Pilot Project: The Manufacture of imported Bison Skin

A 'business for peace' initiative. Colombian leather manufacturers have collaborated to offer a programme of training and employment opportunities for demobilised fighters. This assists with their reintegration into peaceful society and decreases the likeihood of them rejoining the conflict due to poverty or social alienation.

Description

The project started after North American bison flesh entrepreneurs came to Colombia and saw the quality both of its leather industry and its goods manufacture. These entrepreneurs were willing to import the raw material (bison skin) into Colombia, where it would be tanned and manufactured, and then to export and market it in the United States of America. The entrepreneurs were willing to abide by agreed conditions of respect for the environment and the involvement of demobilised soldiers and militiamen in the project.The project now has five affiliated businesses, four in Colombia and one in the USA, all headed by the Colombian Association of Footwear, Leather, and Leather Goods Industries (ACICAM).

Aims / Objectives

By doing so it is hoped that a culture of solidarity and of social responsibility will be generated in which the importance of peace businesses will be recognised. The employment of demobilised people in a post-conflict period (such as Colombia is currently in) is crucial in order to offer different, legal, and productive opportunities to people who have been fighting. Further it gives former combatants dignity and a place in society and so deters them from relapsing into illegal activities.

How it is Articulated

Whilst the business side of the initiative is technical, involving the design and production of bison skin goods, the peace-building element is relatively simple. We offer training and workshops to demobilised people in and around the specific duties and skills demanded in enterprises involved in the tanning and manufacture of leather goods, which is to say the skills required to design the product - leather goods -, and in elaboration and processing.

Achievements / Learning Points

Achievements:

• As a result of this project, it has been possible to launch an associate project involving introducing demobilised people from illegal armed groups (reinsertados) to formal – which is to say legal, not black market – jobs in businesses associated with ACICAM;
• Arranging the support of the Colombian and North American leather and leather goods industries for the initiative and the principles of corporate social responsibility behind it;
• Defining and creating a structure for the introduction of demobilised individuals into employment in businesses;
• Arranging funding to support the initial phase of the project; and
• Developing tanning processes with Colombian enterprises committed to the preservation of the environment.

Advice to other organisations:

• It is vital to develop sensible processes in Colombian industry whereby employers weave people from vulnerable sectors of society into the fabric of their businesses. This will increase and promote the businesses social commitment and improve the quality of life of many people marginalised as a result of the armed conflict;
• Develop long-term and sustainable (i.e. self-sufficient) projects that bring continued and enduring employment to communities marginalised by the armed conflict.

Learning points:

If starting from the beginning again, ACICAM would use a more detailed planning process before engaging in the project itself. In addition, they would host workshops to raise awareness of the benefits of employing demobilised people. This would have gone some way towards debunking the myth that demobilised individuals only bring negative effects to businesses, and so created more opportunities for employment.

Geographical Area of Operation

Bogotá D.C., Colombia, and the USA.

Funding Resources

• Colombian businessmen;
• ACICAM; and
• USAID through IMO.

Organisations Involved

• ACICAM;
• OIM;
• USAID; and
• Manufacturas Volare Ltda.