Status
ImplementationAid type
Project-type interventionsColombia
Location
-
€ 2,000,000
Committed
Committed
€ 1,400,000
Used
Used
Description
The LOAD project arises from the need to address the challenges faced by young people in Colombia, particularly those living in vulnerable conditions. This initiative operates within a context marked by limited educational opportunities, a high youth unemployment rate, and widespread informal employment. Moreover, young people face a dual exclusion: on one hand, they encounter employment difficulties; on the other, they suffer from discrimination related to their social status. This combination of factors makes their socio-economic integration complex and requires targeted interventions to overcome these barriers. For these reasons, the project aims to address these issues with a three-year initiative whose General Objective is to contribute to achieving SDGs 1, 4, 5, and 8 by providing vulnerable people with access to productive work in conditions of freedom, equality, security, and dignity (Decent Work ILO), while mitigating discrimination, preventing recidivism and risks of violence, and contributing to peacebuilding in Colombia. The Specific Objective aims to increase employment and small businesses for the most vulnerable population groups in the four cities of Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and Barranquilla through a coordinated action among ublic/private/CSOs, with a priority on the inclusion of Afro-descendants, the migrant population, and youth, including the ultra-vulnerable in conflict with the law, leveraging the triangulation of experiences and best practices learned from previous Italian cooperation projects. The project proposal focuses on three components: 1) Training and work inclusion. The initiative aims to increase the employment of young people in vulnerable conditions or in conflict with the law. It provides training programs on digital literacy, STEM skills, and targeted technical training to bridge the gap between the skills required by the job market and those possessed by beneficiaries, facilitating their work inclusion. 2) Entrepreneurship. Young people have access to a training and support program on entrepreneurship and microenterprise management to develop and grow their new businesses. 3) Triangular Cooperation between Colombia, Kenya, and Italy. The initiative aims to improve the socio-labor inclusion of young people in conflict with the law through the exchange of experiences and best practices among public officials, resulting in the production of a guidelines manual, and among young people, creating a virtual community for the exchange of information and knowledge. Throughout the project, special attention is given to women, who often face higher barriers to accessing the labor market compared to men and are forced to seek employment in the informal care sector. The project is based on a solid partnership comprising public institutions (APC, ICBF, SENA) and various actors with a strong presence in the territory (Bogotá Chamber of Commerce, COMFENALCO, MAKAIA), who are experts in vocational training, digital skills, job placement, and business creation. The project generates both short-term and long-term impacts, leading to increased job and business opportunities, greater well-being, and reduced discrimination faced by the target groups. Specifically, by enhancing the skills and awareness of young people, the project reduces the risk of recidivism and reoffending, creating a positive impact at the community level. Additionally, the strengthening of public officials' competencies ensures lasting positive effects, generating a multiplier effect among operators in the juvenile justice system and contributing to the achievement of the SDGs.
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| Year | Committed | Used |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | € 2,000,000 | € 1,400,000 |
Agency
| Type | Name | Channel code |
|---|---|---|
| Government | AICS - Italian Agency for Cooperation and Development | 11000 |
Channel reported
| Type | Name | Channel code |
|---|---|---|
| National NGO | FONDAZIONE L'ALBERO DELLA VITA ONLUS | 22000 |
Project data
Sectors
Policy markers
SDGs
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