The actual strategy of War Child in Colombia encompasses 3 main areas of intervention and one cross-cutting issue.

1. Prevention
War Child is supporting projects which contribute to preventing forced or voluntary recruitment of children and youths by illegal armed groups, in conflict-affected areas. In 2008, War Child supports the following projects: 

• Strategies for self-protection and training for school communities affected by human rights violations; a Psychosocial and Rights perspective (Choco and Arauca). 
• Accompanying the psychosocial development of children and youth living in the midst of the armed conflict, through the strengthening of their artistic, cultural, environmental and community skills (Norte de Santander and Putumayo). 
• Project “Corazón de Cebolla”: Prevention of recruitment of children and youths by irregular armed groups (Cundinamarca and Risaralda). 
• Research: Diagnostic into the vulnerability of children and youth in Engativa, Suba y Bosa. (Cundinamarca). 
• Project “La vida con valor y con valores III” (North of Cauca).

2. Reintegration
War Child supports projects that contribute to the sustainable social re-integration of children and youth associated with illegal armed groups. In 2008, War Child supports the following projects: 

• Project “Bambu”: Strengthening the process of social re-integration of demobilised children and youths (Cundinamarca). 
• Project “Sociedad de la Amistad II” (Valle del Cauca).

3. Advocacy
War Child supports advocacy projects promoting the protection of children and youths in the midst of the conflict. In 2008, WCH support the following projects are: 

• “Teatro Efimero”: Youths building memories, peace and reconciliation. 
• Project “Promoting actions to protect child victims of the armed conflict” (Cundinamarca).

4. Capacity-building
In order to ensure the capacity of Colombian partner organisations to take appropriate measures to prevent the recruitment of children and youth by armed groups, provide appropriate assistance to demobilised youth and advocate for the rights of war-affected children, War Child in Colombia is committed to continue improving the competences of its partners and to promote the exchange of professional experiences and practices among them.
In 2008, War Child launched a call for proposals specifically and only for Youth groups and organisations, in order to support “small projects contributing to peace in Colombia” and strengthen those organisations.

Back