CISP in Colombia: Territorial Identity as a Catalyst for Agrarian Reform

The International Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (ICARRD) is a multilateral global forum dedicated to promoting land rights, rural justice, and sustainable development. Its inaugural edition, held in Porto Alegre, Brazil, in 2006, marked a turning point in the international debate on agrarian and rural policies.
Twenty years later, ICARRD+20 will take place from February 24 to 28, 2026, in Cartagena, Colombia, bringing the most pressing challenges of the contemporary rural world back to the center of the global agenda. The Conference will gather governments, international organizations, small-scale producers, Indigenous Peoples, civil society representatives, and development partners to foster dialogue and promote concrete actions for equitable land governance, climate-resilient rural development, and inclusive policies for rural communities.

In this context, CISP participates as the implementing partner of the Agrocadenas project, funded by the Colombian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). Leveraging this strategic experience, CISP plays an active role in shaping the Conference agenda by coordinating the participation of Italian institutional, territorial, and technical experts.
Through this networking and mediation, CISP provides specialized expertise, institutional support, and a deep-rooted presence on the ground in Colombia. 

CISP’s Contribution: Italian Excellence and the Value of Denominations of Origin

Italian cooperation was invited to share its world-leading expertise in Denominations of Origin (DO). The Italian contribution focuses on the link between DOs and the valorization of rural territories, highlighting the role of Local Action Groups (LAGs), small-scale producer associations, and certification systems. These are key tools for strengthening value chains, increasing product value, and promoting sustainable, inclusive territorial development.
Through the Agrocadenas project, CISP has connected Italian regional expertise with Colombian authorities to discuss how DOs can drive rural development and peacebuilding. This exchange aims to:

• Enhance territorial identity, increasing added value for smallholders.
• Foster knowledge exchange, building a bridge between Italian regions and Colombian departments.
• Promote social sustainability, showing that agrarian reform relies on the technical and commercial empowerment of producer organizations. 

Events in Cartagena

CISP has actively contributed to the Italy-Colombia Academic Agenda, featuring side events with authorities, technical seminars, policy roundtables, and training workshops. The initiative also involves the University of Cartagena, engaging both students and faculty.

CISP’s participation in this Conference is the result of our long-standing commitment to Colombia. Through Agrocadenas, we demonstrate that promoting quality products with a Denomination of Origin means protecting the history, culture, and future of an entire territory." — Luigi Grando, CISP Head of Region for Latin America and the Caribbean

Click the link below to download the Italy-Colombia Academic Agenda (in Spanish).