2022 Annual Report | Full Edition

ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

COLOMBIA report card

A Leading for Peace participant in Colombia

ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

how we made it happen

Impact Spotlight T his year brought a close to our Leading for Peace project in Colombia. Global Affairs Canada provided $18.5 million and Plan International Canada supporters contributed $1.8 million in matched funding for this five-year peace-building initiative. The project reached more than 155,000 people in Chocó, Valle del Cauca and Nariño, three conflict-affected departments in Colombia’s Pacific Region. The goal was to ensure that young victims of conflict, especially girls, could exercise their rights to protection, reconciliation and reparation. Developing economic independence and challenging gender stereotypes were two central aims of the project.

BEFORE

AFTER

In 2017, 376 youths were randomly selected to take part in a survey that assessed such things as life skills, gender equality, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment. Four years later, 424 youths did the same survey. What changed? 76,134 youths received training to be Citizens for Peace 8,713 youths and adults participated in economic- empowerment activities 3,685 teachers and public servants were trained to strengthen institutional processes

Youth who knew how to develop a business plan

We established 404 savings groups in three municipalities (Buenaventura, Quibdó and Tumaco); these groups educated more than 6,350 people on money-saving practices and women’s financial empowerment. 3,955 youths completed training on entrepreneurship and gender-transformative life skills; they also developed business plans, which included detailed costing, budget and marketing designs. This year, we adapted our entrepreneurship training to be available remotely; in groups of 10 to 15, participants received key content via WhatsApp and had access to advice from their group facilitator.

47%

85%

Youth who’d completed a business plan

45% (MALE)

80% (MALE)

33% (FEMALE)

75% (FEMALE)

Youth who owned a business

14% (MALE)

23% (MALE)

WATCH THE VIDEO

This video highlights some of the gains that have been made in helping youth achieve a better understanding of finances, from making a business plan to getting a loan to setting prices for their products.