As part of the multi-stakeholder initiative Guias Colombia, the Bogota Chamber of Commerce and Fundación Ideas Para la Paz (FIP) will launch the Human Rights Due Diligence Guide for SMEs. The launch will take place at the CCB's Salitre Business Center, located at Av El Dorado #68 D-35 floor 1 (auditorium) from 8:00 am to 10:00 am.

This guide allows SMEs to effectively manage their due diligence processes, as it was designed according to their needs and by having practical tools it facilitates their understanding of these issues.

This guide seeks to support companies and prepare them to align their operations with the highest international standards in Responsible Business Conduct and market requirements. Benefits of using the guide: 1. To help companies participate more easily in the national and global economy. This, in turn, will enable sustainability and a higher level of competitiveness. 2. To help the company respond in an adequate and relevant manner to the growing expectations of its investors or its clients' investors regarding the management of labor, environmental and human rights issues.

3. Attract and retain qualified personnel and help improve productivity, staff performance and a favorable work climate in your company. 4. To enhance the reputation and image that employees, customers, investors and consumers, as well as society in general, have of your SME. This represents a greater brand loyalty and, therefore, the sustainability of the business.

5. It will benefit your participation in the global supply chain and decrease the likelihood of your company facing lawsuits. It will also prevent you from incurring additional costs in dealing with these lawsuits and potentially disrupting your operations. Nicolás Uribe Rueda, president of the Bogota Chamber of Commerce stated that "From the CCB we have focused our efforts on accompanying SMEs so that they understand and promote a Business and Human Rights agenda. For this reason, with the Ideas for Peace Foundation and as part of the Colombia Guides process, we decided to build a Due Diligence Guide on Human Rights".

The construction of this Guide responds to a participatory exercise in which workshops were held with the participation of a total of 24 managers, directors and leaders of SMEs from different sectors, who contributed their knowledge and experience to build it.