Audit Assesses the Impact of Projects to Fight Against Illegal Economies in Colombia

The team from the Department for the Auditing of United Nations Operations (SecexONU), in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), audited of one of the more than 500 alternative development projects promoted by the agency in Colombia. The aim was to assess the effectiveness of program management focused on combating drug trafficking, preventing the use of illicit substances, fighting organized crime, corruption, terrorism, and strengthening criminal justice.

The audit reviewed alternative development techniques—an approach designed to reduce the vulnerability of populations living in areas heavily affected by illegal economies, such as those affected by armed groups and coca cultivation. To that end, the UNODC implements integrated solutions ranging from technical assistance and the supply of agricultural inputs to connecting communities with specialized markets, fostering their integration into the legal economy. Currently, more than 60,000 families benefit from these projects.

Social Impact

During the inspection, the audit team visited a dairy processing cooperative in Sibaté, in the metropolitan region of Bogotá, and observed the outcomes of initiatives focused on increasing productivity and generating added value. Notable among these were investments in systems for collecting and storing water for livestock consumption and for irrigating corn crops during dry periods.

The auditors also interviewed project beneficiaries, who emphasized the key role of women’s participation in strengthening and sustaining the initiatives. The mission reinforced the team’s conviction regarding the significance and social impact of UNODC’s work. The audit findings will be presented and discussed with the audited entity prior to the finalization of the report.

SecexONU is composed of auditors from the Brazilian Federal Court of Accounts (TCU), the Office of the Comptroller General (CGU), and state and municipal courts of accounts.