VRIO - Integra

OVERVIEW

The Integra Activity supports the Colombian Government in addressing social, political, and cultural challenges resulting from the sustained mass migration from Venezuela. As of August 2023, over 2.8 million people had fled Venezuela to Colombia and an estimated 500,000 Colombians had returned to the country. A large percentage of these migrants have settled in Colombia’s urban areas and border towns, causing receptor communities to face unprecedented challenges in terms of socially and economically integrating migrants and returnees. In response to these challenges, Integra is: 1) improving the Colombian Government’s border and migration management capacities; 2) strengthening local governments’ capacity to provide migrants access to quality social and justice services; and 3) reducing xenophobia toward migrants. Integra’s implementation runs from September 2021 to September 2026 and is geographically focused in nine urban areas with the highest concentration of migrants: Barranquilla, Bogotá, Bucaramanga, Cali, Cartagena, Cúcuta, Medellín, Riohacha, and Santa Marta

GOALS

IMPROVE BORDER AND MIGRATION GOVERNANCE

Integra helps build the Colombian Government’s migration management capacity by supporting the development and adequation of migration related policies and legislation, the consolidation of a migration system and the establishment of national and local coordination mechanisms for a migration response. The activity also works towards the prevention of human trafficking and smuggling. Additionally, Integra helps strengthen migration information systems, including data integration for improved service delivery and capacity strengthening

INCREASE ACCESS TO PUBLIC SERVICES

Integra recognizes that the complexities of mass migration require a system-wide response to ensure migrants’ access to rights and the promotion of integration at the community level. With a local systems framework, Integra works with municipal governments and other local actors to identify gaps in the provision of public services to migrants, build capacities, and implement solutions to address these gaps. It also supports the establishment and operation of government coordination platforms for migration policy and response. Integra also improves basic service provision for migrants, returnees and host communities through municipal Intégrate Centers (one-stop shops) and strengthens the capacities of civil society organizations (CSOs), communities, and public and private actors to support an enabling environment for migrant integration.

REDUCE XENOPHOBIA TOWARD MIGRANTS

Integra works to reduce misinformation about migration by advancing  a narrative of migration as an opportunity through a robust alliance with national and local media outlets. Integra is also implementing a social cohesion strategy with local CSOs working with communities and social leaders in target neighborhoods with high numbers of Venezuelan residents. The activity also raises awareness about migration-associated challenges and employs a whole-of-society approach for migrant integration

KEY RESULTS 

• National and local migration governance strengthened through the development and adjustment of 27 policy instruments.  
• Local systems of migration governance consolidated in nine target cities to promote integration and coordinated service delivery to migrants, returnees, and receptor communities. 
• Strengthened coordination mechanisms for gender based violence prevention.
• Migrants' access to government services and economic opportunities improved through the operation of 11 Intégrate Centers (one-stop shops) in nine cities.  
• 20 CSOS strengthened to promote integration, social cohesion, and community participation in prioritized neighborhoods. 
• Partnerships established with 5 media outlets to transform existing narratives on migration.