Peaceful resolution of land conflict in Guatemala and Colombia: Working towards new partnerships for development
Partners Mercy Corps JADE (Associated Jurists for Legal Development) Guatemala Fundaci贸n Dari茅n Colombia
Irish Aid European Commission
Peaceful resolution of land conflict in Guatemala and Colombia: Working towards new partnerships for development
Background Mercy Corps is an international civil society organization based in U.S.A. In Guatemala in the early 1990s, MC identified land conflict as a major barrier to sustainable and peaceful development in the post-conflict context. In response, MC’s team in Guatemala partnered with a local NGO, JADE, in 2003 to design and implement a specialized mediation program for land disputes in the northern region of Alta Verapaz. The successful initiative developed into a region-wide land conflict resolution and land rights advocacy program known as Tierras.
Peaceful resolution of land conflict in Guatemala and Colombia: Working towards new partnerships for development
Objectives
Innovation
Knowledge transfer: “good practices” identified during land dispute peaceful resolution processes carried out in Guatemala and Colombia.
The Project constitutes an innovative model of international, Triangular, and South-South cooperation: Both partners are local civil society organizations.
Dissemination of ADR tools: dissemination of tools for the peaceful resolution of land disputes.
The “provider” country has traditionally been on the receiving end of international cooperation rather than a pivotal country.
Integration of different communities: new partnerships from civil society, minority ethnic communities and governmental institutions. Strengthening the communities involved: by increasing their knowledge on the protection of human rights of indigenous populations and minorities.
The project was unique in that local actors in Guatemala and Colombia led the local execution of project actions and support for communities, while MC facilitated the SouthSouth exchange, strengthened both partner organizations, and promoted political advocacy to incorporate project concerns on land issues in public policies.
Peaceful resolution of land conflict in Guatemala and Colombia: Working towards new partnerships for development
Results
Applicability
As a result of 10 cross-learning exchanges (5 in Colombia and 5 in Guatemala), the Darien Foundation team members were trained to use technical and procedural tools to set up two land conflict mediation centers. At the same time, the crosslearning exchanges served to transfer knowledge between both actors on the management of natural resources and land-use planning processes.
An innovative way of promoting development between countries that share similar problems and facilitating collaboration between governmental and civil society actors via a Triangular Cooperation model.
208 Cases received 137 Cases in process 71 Cases resolved