Helping Bogotá build the future of education

We provided expert advice on the project’s technical side to get things started. We then assist with the social and environmental aspects to help ensure the schools are safe, sustainable, and built to last.

Our support on the project worked in two key phases:

Phase 1 – Planning and Structuring. When the project began, we carried out technical due diligence on the school sites and support services. Our initial findings helped shape the PPP contract and other documents needed to start the procurement process. We then developed the feasibility, technical, and socio-environmental support studies necessary to deliver the PPP contract. This work made sure the project fits both global best practices and local rules.

Phase 2 – Supporting the Transaction. Today, we’re helping Bogotá’s education department run its bidding process. We’ll write the bid documents, test the market, join workshops, and answer bidder questions. We’ll stay involved until the PPP contract is awarded.

Our value lies in reducing uncertainty. We help IFC plan with confidence, cutting risk, clarifying the process, and ensuring every school design meets the right safety and quality standards.

We also make sure the schools work for their communities. That means looking beyond technical checklists to support social and community needs, too.

Six schools will be built on sites with old buildings that need to be replaced. The other three are brand-new, and will be built from scratch.

All nine will improve daily life for students and teachers. The schools will offer:

• Modern classrooms with the right technology
• Clean, accessible spaces with better lighting and air
• Spaces for creative and scientific activities
• Secure entry points and well-lit areas
• Staff trained in safety and safeguarding
• Shared spaces for the wider community

These schools are designed to be more than buildings; they are places that support learning, safety, and pride.

One of the biggest challenges is how to keep the school running while six of the sites are being rebuilt.

We helped the client plan safe and practical ways to relocate students and staff during the work. These plans protected learning time and made sure students stayed in a safe, supportive environment.

The new schools will help more students learn in safe, modern spaces. They will also create room for growth in fast-growing areas of Bogotá.

These schools will ease overcrowding, raise education standards, and give neighborhoods a new source of pride.

Our role is to ensure that the new schools are not only technically sound but also provide a high-quality experience for pupils and staff. We proposed something safe, inclusive, and aligned with IFC standards.

“By combining our technical expertise with a deep understanding of the local context, we helped the client make informed decisions and deliver facilities that will have a lasting impact on public education in Bogotá.” – Enrique Chaques, Director

As advisors, we’re proud to play a part in delivering that future.