§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid his Department is providing to Colombia, with particular reference to aid to(a) help the development of civil society, (b) improve human rights and (c) encourage the activity of free trades unions. [144923]
Mr. Gareth ThomasDFID provides assistance to Colombia through the Civil Society Challenge Fund. "War on Want" has received a £213,948 grant over four years for a "Promotion of Workers and Human Rights" project in South West Colombia, which aims to increase trade union and social organisations" capacity to defend human and workers" rights. UNISON has received a £25,000 grant over three years to work with activists within civil society organisations and trade unions across Latin America to improve their capacity for36W dialogue with international global institutions such as the World Trade Organisation and the International Labour Organisation.
DFID also contributes to the EC's Euro 105 million Country Programme for Colombia (2001–06), which contains four elements—two of which directly support efforts to improve human rights (support to administrative and judicial reform and promotion of human rights). DFID funds a £140,000 Small Grants Scheme in Colombia, which is managed by the embassy and supports projects with civil society groups.