Project description

YCI received a grant in June 2004 from the Baring Foundation International Programme to implement a capacity building project in Colombia with former child soldiers. The project commenced in October 2004 and will run for three years. Its overall aim is to develop the capacity of YCI and over 20 local community based organisations (CBOs) and NGOs to raise awareness of the needs of long-term internally displaced former child soldiers in Colombia and internationally and to initiate innovative and collaborative approaches to support the comprehensive rehabilitation and reintegration of this marginalised group into new communities.

The project was designed in response to a rising number of displaced child soldiers requiring urgent short and long-term rehabilitation. It is estimated that approximately 11,000 under-18s are estimated to participate as irregular combatants in Colombia’s 40-year civil war.

Key beneficiaries

· 500 former child soldiers participate in two pilot rehabilitation projects implemented in Bogotá and Bucaramanga by the YMCAs

· 1,500 former child soldiers benefit from improved rehabilitation and support services implemented by over 20 NGOs participating in capacity building

· 80 social work/ youth work professionals from at least 20 CBOs/ NGOs participate in training course and network events

· 160 professionals working to support displaced former child soldiers through participation in networks and inter-institutional collaboration

Main objectives

1. To help local CBOs, NGOs and government in Colombia understand the particular needs and the difficult circumstances of displaced child soldiers in order to inform the development of appropriate and coherent policy and programmes to ensure rehabilitation and reintegration into civilian life

2. To develop the capacity of CBOs, NGOs and government in Colombia to design and implement innovative approaches that meet the longer-term psycho-social health, educational and employment needs of internally displaced former child soldiers

3. To form networks between local CBOs and NGOs to increase the effectiveness and scale of lobbying and fundraising

4. To help CBOs, NGOs and government in Colombia develop strategies to overcome the extreme and violent stigmatisation of former child soldiers

5. To develop YCI’s capacity to raise awareness of the specific situation and needs of the target group at an international level and to promote appropriate models of rehabilitation of this vulnerable group.