Colombia: People + Partners + Programs = Sustainable Impact Your Program Impact Report—Spring 2024 2023–2025 OPPORTUNITY COLOMBIA STRATEGIC GOALS With support from generous donors, impact the lives of an additional 170,454 people, providing 3 programs in collaboration with 9 partners, and releasing $26.1M in capital
THE NEED In 1971, Opportunity International launched our work in Colombia. Today it remains a very special place for our team. The people of Colombia—our loyal and hard-working local team of experts, the passionate and driven people who participate in our programs, the millions of displaced people from bordering, war-torn countries—it’s the people who inspire us to forge ahead with new and innovative approaches to fighting poverty and helping our brothers and sisters create sustainable livelihoods for their families and communities.
THE SOLUTIONS Due to Colombia’s complex challenges, level of poverty, and need for economic development, we launched an Opportunity Zone in the Atlántico-Bolivar region of Colombia, intentionally bringing together our flagship programs—starting with education and microbanking, with plans to add agriculture down the road—into an area with a large population of people living in extreme poverty. Our proven three-pronged interventions of tailored training, financial resources, and support increase incomes, create and sustain jobs, and provide affordable quality education for children and youth. Opportunity’s programs start and end with the client in mind, with interventions tailored to the specific needs of the local demographic and geography. Opportunity’s hardworking team in Colombia partners with clients to increase access to quality education, provide financial literacy and access to financial resources, and offer training and support to people participating in the ultra-poverty Graduation program.
PROGRESS ON OUR WORK EDUCATION Our EduFinance consultant and EduQuality specialist are focused on developing partnerships with financial institutions and facilitating learning activities with the schools that are part of the EduQuality program. To date, we have: • Four financial partners signed, and technical assistance completed: Crezcamos, Finanfuturo, Actuar Famiempresas, and El Alcaravan. They will soon begin offering tailored loans to improve low-cost non-government schools and increase the number of children in a quality school. • 29 schools in the EduQuality program • 5,800 children impacted Two schools in Colombia received 2023 EduQuality awards for excellence. Chosen from almost two thousand participating EduQuality schools around the world, first place award winner Colegio Centro Educativo Santa Maria, Colombia embedded social responsibility in their strategic plan, including interventions such as supporting families in need, sharing groceries, and offering emotional support. Honorable mention recipient Colegio Centro De Capaticatión Integral Superar, Colombia, established an inclusive parent group, conducting targeted teacher training, and implementing individualized education plans. 101 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60606 T 800.793.9455 W opportunity.org
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