What is this process about?

This knowledge management process, led by Fundación Corona and developed by the Ideas for Peace Foundation (FIP), systematizes and analyzes the implementation of the Participa+ Citizen Engagement Model (MIC) to transform implicit learnings into useful, transferable, and actionable evidence. The core purpose was to identify, consolidate, critically analyze, and share the contributions, lessons, and recommendations of the MIC across its territorial experiences and technical lines, ensuring that the various stakeholders working for civic participation in Colombia have valuable inputs to strengthen their actions.

Why did we invest in this knowledge management process?

Because we needed to move away from "inspiring cases" and the implicit knowledge gained from years of implementation, and move toward useful evidence and explicit knowledge so that our actions—and those of other stakeholders in the ecosystem aimed at strengthening participation—could be more effective.

How was it developed?

A qualitative research with an inductive approach was conducted, articulating Grounded Theory (construction from data) and a Systemic Approach (interconnections and conditions for structural, relational, and transformational change). A total of 193 files were reviewed, 13 semi-structured interviews and 2 focus groups were conducted in Yumbo, and 23 testimonies were systematized in Buenaventura using intentional coding in ATLAS.ti, co-occurrence matrices, and analysis networks to map connections between the model's dimensions and changes in the territories.

What will you find on this microsite?

• Territorial results (Buenaventura and Yumbo): Contributions and structural changes (policies, practices, resources), relational changes (bonds, power), and transformational changes (mental models).

• Results by MIC technical lines: Contributions and changes in Leadership, Advocacy, and Open Government.

• Integrated learnings and sustainability: Territorial, financial, human, and technological conditions to ensure that changes endure.

• Actionable recommendations: Pathways and suggestions to scale processes that worked and adjust those that faced implementation challenges.

  
  

Who is this for?

Actors, individuals, and organizations that are part of the civic participation ecosystem and wish to strengthen it. We place these findings and learnings at your disposal for you to consult and use.

Download and explore

0. MIC Literature Review

1. Work plan and methodological design document..

2. MIC territorial analysis document in Yumbo and Buenaventura

2.1.Executive summary of the systematization and territorial analysis of the MIC in Yumbo and Buenaventura.

3. Document on the systematization and analysis of the MIC Strategic Lines.

3.1. Executive summary of the systematization and analysis of the MIC Strategic Lines.

4. Synthesis presentation of the systematization and analysis of territorial and strategic lines.

5. Final integrated analysis document

6. Annex: MIC Theory of Change

7. Annex_MIC Methodological Report_FCorona_FIP

Where do we come from?

Participa+ Citizen Engagement Model (MIC)

In 2018, Fundación Corona, together with Movilizatorio, developed the Participa+ Citizen Engagement Model as a strategic framework reflecting a new way of approaching citizen participation in Colombia, seeking to break down historical barriers that discourage and limit effective forms of citizen involvement and undermine the legitimacy of democracy.

The Model proposes that if social leadership is strengthened, advocacy in public policy is promoted, and Open Government practices are consolidated, it is possible to create two-way interaction mechanisms between the State and society. In the long term, this leads to democratic governance based on an informed citizenry, responsive institutions, and effective cooperation between public and social actors.

Where and with whom was it implemented?

The MIC was comprehensively implemented in Buenaventura and Yumbo, while each technical line was also worked on independently at the national level. Social organizations, community leaders, the private sector, academia, and public institutions participated in environments of collaboration and dialogue. In Buenaventura, it was implemented through Activa Buenaventura, a Global Development Alliance (GDA) supported by USAID, with Fundación Carvajal as the implementing partner and in alliance with Extituto de Política Abierta, Ford Foundation, Gases de Occidente, the International Republican Institute, Movilizatorio, ProPacífico, and the Buenaventura Port Authority. In Yumbo, it was implemented through Participa + Yumbo, a program with Fundación Smurfit Westrock Colombia as the implementing partner, FEDY, and the Yumbo Business Alliance.