Hi there - this seems like a great idea that brings together a lot of very pertinent considerations. The point about ensuring employment for stigmatised ex-combatants who might otherwise be at risk of entering the illicit economy is excellent and something you see around the world, and now is clearly the time to be supporting this type of work in Colombia.

One question / comment I'd have - I'm a little unclear on if this is to take place in existing communities, or to found an entirely new village based on the description you provide? If so, how will you decide where it will be sited? Presumably there would be lots of other very tricky issues involved in this.

Thanks and good luck.

Hi - this seems like a great idea and I hope it gets off the ground. I completely support the fact that you're not just challenging the rhetoric around the (very depressing) narrative that refugees are a burden on host countries, but actually putting into action a mechanism to demonstrate the opposite. Good on you.

One question / comment I'd have - it sounds like you've done a great job of addressing the economic and business aspects of the issue, but I assume you'd also provide cultural / psychosocial support to refugees to integrate into their host countries? Also, from a family context, would the idea be to support one individual first who would then be able to bring family members over later? I imagine that despite the support on the employment front it might still be an extremely isolating and stressful experience. You do allude to it as I assume these issues would come under identifying barriers to economic migration - but interested to hear your thoughts. Thanks and good luck.

I think this is a great idea and I wish you success with it. I used to teach English at a social club for migrants and refugees in London, and one of the things that always struck me was the way in which children from an amazingly diverse range of backgrounds were eminently capable of causing good-natured chaos together. It was great, and I think your project really speaks to this truth.

One comment/question I'd have - and please forgive my ignorance of child psychology - are there culturally different types of play? Ie I wonder if in future iterations you might be able to have boxes that contain parts that relate to but bring together children from different parts of the world. I know I said that kids connect no matter what (and this is obviously what your research says as well) but perhaps you could even explicitly used different configurations to bring local and refugee children together so they can learn about each others' background. Just an idea!