ICBF reviews agreement with CRIC over childcare contracts

The Colombian Institute of Family Welfare (ICBF) has challenged an agreement signed between its Cauca regional office and the Regional Indigenous Council of Cauca (CRIC). The ICBF announced that the decisions contained in Acta No. 11 will not take effect, arguing that the regional directorate assumed commitments exceeding its delegated authority.

The dispute involves contractual conditions for early childhood care in the Cauca department. A primary point of contention is a 2% counterpart requirement for early childhood operators, which the ICBF maintains is mandatory. The agency stated that the regional office departed from public contracting rules and national instructions, noting that Decree Law 481 of 2025 does not eliminate obligations related to the management of public resources.

The ICBF intends to select operators in accordance with current law and its contracting manual, while implementing measures to prevent service interruptions for children in the region.