Bogotá Study Tour
Join us in Bogotá, Colombia in Spring 2026! Over the course of 5 days, learn directly from Global South leaders on local projects proven to deliver community based outcomes in transportation, health, and sustainability with research backed by the Wellcome Trust and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Day 1
Thursday
Travel & Orientation
Day 2
Friday
Peer Learning
Day 3
Saturday
TransMiCable
Day 4
Sunday
Ciclovía
Day 5
Monday
Travel
Alexa Young, CA
TRANSPORTATION
“On Sunday, 15 December 1974, a group of residents in Bogotá, Colombia, tried an experiment: they closed 5 kilometres of a major road in the city to cars for a few hours. Ciclovía, also known as Open Streets, was born. Since then it has become a reference, inspiring more than 400 cities [worldwide] to replicate similar programmes.”
“Here are three lessons from the last 50 years which can inspire transformation in other cities around the world: Transitioning from car-centric mobility is possible; Public space can foster healthy cities and citizens; AND Streets can connect people and build a cohesive city.”
Morgan James, NY
HEALTH
"Through our grants, we aimed to answer key questions about global practices that could improve outcomes in the U.S. Here’s what we learned:
Cities can serve as incubators for innovative policies and practices, and that many around the world are leading the way.
Bogotá, Colombia developed a comprehensive Care System, which includes Care Blocks, Care Buses, and Care Home Assistance. These initiatives provide training and support to caregivers, who are mostly women, and also aim to equip men to take on a fair share of caregiving responsibilities. "
Lisa Driver, MI
SUSTAINABILITY
Colombia is ranked number 38, and among the top 40 globally, of countries in terms of system performance and transition readiness for global energy transition.
The three dimensions of the Energy Transition Index score include security, equity, and sustainability. Other noted factors include policy commitment and clean energy investment.
"Energy systems must be resilient, flexible and able to scale clean technologies, improve efficiency, secure critical inputs and reduce emissions from legacy infrastructure."
WHO IS THE STUDY TOUR FOR?
PHILANTHROPY
Conveners & Capacity Builders
For foundations that serve as an anchor institution for the community to convene, build capacity, and generate big ideas. For innovative foundations engaged in impact investing.
GOVERNMENT
Elected Officials & Planners
For elected officials passionate about working at the intersection of community development & community engagement to drive economic, environment, and/or health outcomes.
BUSINESS
Mixed Use & Small Developers
For mixed use developers, small scale developers, and real estate professionals that value public private partnerships and adding community benefits to their development projects.
COMMUNITY
Nonprofits & Individuals
For non profits focused on community development, coalition building, community engagement, or the social determinants of health. For individuals looking for innovative ideas.
JOIN US IN BOGOTÁ!
Learn from global experts and provide local solutions for your community.
Big Ideas in Action provides capacity building through peer learning, cultural & educational programing, and technical assistance to communities in the United States seeking to advance community development solutions in the areas of transportation, health, and sustainability.
Partner organizations receive 1:1 guidance on local investments, policies, projects, and partnerships with the goal to ensure long-term community outcomes. This is done through a tailored engagement and 1 week Study Tour in Bogotà, Colombia in Spring 2026.
TRANSPORTATION TRACK
Bogotà is providing good community development and civic engagement lessons for cities in active mobility. 50 years ago, Bogotá, Colombia began Ciclovía, also known as the Open Streets movement, which influenced policies in 400 cities worldwide.
Amidst being a city of nearly 8 million people, 7% of daily trips are made by bike. Bogotá is also home to innovative Bus Rapid Transit and Cable Car systems.
HEALTH TRACK
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation identified Bogotá, Cololmbia's comprehensive Care System as a global practice that can improve United States health outcomes. Bogota's implementation of Care Blocks, integrates a system of care into public facilities, public transportation, and incorporates business partnerships.
This mobility of care system has greatly improved community health outcomes, especially for women, improving equity in vulnerable communities. A comprehensive policy with government, the community, and local business partners is behind the system's success.
SUSTAINABILITY TRACK
World Economic Forum ranked Colombia among the top 40 globally in terms of system performance and transition readiness for global energy transition. The three dimensions measured include security, equity, and sustainability.
Bogotá's urban cable car system, TransMiCable, began operations in December 2018. Designed to transport 26,000 passengers per day, TransMiCable operates 163 solar-powered cabins. Riders have experienced a decrease in exposure to particulate matter, black carbon, and other pollutants that are harmful for the health of the population.
HOW INFRASTRUCTURE CAN IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE
Dr. C. Erik Vergel-Tovar is an Associate Professor with a joint appointment at the School of Architecture and Design, the Interdisciplinary Center for Development Studies CIDER and theSchool of Social Sciences at Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia. He received his PhD in City and Regional Planning at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as Fulbright scholar. He received a Master’s of Urban Management and Development with Distinction at the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies IHSat the Erasmus University of Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
He studied Architecture at theNational University of Colombia in Bogota (Colombia) and participated in the Land Readjustment International Training Course offered by the Japanese International CooperationAgency JICA in Tokyo, Japan. He has working experience as urban planner and policy maker on urban development and housing policies in government agencies in Colombia and research experience regarding the relationship between transport, mobility and urban development with land and housing policies in Latin America, the United States and India.
IMPROVING COMMUNITY HEALTH OUTCOMES
Dr. Olga L. Sarmiento is a Professor of the Department of Public Health at the School of Medicine at Universidad de los Andes (Bogota, Colombia). She holds an M.D. from the Universidad Javeriana (Bogota), an M.P.H., and a Ph.D. from the Department of Epidemiology at the School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Currently she is the director of the Group of Epidemiology at the Universidad de los Andes. She is a board member of the International Society of Physical Activity and Health and the Global Advocacy for Physical Activity (GAPA) council.
In 2011 she received the Honorary Distinction from The National Institute of Sports in Colombia (Coldeportes Nacional) for the academic work towards promoting healthy behaviors in Colombia. Her current research interests include physical activity, nutrition and built environment among the populations of children and adults in Latin America. She is currently working in the IPEN Network (International Physical Activity, and Environment Network), the evaluation of the effectiveness of the Recreovia Program for the promotion of physical activity in community settings, the Challenge Score for evaluating the Ciclovías Recreativas of the Americas and The International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment (ISCOLE). Her work has been published in prestigious journals including the Lancet, The American Journal of Public Health and Social Science and Medicine.