Business, Politics and Urban Peacebuilding in Colombia: The Case of Empresas Públicas de Medellín

In the 1990s, Medellín, Colombia was beset by the world’s highest levels of lethal violence and plagued by social and political crises. Yet, a transformational process of social urbanism has seen political, business and civil society coalitions implement changes that successfully reduced violence and inequality. Central to this process was the public utilities company Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM). This policy brief outlines the role EPM has played in Medellín and offers insights into how private sector actors can support peacebuilding in urban contexts.