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Colombia

Colombia has been scarred by an armed conflict lasting more than 50 years, fuelled in particular by drug trafficking and involving many armed and paramilitary groups. Despite the peace agreement signed in 2016 between the government and the FARC, violence persists in several regions of the country. The army, guerrilla groups, paramilitary groups and dissidents continue to fight for control of territory and trafficking.

Nearly 18,000 children are thought to have been recruited as soldiers, whilst others are exploited by criminal gangs. These children are used as fighters, informants, drug dealers or hired killers. In over 50 years, the conflict has left more than 260,000 dead, 45,000 missing and nearly 8 million internally displaced people. Drug trafficking and ongoing violence continue to undermine the peace and protection of civilians.

Hilos de Paz — Medellín & Cali

Since 2018Local partner: Corporación Proyectarte

A child behind a cardboard lion mask, in front of a mural
children taken in
80
places available
80
age of the beneficiaries
14–18 years

Each child is supported through a group programme based on art and sport, to develop their individual skills and gradually build their life plan.

Individual empowerment

  • Developing psychosocial skills through art and sports therapies
  • Creating stories from individual testimonies
  • Support for family meetings

Social dialogue

  • Awareness-raising and dialogue with society
  • Creating digital content
  • Sharing exchanges and experiences to contribute to peacebuilding

Creative knowledge management

  • Systematising experience
  • Transfer of methods
  • Programme monitoring and evaluation
  • Ongoing training for the teams
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