage of production and commercialization.
Key elements include:
- Production improvement
- Processing and transformation
- Quality enhancement
- Storage and logistics
- Business development
- Market access
- Commercial partnerships
- Sustainable growth planning
For cacao producers, this may involve improving cultivation practices, processing systems, product quality, and access to commercial buyers.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Organizations interested in participating should avoid:
- Submitting incomplete applications
- Failing to demonstrate organizational capacity
- Providing unclear project implementation plans
- Overlooking sustainability considerations
- Neglecting gender and inclusion requirements
- Presenting unrealistic budgets or timelines
- Failing to show community impact potential
Strong applications typically demonstrate clear objectives, measurable outcomes, community engagement, and sustainable development impact.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the main purpose of this programme?
The programme aims to improve food security, strengthen rural livelihoods, increase agricultural productivity, and support socio-economic inclusion among vulnerable populations in Montañita, Caquetá.
What is the total budget available?
The indicative budget for the programme is USD 614,714,469.
Which agricultural sectors are prioritized?
The initiative particularly supports cacao production, plantain flour transformation, pineapple cultivation, and related agricultural value chain activities.
What type of support will beneficiaries receive?
Support may include productive assets, machinery, infrastructure improvements, technical assistance, training, organizational strengthening, and market development support.
Does the programme include environmental sustainability measures?
Yes. Environmental sustainability is integrated throughout programme design and implementation, including sustainable agricultural practices and climate resilience approaches.
How will organizations be supported after receiving assets?
Organizations will receive ongoing technical assistance, training, mentoring, monitoring, and advisory services to maximize project impact and sustainability.
Does the programme support peacebuilding and reintegration efforts?
Yes. The project specifically supports populations involved in reintegration processes and promotes social cohesion, community development, and inclusive economic participation.
Conclusion
The World Food Programme Rural Livelihoods and Food Security Project in Montañita, Caquetá represents a major investment in sustainable rural development, food security, and socio-economic inclusion. Through productive asset support, technical assistance, organizational strengthening, market access development, and community resilience initiatives, the programme seeks to create lasting economic opportunities for vulnerable populations while building stronger, more sustainable food systems across the region.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.