Colombia Peace: 10 Years Later, Communities Share Progress

Ten years ago, Colombia signed a historic peace agreement ending half a century of war between the government and FARC-EP rebel forces. Today, researchers are asking the most important question: What does peace actually look like for the people living it?

The Peace Research Institute Oslo is bringing together voices from Colombia's territories to share ground-level perspectives on how peace is really working. The focus isn't on politicians or policy papers. It's on the bureaucrats implementing the agreement, the communities experiencing its effects, and especially the children and youth shaping Colombia's peaceful future.

The picture emerging is nuanced but hopeful. Important progress has been made across the country, though peace feels different depending on where you live. Some communities have seen former combatants successfully return to civilian life, while others still face incomplete commitments and ongoing challenges.

One major focus is reintegration: how former FARC-EP fighters are building new lives as civilians. Researchers are studying how wartime rituals and reintegration practices either help or hinder this transition. The findings offer fresh insights into what actually creates lasting peace after conflict ends.

Public officials on the ground are sharing what they see as the biggest obstacles to delivering on the agreement's promises. Meanwhile, local community members are identifying what they need most to sustain peace in their daily lives.

Why This Inspires

This research matters because it centers the voices often missing from peace discussions. By listening to children, youth, and local actors in affected territories, researchers are building a more complete picture of what peace requires. Their experiences offer lessons that extend far beyond Colombia to any community recovering from conflict.

The tenth anniversary isn't just about looking back at what was achieved. It's about understanding what conditions allow peace to take root and grow in the places that need it most.

Colombia's journey shows that signing an agreement is just the beginning. Real peace is built day by day, in communities and conversations, by people committed to something better than war.