TED Partner Country Engagement: Mission in Colombia

Colombia - Democracy Support Mission

TED supported the EU Delegation (EUD) and EU Member States (MS) to review the progress on the implementation of the recommendations of the 2022 EU Election Observation Mission (EOM). This process helped identify potential areas of collaboration among the EU and EU MS to support ongoing reforms in civic and political participation, including women and youth, as well as strengthening of electoral systems.

Context background 

An EU EOM took place in 2022 in Colombia, the second of such missions since the 2016 Peace Agreement. The EOM was prompted by the elections of 16 representatives for the special peace constituencies who would ensure the participation of historically marginalised communities in conflict-affected regions in the House of Representatives. The EOM involved over 60 long-term and short-term observers and resulted in 24 key recommendations for improving how elections are conducted, and more broadly improve political participation in Colombia. 

The support mission 

The EUD enlisted TED's assistance to develop a roadmap for EU MS and the EUD to implement the 2022 EOM recommendations. This effort was pertinent given the upcoming local elections in October 2023, as well as the anticipated follow-up EOM in 2024. 

Stakeholders involved 

The primary stakeholders were the EUD, both EU MS representatives, and their agencies. The Secretariat held a series of political dialogues on how to contribute to the implementation of the EOM 2022 recommendations, and ways to improve civic participation. A number of civil society organisations and state institutions were also consulted for inputs into the broader democratic context. 

Key messages 

On the occasion of the October 2023 territorial elections, the EUD in Bogotá requested an in-situ status update on the implementation of the recommendations made by the EU EOM during 2022.

While most of the recommendations suggested a roadmap, certain events in 2023 warranted the development of additional ideas to strengthen democratic norms in terms of political parties, elections, and citizen participation.  

Within this framework, TED developed its initial suggestions. The preliminary results were presented in July at the EU Mission in Bogota, and the Final Report was delivered and presented to the EU MS in September. After the TED mission and just before the local elections, the EU launched the campaign titled 'politics is not for machos'. The campaign, in partnership with the NGO Misión de Observación Electoral (MOE)-Colombia, aimed to raise awareness about the importance of enhancing and facilitating women participation in politics. 

Throughout this time, TED continued to highlight opportunities for collaboration between the EU and EU MS aimed at providing joint support for electoral reforms in Colombia. This collaboration also sought to strengthen channels of participation, thereby consolidating democracy in line with the priorities of the EU and EM within the country. 

Outlook beyond the mission 

The TED Secretariat remains available for further collaboration with the EUD Colombia. The report from the first mission included suggested areas of work, which the EUD and EU MS are discussing and assessing for potential collaborations.