LACT Partners
CAFOD – Catholic Agency for Overseas Development
About the partner
Who they are
CAFOD is the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, working with communities around the world to overcome poverty and injustice. Through long-term partnerships, CAFOD supports locally-led initiatives that promote human dignity, environmental stewardship and lasting social change.
As part of Caritas lnternationalis – one of the largest aid networks in the world CAFOD supports families around the world, no matter their religion, to flourish.
Overview of our partnership
A partnership built over two decades
We have worked with CAFOD for over 20 years, building one of our longest and most trusted partnerships across the Andean region. Since 2005, our collaboration has supported tens of local organisations in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, working closely with communities facing poverty, exclusion and environmental pressures.
Together, we have supported locally-led initiatives that reach children and families, as well as indigenous communities, women and girls, and people with disabilities. Through a strong network of local partners, this work is rooted in the realities of each territory, responding to context while strengthening rights, livelihoods and resilience.
Over two decades, this partnership has contributed to more inclusive, community-driven approaches that connect social, environmental and economic priorities. We are proud of the depth of this collaboration and of the collective impact achieved alongside local organisations across the region.
Active projects
What we are working on together
The Andes Programme
The Andes Programme supports some of the most marginalised families, children and communities across Bolivia, Colombia and Peru. Working in urban, rural and indigenous contexts, the programme focuses on protecting rights, strengthening resilience to climate change and promoting more harmonious relationships between people and their environment.
The current phase continues to address the interconnected challenges of poverty, violence and environmental degradation, while supporting communities to build more sustainable and inclusive futures.
Local partners
Local partners leading the work on the ground
Warmi Huasi (Peru)
Non-profit organisation that works with families, particularly children and adolescents, to strengthen their capacities and support their development. They promote participation, organisation and leadership within communities, grounded in mutual respect and equal opportunities..
DESCO – Centro de Estudios y Promoción de Desarrollo (Peru)
Civil society organisation with over 60 years of experience promoting social development and strengthening the capacities of marginalised communities. Working alongside grassroots organisations, public institutions and social actors, DESCO supports local development processes, citizen participation and environmental management, contributing to more inclusive and equitable societies.
CIDAP – Centro de Investigación, Documentación y Asesoría Poblacional (Peru)
CIDAP works in urban areas of Lima to support communities facing poverty and exclusion. Through close collaboration with local organisations, CIDAP promotes sustainable urban development, strengthens access to rights and services, and improves living conditions and environments in underserved neighbourhoods.
PDPMM – Programa de Desarrollo y Paz del Magdalena Medio (Colombia)
PDPMM works in the Magdalena Medio region to promote peacebuilding, human rights and sustainable development. By facilitating dialogue between communities, institutions and social actors, PDPMM supports collective processes that strengthen dignity, protect life and contribute to long-term regional peace.
IIADI – Instituto de Investigación y Acción para el Desarrollo Integral (Bolivia)
Non-profit organisation working in urban and rural areas of La Paz to support inclusive local development. Through research and community-based projects, IIADI strengthens the capacities of social actors, promoting justice, equality and participation across diverse communities.
CENDA – Centro de Comunicación y Desarrollo Andino (Bolivia)
CENDA works with indigenous and rural communities in the Andean region to strengthen local livelihoods and promote social and environmental justice. Through collective reflection and action, CENDA supports communities to manage natural resources, respond to climate and food challenges, and develop locally rooted solutions.
Latest from the blog
LACT Stories
Desde el blog
Notas LACT
Partner Stories
Seeing Through Their Eyes: Youth Voices, Light, and Lived Experience in Bogotá
Exhibition by members of the Lumos Colombia Youth Advisory Board, a group of children and young people currently living within institutional care.
Partner Stories
Building Safer, Stronger Communities in Pifo
In the foothills east of Quito, the community of Pifo is quietly transforming how it protects its children.
Partner Stories
Building Brighter Futures for People and Nature Across the Andes
Across the Andean region of Latin America, local organisations are showing that the most powerful transformations begin within communities themselves.