KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT PROCESS OF THE CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT MODEL (MIC) PARTICIPA+
- Nov 7, 2025
- 3 min read
What is this process about?
This knowledge management process, led by Fundación Corona and developed by Fundación Ideas para la Paz, systematizes and analyzes the implementation of the Citizen Engagement Model (MIC) – Participa+ in order to turn implicit learnings into useful, transferable, and actionable evidence.
Its main purpose was to identify, consolidate, critically analyze, and share the MIC’s contributions, learnings, and recommendations from its territorial experiences and technical lines, with the intention of providing valuable inputs to the various actors working to strengthen citizen participation in Colombia.
Why did we commit to this knowledge management process?
Because we needed to move from “inspiring cases” and implicit knowledge accumulated over years of implementation to useful evidence and explicit learnings, so that our actions—and those of the ecosystem’s actors—to strengthen participation could be more effective.
How was it carried out?
A qualitative study with an inductive approach was conducted, combining Grounded Theory (data‑driven construction) and a Systemic Approach (interconnections and conditions for structural, relational, and transformational change).
A total of 193 files were reviewed, 13 semi‑structured interviews were conducted, 2 focus groups in Yumbo, and 23 testimonies in Buenaventura were systematized using intentional coding in ATLAS.ti, co‑occurrence matrices, and analysis networks to map connections between the model’s dimensions and changes in the territories.
What will you find on this microsite?
Results by territories (Buenaventura and Yumbo): contributions and structural (policies, practices, resources), relational (relationships, power), and transformational (mindsets) changes.
Results by MIC technical lines: contributions and changes in Leadership, Advocacy, and Open Government.
Integrated learnings and sustainability: territorial, financial, human, and technological conditions for ensuring that changes endure.
Actionable recommendations: pathways and suggestions for scaling processes that worked and adjusting those that faced challenges during implementation.
Who is it for?
Actors, individuals, and organizations that are part of the citizen participation ecosystem and want to strengthen it.
For you, we offer these findings and learnings for consultation and use.
Download and explore
0. MIC Literature Review
1. Work Plan and Methodological Design Document
2. Territorial Analysis Document of the MIC in Yumbo and Buenaventura
2.1. Executive Summary of the Systematization and Territorial Analysis of the MIC in Yumbo and Buenaventura
3. Systematization and Analysis Document of the MIC Strategic Lines
3.1. Executive Summary of the Systematization and Analysis of the MIC Strategic Lines
4. Synthesis Presentation of the Systematization and Territorial/Strategic Line Analysis
5. Final Integrated Analysis Document
6. Annex. MIC Theory of Change
7. Annex. MIC Methodological Report – FCorona_FIP
Where do we come from?
Citizen Engagement Model (MIC) Participa+
In 2018, Fundación Corona, together with Movilizatorio, developed the Citizen Engagement Model Participa+ as a strategic framework that reflected a new approach to citizen participation in Colombia, seeking to break historical barriers that discourage and limit effective engagement and undermine democratic legitimacy.
The Model proposes that if social leadership is strengthened, public policy advocacy is fostered, and Open Government practices are consolidated, then it is possible to create two‑way interaction mechanisms between the State and society. In the long term, this leads to democratic governance based on informed citizenship, responsive institutions, and effective cooperation among public and social actors.
Where and with whom was it implemented?
The MIC was implemented comprehensively in Buenaventura and Yumbo, while each technical line was also applied independently at the national level.
Participating actors included social organizations, community leadership, the private sector, academia, and public institutions in environments of collaboration and dialogue.
In Buenaventura, it was implemented through Activa Buenaventura, a Global Development Alliance (GDA) supported by USAID, with Fundación Carvajal as the implementing partner, and in alliance with Extituto de Política Abierta, Ford Foundation, Gases de Occidente, the International Republican Institute, Movilizatorio, ProPacífico, and the Buenaventura Port Society.
In Yumbo, it was implemented through Participa+ Yumbo, a program with Fundación Smurfit Westrock Colombia as the implementing partner, together with FEDY and the Yumbo Business Alliance.
