InitiativeGhanaVietnamIndonesia+1
Fit4Future
Fit4Future explores how innovation can improve young people’s lives.
Colombia
A country of opportunity and contrasts
Colombia has undergone significant social and economic change over recent decades, with growing cities, expanding opportunities and an active civil society. Today, its urban centres are home to dynamic communities, strong local organisations and young people bringing new ideas and ambitions.
Yet progress has not been equally shared across the country, and significant differences remain between places and communities, while the evolving security situation continues to shape the opportunities and challenges faced by communities across the country.
Challenges
Expanding opportunities for more young people
These differences are particularly visible in the opportunities available to young people. Access to quality education, pathways into employment, supportive services and opportunities to participate in decisions affecting their lives remains uneven. At the same time, young people have valuable perspectives and abilities to contribute to their communities and cities. Colombia’s evolving digital and regulatory landscape creates new possibilities for participation, learning and innovation, and for shaping inclusive, rights-based and responsible approaches to technology.
Cities
Three cities. Three distinct ecosystems
Looking ahead, we will focus our work in Colombia on Barranquilla, Cartagena and Medellín. Each city has different challenges, strengths and opportunities, with active local organisations, partnerships and growing networks providing strong foundations for collaboration. Focusing on these three distinct urban contexts allows us to build on existing strengths, respond to local priorities and connect learning across cities to advance young people’s rights, agency and opportunities.
Building on local strengths to advance young people’s rights, agency, and opportunities.
Approach
Long-term commitment, locally led change
Fondation Botnar is building on more than a decade of partnerships, experience and learning in Colombia. Our programme aims to leverage our past partnerships in the country, connecting local organisations, public institutions, young people, academia and businesses around shared priorities. Designed to be locally led and to evolve over time, it combines long-term commitment with continuous learning and adaptation, while connecting insights and experience across cities and with national actors.
All programmes in Colombia
InitiativeEcuadorColombiaGhana+2
Healthy Cities for Adolescents
With Healthy Cities for Adolescents, young people shape healthier, more responsive cities as equal partners in decisions affecting their lives.
InitiativeColombiaRomaniaGhana+2
OurCity
OurCity supports cities where young people have a say in the decisions that shape their lives.
InitiativeColombiaEcuadorGhana
S²Cities
With S²Cities, young people take the lead in making cities safer and more inclusive through locally driven ideas, innovation and action.
InitiativeColombiaEcuadorIndonesia
Urban Futures
Through Urban Futures, young people shape more inclusive, climate-resilient urban food systems that support healthy, sustainable and affordable nutrition.
InitiativeColombiaSenegal
Young Gamechangers Initiative (YGI)
Through Young Gamechangers Initiative, young people use digital tools to take part in urban planning and shape healthier, safer and more inclusive public spaces
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