Cauca de Oportunidades Colombia
Award-winning program provides opportunities for growth and development in Colombia
With a presence in Colombia for more than 80 years, Smurfit Westrock maintains a deep and long-standing commitment to the country’s social and environmental development. In a region historically affected by inequality and conflict, one program — a Cauca of Opportunities — brings together rural technical education, local entrepreneurship development and environmental conservation. The Portafolio Awards recently recognized the program and its impacts with a 2025 Award for Corporate Social Responsibility.
The fruits of community partnership
Over the last 40 years, the program has impacted education, income generation and environmental conservation in the Cauca region by working with people in rural and urban communities to build long-term opportunities. In 2024 the program connected with over 2,800 people and generated over 850 jobs in cities such as Popayan, Timbio, Cajibio, Suarez, El Tambo and Sotara.
Through its work, Smurfit Westrock and its foundation supported:
- 1,145 graduates from the Agricultural and Forestry Technical Institutes (ITAF), consistently performing above-national averages.
- 865 rural entrepreneurs — half of them women — with sales of more than COP 1.38 billion.
- The protection of 382 hectares of natural forests and the planting of 135,000 trees.
- The strengthening of 113 rural aqueduct intakes, which provided safer water to nearly 29,000 people.
A community model that works
Cauca de Oportunidades runs an integrated territorial development model. From the territory out, multiple stakeholders collaborate with communities, local governments, academia, companies, foundations and international partners to form initiatives that specifically benefit various groups in the region. This approach ensures each initiative responds to the real priorities of the communities and is led by them, strengthening ownership and long-term sustainability.
The Portafolio Awards
Regarded as the Oscars of Colombian business, the Portafolio Awards have celebrated excellence, innovation, and social responsibility among companies and leaders driving Colombia's economic and social progress for over 30 years. Colombia's leading business newspaper and Casa Editorial El Tiempo, the country's most influential media group, organize the awards every year. Smurfit Westrock was selected as the 2025 winner among high-caliber finalists including Sodimac Homecenter, PepsiCo, Henkel and Nespresso (Nestlé).
“This recognition celebrates the power of collaborative work grounded in listening and respect. In Cauca, we have learned that meaningful development grows alongside the communities themselves. This award motivates us to continue building alliances that create real opportunities in the territories,” said Germán Gambini, CEO of Smurfit Westrock for the Central Cluster.
Cauca de Oportunidades also recently won the BritCham Award—organized by the Colombian-British Chamber of Commerce it recognizes the most outstanding business initiatives in sustainability, climate action and social innovation. The program reinforces Smurfit Westrock’s commitment to shared wellbeing, community leadership and environmental sustainability.
Smurfit Westrock has a deep commitment to supporting the communities in which we live and work and championing the vulnerable. Each year our employees continue to generously give their time, energy, and expertise, to empower communities, encourage wellbeing and inspire future generations.