Location and general information
Categories
Access to Sport - 
Conflict victims - 
Gender Equality - 
Healthy lifestyle - 
Personal development
Access to Sport - Conflict victims - Gender Equality - Healthy lifestyle - Personal developmentContext
Gang-related crime is a growing problem across the world. Known as the capital of violence and cocaine use, the Colombian city of Medellin is home to over 100 gangs that recruit teenage children to carry out criminal activities (murder, drug dealing, armed robbery, prostitution, etc.). Football has been found to be highly effective in protecting young people in vulnerable neighbourhoods against recruitment by armed gangs.
Project goals
- Prevent children being recruited by criminal gangs
- Promote social transformation and peaceful coexistence in vulnerable neighbourhoods
- Improve children’s physical and mental health
- Promote children’s rights and psychosocial care
- Empower children and foster their personal development
Project content
The project will reach 320 children (30% of them girls) in two vulnerable neighbourhoods in the outskirts of Medellin, with the following activities run in each one by football coaches, psychologists and social workers:
- Five weekly football training sessions
- Participation in different leagues
- Eight psychosocial workshops a month for children and/or families, promoting psychological well-being, social cohesion and non-violent conflict resolution
- Individual psychosocial support when required, for example for victims of domestic abuse and children who are struggling academically
Partners
