Our Projects and Partners
We work closely with local organisations in Colombia to tackle the most pressing issues affecting the wellbeing and rights of children, young people and their communities.
Our projects
Youth Reintegration into Society
CHILD RECRUITMENT INTO ARMED GROUPS
We provide a community-based approach to psychosocial care, trauma and reintegration to help children at risk of joining gangs and victims of forced recruitment to access resources needed to deal with trauma. We’re working with Fundación CRAN and Tiempo de Juego to enhance positive relationships within the community and to change situations of vulnerability and criminality.
Educational projects in Antioquia
EXCLUSION FROM EDUCATION
We’re working Fundación Oro Molido in Antioquia to provide educational opportunities for rural students including: research projects, scholarship opportunities for technical and professional careers, a music academy and three bands which represent their municipalities regionally and nationally to promote music as a means for peace and development in communities.
Scholarship programme
EXCLUSION FROM EDUCATION
In partnership with Colombian universities, we are providing full scholarships to young people who participate in our current education projects. In addition to tuition fees, the scholars are provided with work tools and psycho-social support during their studies.
Read more Preventing the Recruitment and Use of Children by Criminal and Armed Groups in Colombia
CHILD RECRUITMENT INTO ARMED GROUPS
In partnership with CRAN, this project prevents the recruitment and exploitation of children and young people across five Colombian departments, while supporting those affected in their reintegration; through psychosocial support, digital literacy, livelihood training and community prevention efforts.
Football for Peace
CHILD RECRUITMENT INTO ARMED GROUPS
This project with ACADESAN and GIZ harnesses the power of sport to strengthen the socioemotional skills of children and young people in nine communities of the San Juan River area in Chocó. In doing so, we hope to prevent forced recruitment, sexual violence and sexual exploitation, as well as promoting gender equality and care strategies to prevent sexual violence.
Paz a la Mochila
EXCLUSION FROM EDUCATION
Paz a la Mochila, or the ‘peace backpack’, is a toolkit for teachers and leaders who work with children and adolescents so that they can educate communities on truth, non-repetition and peace-building. We are piloting this project in areas where we currently work.
Humanitarian Emergency Response in Chocó
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
We are constructing a multipurpose centre and shelter to help ACADESAN to receive displaced families in humanitarian emergencies and to provide a space for communities to gather and to participate in activities held by ACADESAN.
Preventing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Colombia
PREVENTION OF SGBV
Implemented in Bogotá, Barranquilla, Santa Marta, and Cartagena in partnership with the YMCA, Fundación Julie, Universidad del Sinú, and Universidad Reformada, this initiative strengthens at-risk children through support, education, and engagement.
STEAM Lab Sierra Nevada
EXCLUSION FROM EDUCATION
In Minca, Magdalena, the STEAM Lab, run with Universidad del Norte and Misión Gaia, empowers rural youth with education in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. Equipped with modern tools for robotics, coding, and digital design, the project fosters creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking while bridging the educational and digital divide for young learners.
Education, Livelihoods and Entrepreneurship
EXCLUSION FROM EDUCATION
Our project with Misión Gaia aims to improve the quality of education in rural schools with a focus on English language skills and STEAM. We also provide vocational and entrepreneurial training with an emphasis on eco-tourism and green jobs, so that locals can benefit from their biodiverse territory.
Project "Sé"
EXCLUSION FROM EDUCATION
We’re providing a multipurpose education centre for rural and indigenous communities in La Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The space will be used as a library and also to hold cultural sessions, community meetings, and other activities. At the centre, Oro Molido will offer educational sessions and connection to the internet to better support the communities.
Young Livelihoods & Bilinguism in Santander
EXCLUSION FROM EDUCATION
This project empowers adolescents along the Cacao Route in Santander by strengthening English, entrepreneurship, and employability skills. Through language classes, financial literacy workshops, and business development opportunities, it equips young people to create livelihood initiatives, boost confidence, and contribute to a sustainable local economy.
Humanitarian Response in Catatumbo
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
In Catatumbo, CCC and Fundación 5 Sentidos created safe spaces, offering art and creative workshops alongside psychosocial support to help young people cope with trauma. Parenting sessions and food deliveries have also been part of the support to promote wellbeing during displacement.
