Engaging the FUture of Colombia’s Youth

Workshop Team

Lane Mikula Jonathan William Rosario (Project Manager) (Client Liaison)

Maria Jose Abud Sarah Lorch (Faculty Liaison/ (Fundraising Coordinator) Budget Coordinator)

Table of Contents

● Workshop Team● Project Background● Issue Background● Research & Methodology● Recommendations● Acknowledgements

Project Background

● Client○ Fundación Carvajal

● Rationale○ Needs/aspirations of at-risk youth○ How can the client increase

participation and retention rates?

● Strategy○ Understand population○ Understand problem○ Identify solutions

Issue Background

● NEETs

● Main consequences for the communities are:

○ Environment of violence, insecurity and instability

○ Disaggregation of the communities

○ Reduction of the social and economic development of neighborhoods

○ Negative influence on non-NEET youth

Problem Tree

Issue Background

Common issues for youth:● Dropping out of school● Alcohol and drug consumption● Youth unemployment● High youth pregnancy rates● Lack of interest in the future● Violence

Issue Background

FEMALE YOUTH MALE YOUTH

El Retiro ● Security issues/dating gang members ● Lack of freedom (not able to leave gangs, afraid of being killed)

Ladera ● Victims of youth violence, not exposed to firearms

● Involvement in illegal activities like theft, but little to no firearm use

Buenaventura ● Greater lack of income generation opportunities

● Lack of freedom (youth unable to leave gangs, afraid of being killed)

Research and Methodology

● Focus Groups & Interviews

● Literature Review

● Expert Analysis

● Case Studies

Empathy Map: NEETs

Source: Osterwalder, A. and Pigneur, Y. Designed by Smith, A. Business Model Generation. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2010. reference http://businessmodelgeneration.com/book

Stakeholder Map

Focus Groups

● Education & Future Interests○ Study in college vs. learning a trade

○ Leave Colombia and start a new life

● Family, Partner and Community Relationships○ Strong family support systems in place

○ Teen pregnancy- solidify relationships and start families

○ Envy affects all members of society and can lead to violence

Focus Groups

● Use of Free Time○ Several hours of unoccupied time each day○ Youth want dance classes, sports programs or

music workshops

● Fundación Carvajal’s Work with Youth

○ Golazo program works best○ Fundacion Carvajal is too formal in their

approach toward youth

Literature Review

Main Findings● Peer groups

○ Most effective method to counteract risky behavior

● Counselors○ Must be motivated, understand youth’s challenges, and connect with them

● Programs○ Teach skills which help youth in future○ Youth must be personally invested in the program’s goals and objectives

Expert Analysis

● Trust-Building○ Strong support systems

● Youth Voicing Their Opinion○ Able to have a say in their life’s direction

● Shaping the Future○ Mentoring helps prepare youth for their future

Case Studies

Successful Programs for At-Risk Youth in Latin America

● Education/Drug and Violence Prevention: Guatemala (Guatemala City): Asociación Grupo Ceiba

● Family Relationships: Colombia (Bogotá): Asociación Cristiana de Jóvenes

● Participatory Methodology for Social Development: Colombia (Medellín): Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe: Fénix Program

● Income Generation: International Youth Foundation (Latin America): entra21

Objectives Tree

SWOT Analysis ofFundación Carvajal

Strengths● Trajectory● Multidimensional focus● Team● Inclusive● Research

Weaknesses● Resistance to change● Strategy● Staff training● Beneficiary participation● Information channels

Opportunities● Resources● Networking● Successful cases● Infrastructure

Threats● Environmental factors● Cultural diversity between and within

territories● Political context● Continuity of community displacement

Recommendations

● Horizontal Recommendations

● Pre-Existing Program Recommendations

● New Program Recommendations

Horizontal Recommendations

● Structured Flexibility

● Expanded Channels of Information

● Proactive Engagement

Pre-Existing Programs

● Music Programs○ Allowing youth to express themselves artistically

leads to positive social interaction and higher self-esteem

● Sports Programs○ More flexibility in what kinds of sports are offered

● Parent/Child Programs○ Parent/child movie night once per month

New Programs● Mentoring Pilot Program

○ “Mentorship addresses the present needs of a community and helps prevent future needs from forming” (Nathan Wilda, Young Life)

● Career Services○ Provide career guidance and support to youth

● Community Service and Engagement Projects○ Created and led by youth to address important community

issues

New Programs

● Video Letter Program○ Youth use videos to capture and tell the story of their

lives

● Murals Program○ Mural paintings and art would be a great way to

attract at-risk youth

● Boxing Program○ Expansion of current boxing program to other

communities

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank our client, Fundación Carvajal, for all their generous support throughout our research and fieldwork. We also thank our Faculty Advisor, José Antonio Ocampo, for his extensive guidance and advice, and Jenny McGill and Ilona Vinklerova for their consistent support.

Thank you!

Any questions?