Latin America and Caribbean Initiative to Promote Stability, Democracy and the Rules-Based International Order (LAK-FSDRIO) - Initiative overview - key activities

Oct 22, 2026

Provides an overview of the Latin America and Caribbean Initiative to Promote Stability, Democracy and the Rules-Based International Order (LAK-FSDRIO). Describes background and cooperation goals for strengthening regional stabilisation, including a women’s network Unidas launched in 2019 and its focus on women’s rights, peace and security, and gender justice. Outlines cooperation on the rule of law through trainings on criminal justice, prosecution of gender-based violence cases, and investigation of corruption. Summarizes foreign policy dialogue formats with partners such as the OAS and CIM, plus project information including duration and first phase.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Background

Women’s network Unidas

Cooperation on the rule of law

Foreign policy dialogues

Project information

Latin America and Caribbean Initiative to Promote Stability, Democracy and the Rules-Based International Order (LAK-FSDRIO) Background Latin America and the Caribbean are politically, culturally and economically important cooperation partners for Germany and Europe. To support cooperation with the region and strengthen regional stabilisation efforts, the German Federal Foreign Office (FFO) launched a Latin America and Caribbean Initiative (LAC-Initiative) in 2019. It sets a framework for political relations, joint projects or policy dialogues on issues such as the rule of law and women’s rights. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH has several project activities that support the efforts of the Federal Foreign Office and contribute to the LAC-Initiative: Women’s network Unidas The women’s network Unidas was launched in May 2019 with the aim of fostering dialogue among its members on women’s rights and gender justice. Around 350 members and nine partner organisations from Latin America, the Caribbean and Germany have joined the network so far. Unidas has been under the patronage of German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock since March 2022. Through its close ties to the German Federal Foreign Office, Unidas is also part of and a contribution to a feminist foreign policy. The day-to-day tasks of the network are undertaken by the GIZ and comprise the work with member organisations and individuals to coordinate the network’s activities, which include national and supra-regional network meetings, workshops and events on the Unidas’ focus areas: - Women’s rights and democracy - Women, Peace and Security Agenda - Violence against women and feminicide - Women’s participation in the economy © Juan Camilo Martínez | Unidas Week in Cali/Colombia (June 2023) Unidas promotes exchanges between its members through thematic dialogues and trainings e.g., on sexual and reproductive health and rights in LAC and Germany. Currently, Unidas is focusing on feminist foreign policies, the nexus climate-gender-security and online gender-based violence. Cooperation on the rule of law The LAC Initiative collaborates with regional counterparts to improve legal procedures and equal access to rights. This work includes the presentation and exchange of knowledge on good practices in the field of criminal justice in a number of countries in the LAC region. Based on regional best practices, the German Federal Foreign Office offers trainings together with the Justice Studies Center of the Americas, a think tank of the Inter-American system of the Organization of American States (OAS) . The trainings enhance competencies for the prosecution of gender-based violence cases and the investigation of corruption. The trainings are offered in online or blended formats (online learning together with face-to-face practical training) . They are based on mutual learning aimed at improving the effectiveness and efficiency in the investigation and prosecution of unbiased criminal justice processes. The courses and exercises contained therein are designed to increase awareness upon victims' needs, strengthen objective investigation methods, assess risks for the process and the victims, as well as to improve cooperation between different state actors within the criminal justice process. Throughout the trainings, officials (prosecutors, investigating authorities and judges) are shown examples of measures applied in local systems that can improve their work processes. The trainings are also available to civil society organisations. © JSCA|Closing ceremony of a training programme, Oaxaca/Mexico (February 2024) Foreign policy dialogues In close alignment with the German foreign policy agenda with the LAC-region, the project supports the Federal Foreign Office in the organisation and implementation of dialogue formats. The formats of foreign policy dialogues offer the opportunity to discuss best practice approac

FAQs

What is the LAK-FSDRIO initiative and why was it launched?

It is a framework for political relations, joint projects, and policy dialogues supporting stability, democracy, and rule-of-law goals in Latin America and the Caribbean. The German Federal Foreign Office launched it in 2019 to strengthen regional stabilisation efforts.

What does Unidas focus on within the initiative?

Unidas fosters dialogue on women’s rights and gender justice. Its focus areas include women’s rights and democracy, Women, Peace and Security, violence against women and feminicide, and women’s participation in the economy.

How does the initiative support the rule of law in the region?

It collaborates with regional counterparts to improve legal procedures and equal access to rights. Trainings enhance competencies for prosecuting gender-based violence cases and investigating corruption, with mutual learning methods and examples of practical measures.

Which partners are involved in the foreign policy dialogue formats?

The project organizes dialogue formats aligned with the German foreign policy agenda. It also cooperates with the Organisation of American States (OAS) and relevant bodies such as the Commission of Women (CIM), including events addressing access to rights for rural women.

Oct 22, 2026

Uploaded by Lucas Martin