ALMAS: CESVI’s and AICS’s efforts to support the integration of Venezuelan migrant women on the Colombian coast
In recent years, South America has faced one of the most intense migratory flows in its history: nearly 8 million people have left Venezuela, fleeing a severe political, economic, and humanitarian crisis. Many of them have sought refuge in Colombia, which has welcomed approximately 3 million people. However, integrating this population presents a complex challenge, particularly in regions already affected by inequality and structural violence. Venezuelan migrant women, in particular, encounter enormous obstacles: arriving in Colombia with very few resources, often forced into informal employment with lower wages and less secure conditions, they struggle daily to secure a future for their families.
To address these difficulties, CESVI, with the support of the Italian Cooperation (AICS), has launched the ALMAS project (Action for Labour, Migration, and Synergic Reception in Colombia). This initiative aims to promote the socio-economic inclusion of Venezuelan migrant women and returning Colombian women who live and work in the cities of Santa Marta and Barranquilla, in the northeast of the country.
As part of the project, CESVI is working on multiple fronts to improve the living conditions of migrant women. Upon entering the programme, participants are initially provided with essential services such as psychological support, vocational guidance, soft skills training, and, where necessary, assistance in validating foreign qualifications—an often crucial yet highly bureaucratic process. This initial stage is followed by vocational training for those seeking employment (with particular attention to access to Information and Communication Technologies – ICTs) or by courses aimed at entrepreneurship for those who wish to pursue a career as self-employed workers.
Over the past year, the ALMAS project has achieved significant results: 691 women have taken part in training programmes to develop cross-cutting and professional skills, helping them better integrate into the local job market. A total of 162 women have accessed training to improve their employment prospects, while 205 have started entrepreneurial activities with the support of the Foundation for the Development of Microenterprise in Magdalena (FUNDEMICROMAG). More than 200 women have received scholarships and financial support, enabling them to improve both their own living conditions and those of their families.
At the end of the courses, participants are supported in entering the workforce. Furthermore, CESVI promotes greater financial inclusion for migrant women through the creation of a microcredit system involving multiple partners, the main one being the Fondo Nacional de Garantías (FNG), as well as international donors, local financial entities, financial cooperatives, and fintech companies. The objective is to break down the prejudices that hinder women’s access to credit, particularly migrant women, who often, when granted credit, face highly unfavourable repayment conditions that do not reflect their financial realities. The mechanism developed by CESVI, through financial training for beneficiaries and awareness-raising activities for financial partners, will enable migrant women to access credit to strengthen and grow their small businesses, thereby supporting their economic independence and resilience.
Another key element has been the awareness-raising work carried out with businesses and public institutions. Thanks to collaboration with lecturers from the Faculty of Psychology at the Catholic University of Milan, a psychological support model called the “Resilience Tutor” has been developed, enabling 37 companies and 113 public employees to acquire the skills needed to support the integration of migrant women in workplaces and protection services.
