Neiva's Commune 10 was initially an informal settlement formed by displaced persons running away from armed conflicts. This slum was characterised by lack of access roads, water and sanitation services, and other social services. The Municipality of Neiva led an initiative to improve the living conditions in Commune 10. There were a number of changes in the way the municipality ran its affairs to allow for input by citizens on how to plan and implement development programmes based on the most pressing issues. The programme has led to increased community participation where 40 grassroots organizations have contributed to the visioning process. The action plan for urban development has led to improvement in the community’s living conditions through improved access to health, education, sports, culture, recreation facilities, and access to public services such as water supply, sanitation, sewer and public roads. The most significant achievement is the sense of ownership that both the local administration and the community have in the development process. Promoting important cultural aspects of the local family-centered society and of women’s skills as primary caregivers allows the community to form support groups for vulnerable families where nutritional / culinary and educational skills are shared with mothers.