Location and general information
Access to Sport - 
Gender Equality - 
Personal developmentContext
Timbiquí is a small village located on the Colombian Pacific coast. Historically, this region has suffered from the Colombian armed conflict, as well as exclusion and state abandonment caused by corruption and geographical isolation. Partly because of this, illegal armed groups and structures have occupied this territory, establishing a parallel economy heavily based on illegal mining and coca plantations. All of this has caused Timbiquí to be left behind in social and economic development, reducing opportunities for the local population. Immersed in this reality, children and young people from Timbiquí struggle to find positive role models and hope, tending in many cases to get involved in illegal activities as they have no other choice.
Project content
We aim to use football as a tool to raise awareness of the importance of life projects for children and teenagers, to counteract the risks they face. To achieve this, we will create football schools for 500 children, and use a multiple psychosocial approach to enhance their decision-making processes. In addition, we will hold football festivals, to celebrate the community’s capacities and talents, involve relevant stakeholders and sports personalities, and inspire children and teenagers to pursue positive life projects.
Objectives
Promote the youngsters’ sense of belonging to their region, to counteract the negative alternatives and the risks they are constantly exposed to, foster life projects that benefit their region, and keep them safe from illegal activities and gang recruitment.
Project activities
- Weekly football sessions: Over the period of a year, we will hold weekly football sessions for 500 children in Timbiquí, using football3 methodology.
- Football festivals: Every six months, we will organise football festivals and invite the whole community to take part, to raise community awareness through games. Various sports personalities will be invited to attend, to inspire children and young people to create positive life projects.
- Local leaders training: We will train local leaders in technical, psychosocial and teaching skills, so they can replicate this knowledge among children around Timbiquí.
Expected results
- 500 children and young people attend football schools, which promote positive sport-related life projects.
- By the end of the project, at least 80% of participants will identify with positive role models within their communities.
- By the end of the project, at least 70% of participants perceive they have improved their decision-making process related to their life project.
- At least eight football festivals are held in four different rural communities.
- At least six local leaders are involved in weekly psychosocial training.
Partner
