Good practices in using partnerships for the delivery of employment services in Colombia

This paper explores the mechanisms and preconditions that are contributing to successful partnerships in delivering employment services and active labour market interventions in Colombia. Such partnerships in the Colombian context are pursuing three main objectives: (1) to expand service provision and optimize service coverage; (2) to adapt service provision to local labour market needs; and (3) to improve service delivery to target groups facing barriers to employment. The paper also presents three case studies which cast light on the key factors that prompt the formation of partnerships and the ways in which the challenges of working in cooperation have been addressed. The analysis also aims to establish whether there are transferable lessons that could be replicated by other members of Colombia’s Network of Employment Services Providers in other municipalities or economic sectors within the country.