Michaela Söllinger, Advisor for Civil Peace Work

Photo: Edwin Mosquera, Michaela Söllinger, Alcira Ocampo, Yolanda Arizab

The advisory is carried out in cooperation with IFOR Austria.

The Peace Service contributes to promoting constructive relations between people and their environment in the province of Anitoquia and to contributing to the protection of existing ones. The peace expert works with human rights defenders in indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities, smallscale farmers and demobilised guerrilla groups on peaceful and collective models for the future.

Michaela Söllinger studied technical physics. After working as a human rights observer in Guatemala, she completed a master's degree in peace and conflict work.

• The peace expert in Colombia contributes to a just and sustainable peace by supporting the implementation of the 2016 peace agreement, particularly its first point on rural reform. The country faces ongoing armed conflict, and multinational enterprises alongside resource extraction threaten the ability of farmers and communities to remain on their land. Additionally, government efforts to dismantle paramilitary structures may lead to tensions and potential violence.
• The advisor works to strengthen the space for supported communities, enabling them to advocate for justice, human and environmental rights, and sustainable resource use without facing forced displacement, violence, or other harm. Through engagement with local organizations and communities, the project ensures that the agreed peace treaty standards reach local populations without obstruction from clientelism. The project fosters resilience by reinforcing community-led initiatives that promote social cohesion, land rights, and conflict prevention.
• The advisor engages in multiple activities, including capacity-building measures, facilitating knowledge exchange among affected communities, and advocating for inclusive policies that protect vulnerable groups. By supporting local peace initiatives, advising stakeholders, and enhancing participatory governance, the project contributes to stabilizing regions most affected by conflict. The advisor’s role also involves monitoring human rights situations and supporting communities in navigating the complex post-conflict landscape, ensuring that peace-building efforts remain community-centered and sustainable.
• SDG targets: 16.1;16.3;16.7