Program to Support Policy Reforms for the Social and Economic Inclusion of the Venezuelan Migrant Population in Colombia

Project Implementation Status

The project achieved all the results outlined in the loan proposal. The project achievements and overall progress were assessed and continue to be measured using the OGD’s Multidimensional Integration Indicator.

To summarize, there have been significant improvements to the socioeconomic inclusion of Venezuelan migrants in Colombia during the project implementation period. As a result, the outcomes of this objective received a “satisfactory” rating. The overall outcomes have been rated using the IMI, obtaining an overall score for 2022 of 6 points out of 10, or an “acceptable” level of integration.

SO1: Increase regularization rates among the Venezuelan migrant population and enhance

data management concerning them

Registration and gathering of descriptive data: The indicator measured the number of Venezuelan migrants registered with the system since the approval of the ETPMV (March 2021). This indicator was disaggregated by gender. The target was established based on Migration Colombia estimates. The registration and gathering of descriptive data on Venezuelan migrants in Colombia improved. Support for the adoption and implementation of Decree 0216 of 2021, which introduced the ETPMV, facilitated the registration of 2,529,990 people with the RUMV. This registry collects migration data to be used to inform public policymaking. Some 52% of the total people registered are women and 48% are men, and a success rate of 169% was achieved.  Some 2,042,381 PPTs have been issued, enabling 71% of Venezuelan migrants to regularize their migration status and access social services. Some 57% of beneficiaries were women. These figures exceeded program targets by 186%,50 demonstrating the effectiveness and relevance of the support provided.

Strengthening migration statistics: Support was provided for Resolution 1372 of 2020, which regulates the operation of Statistical Committees and Sector Working Groups for the exchange of statistical data on migration. This contributed to the establishment of the Health, Social Welfare, and Demographic Statistics Committee, in which the Migration Board is involved through its Statistical Information System for Migration (SIEM). The National Administrative Statistics Department (DANE), the National Planning Department (DNP), and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection are three of the members of this committee sharing migration statistics. The success rate for this indicator was 150%, as it was hoped that two agencies would exchange data, but ultimately three did so.

SO2: Expand the Venezuelan migrant population’s access to social services and protection

against human trafficking.

SGSSS/Ministry of Health and Social Protection: This indicator measured the number of Venezuelan migrants who are enrolled in the SGSSS. The target was established based on estimates from the Ministry of Health’s Unified Affiliate Database and includes the cumulative goal of operation CO-L1248 plus the additional progress achieved through policies implemented under the current operation. This indicator was disaggregated by gender. As a result of the adoption of legal frameworks enabling migrants to access healthcare services through the SGSSS, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection reported that 1,417,838 migrants were enrolled in the system as of December 2023 (55% women, 45% men).51 These figures greatly exceed the Program’s initial target of 425,000 people, achieving a success rate of 202%. These results suggest that the target may have been insufficiently ambitious given that this particular indicator was supported by operation CO-L1248.

The frameworks adopted include: (i) Resolution 3015 of 2017, which recognized the PEP as a valid document for enrolling in the SGSSS through February 2023; (ii) Resolution 8470 of 2019, which granted all children of Venezuelans born in Colombia (at risk of statelessness) after August 18, 2015, the right to enroll in the SGSSS; and (iii) Decree 216 of 2021 and Resolution 971 of 2021, which established the ETPMV, allowing the Ministry of Health and Social Protection to recognize the PPT as a valid document for accessing the national health system.

Housing rental subsidies for the migrant population: The indicator measured the number of Venezuelan migrants benefiting from the housing rental subsidy program, disaggregated by gender. The target was established based on estimates from the Ministry of Health and includes the cumulative goal of operation CO-G1015 plus the additional progress achieved through policies implemented as part of the current operation. Although the amendment of Decree 1077 of 2015 was an important step toward granting migrants access to rental subsidies, there have been delays in the allocation of these. Implementation only began in earnest in October 2023, such that 144 subsidies had been allocated through April 2024, 76% of which went to women. By the end of 2024, it is hoped that a further 1,234 subsidies will be allocated, for a total of 1,378.

A gradual increase in the number of migrant students enrolled in the education system: Between 2021 and 2023, a total of 1,696,771 migrants were enrolled, an annual average of 565,590.52 This indicator measured the number of Venezuelan migrant students who enrolled in any level of the Colombian education system and was disaggregated by gender. The target was established based on estimates from the Ministry of Education and projected school enrollment levels. The success rate for this component was 182%. This result far exceeded the initial program target, which was 475,000 enrollments, demonstrating the relevance of support to ensure that all migrant children are involved in the education system.

Average annual budget allocated to the implementation of public policies to prevent and combat human trafficking and provide support for victims. (2021–2024) This indicator measured progress on the National Strategic Plan to Combat Human Trafficking, which included public policies to prevent and combat human trafficking and provide support for victims. The target was set based on projections. Between 2021 and 2024, the Ministry of the Interior significantly increased its average annual budget for implementing public policies to prevent and combat human trafficking and provide support for victims.53 Support for the approval of Colombia’s National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking for 2020–2024 has enabled the Ministry of the Interior to continue funding programs to combat this crime.

SO3: Promote the recognition of Venezuelan migrants’ professional and labor skills.

Saber Hacer Vale program. Through the first, second, third, and fourth rounds of this program, the Ministry of Labor certified 4,008 professional or labor skills through December 2023, in partnership with the National Learning Service (SENA). Through this process, the skills of a total of 11,635 Colombians and migrants were certified, of whom 8,399 (72%) were women, and 455 (3%) identified as having diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. The program initially aimed to certify 3,000 migrants, and has thus exceeded, achieving a success rate of 134%.

Women Venezuelan migrants who’s professional or labor skills have been certified. This indicator tracks the number of Venezuelan women migrants who benefited from childcare programs when certifying their professional or labor skills. Four rounds of this program have been held. The target was to certify 1,971 women, but the program has exceeded this, reaching 2,164—a success rate of 109%.

Validation of educational qualifications. The indicator measured the number of migrants whose professional qualifications from abroad were officially recognized. The target was established based on estimates from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was disaggregated by gender. The Ministry of Education reported that approximately 5,326 migrant qualifications were validated between 2021 and 2023, achieving 93% of the target. Given that the goal was to validate 7,151 qualifications, further efforts are needed to meet this target. The Program’s support for bilateral agreements that facilitate the recognition of higher education qualifications was a key factor in this process. However, the Colombian Government continues to face difficulties in processing applications swiftly, especially as migration flows increase. The Bank provided additional support to the Ministry of Education in the form of technical cooperation resources to fund individual consultants who assisted with administrative processes and gave online support to applicants. These consultants also put forward recommendations to improve validation processes and increase responsiveness. They identified additional challenges faced by migrants seeking to validate their qualifications, such as obtaining the necessary documents from their country of origin and covering the costs of the process both there and in Colombia. The Program is expected to meet its target by the end of 2024.

The operation has been implemented in parallel with the approval between 2022 and 2023 of an extensive regulatory framework that collectively supports, implements, and strengthens the Program’s primary objective.