Emergency Appeal We have carefully designed and implemented our projects to tackle key neglected issues impacting the rights and wellbeing of Colombian children. We carry out our projects in the regions most impacted by conflict, poverty and inequality, so that every child in Colombia can enjoy a safe and happy childhood.
Our partners
We carry out all of our projects in collaboration with local grassroots organisations to ensure that our work has the most impact possible on children, their families and communities.
ACADESAN
ACADESAN was one of the first ethnic-territorial organisations to promote recognition of the Afro-Colombian ethnic group, the collective titling of lands of black communities, and the regulations that supported the process of inclusion.
Asociación Cristiana de Jóvenes (ACJ)
ACJ (known as YMCA in English) is one of the oldest youth charities in the world. They’re a global organisation with a local impact, working in Colombia to combat sexual exploitation and gangs, and to help children that have fled their homes.
Fundación CRAN
Fundación CRAN works with families and communities to create safe and caring environments for children to grow up in, and where those affected by the armed conflict can recover their rights.
Fundación Oro Molido
The Oro Molido Foundation is a nonprofit established in 2015 in Medellín, Colombia, focused on improving development opportunities for children and youth in rural coffee-growing communities. It achieves this through sustainable programs in health, education, and infrastructure aimed at reducing inequality and expanding access to opportunities.
Misión Gaia
Misión Gaia works to protect ecosystems by empowering local communities through education, regenerative practices, and sustainable development initiatives. Its programs focus on environmental education, agroecology, waste management, and livelihoods, with the core belief that strong, engaged communities are essential for conservation.
Stop the Traffik
STOP THE TRAFFIK is a global movement which exists to build resilient communities to disrupt and prevent human trafficking through partnerships, a shared intelligence platform, and resources to equip people in spotting and preventing illicit activities.
Futbol Pazifico
Fútbol Pazífico works to transform the lives of children and youth in Tumaco by using sports, education, and human rights initiatives to help them build positive life paths away from violence. Its programs focus on football as a tool for social change, education for opportunity, and promoting human rights to create safer, more resilient communities.
Fundacion Julie
Fundación Julie is a nonprofit in Cartagena dedicated to empowering vulnerable girls and adolescents through comprehensive programs that support their education, leadership, and personal development. Inspired by the legacy of Julie Isabel Zurek de Ardila, it focuses on promoting women’s dignity and helping them build stronger futures for themselves and their communities.
Universidad del Sinu Cartagena
The Universidad del Sinú, founded in 1974 in Montería by Elías Bechara Zainúm, grew from a small educational institution into a nationally recognized university with campuses in Cartagena and Bogotá. Over time, it has expanded its academic programs and earned multiple accreditations, establishing itself as a leading institution committed to quality education and societal development in Colombia.
Universidad Reformada Barranquilla
The Universidad Reformada is a higher education organization founded by the Presbyterian Church of Colombia, dedicated to providing quality education and fulfilling a social mission through knowledge, ethics, and cultural development. It promotes academic excellence, critical thinking, inclusivity, and environmental responsibility to support regional and national progress.
Universidad del Norte
Universidad del Norte is committed to providing holistic higher education that combines academic excellence, research, and social responsibility to drive sustainable development, particularly in Colombia’s Caribbean region. It aims to develop ethical, innovative leaders who actively contribute to society, while striving to be an inclusive, globally engaged institution by 2028.
Diocesis de Tibu
The Diocese of Tibú traces its origins to 1940, when a Catholic mission was established in the region to serve local communities, later evolving into a formal ecclesiastical jurisdiction. Over the decades, it grew through missionary work and leadership transitions, becoming an official diocese in 1999 and continuing its pastoral mission under successive bishops.
Politecnico Grancolombiano
Politécnico Grancolombiano is a university institution focused on practical education, entrepreneurship, and innovation, aiming to transform lives and help students achieve their goals. It is guided by values such as equality, generosity, kindness, solidarity, and honesty in serving its academic community.
Areandina University
Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina is a multicampus higher education institution with over 40 years of experience, offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across Colombia and beyond. With a strong national presence and high-quality accreditation, it focuses on expanding access to education and training thousands of students nationwide.
