The children and youth of the Americas are a force for transformation, full of powerful ideas to promote collective wellbeing. And yet, structural poverty and racism, violence, and inequality seriously limit their opportunities for development and civic participation. Together with our partners, we work to reverse this dynamic, accompanying children and young people as they work together with their communities to create social transformation, and enjoy full and happy lives.
The Americas is a diverse and complex region, connected by shared stories of courage, resilience, and hope. Children and youth are a powerful engine of social change in the region, taking leadership roles in movements that demand justice, peace, and equality despite facing multiple challenges that impact their wellbeing. Harmful gender norms; forced migration and displacement; obstacles to health and education; adult-centric mechanisms of public participation; criminalization of youth activism and discrimination are just some of the issues that affect children and youth, preventing them from exercising their right to live a life free from violence.
Despite all adversities, our local partners work with children and youth every day to address these challenges. Whether they are defending the rights of migrant girls; promoting healthy masculinities for gender justice; supporting holistic learning and early childhood development; strengthening youth leadership and girls’ empowerment; or building collaborative networks, our partners demonstrate every day that the world can be changed.
GFC offers flexible and trust-based funding, technical support for organizational capacity development, safe spaces for collective reflection and care, and connection spaces to its partner organizations so that they can maximize the impact of their programs and interventions. We foster human and caring relationships and horizontal bonds of co-responsibility, commitment and shared goals for social change.
Your contribution to these efforts will enable thousands of children and youth to reach their full potential, strengthen their leadership skills, and enjoy opportunities for holistic development.
Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Nepal, Uganda, Zambia
The Americas in numbers
8
countries including Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Peru, and the United States
67
local partners that are combating gender-based violence; promoting healthy masculinities; strengthening the education, leadership, and creativity of children and adolescents; advancing the rights of LGBTQ+, Indigenous and Afro-descendant children and youth; fostering community wellbeing and accompanying children and youth affected by migration and in other conditions of vulnerability.
The RECARGA initiative makes us feel that we’re not alone. Sometimes as a small project, we feel like we’re swimming upstream and that we’re trying to make changes that maybe no one else will see. So, seeing other people working like us is really inspiring. Sharing our ideas, methodologies, and educational proposals is really interesting and beautiful.
Hilda Vazquez, Director, Comunidad La Esperanza, Guatemala
Es posible ser un hombre no violento… yo la practico en la cocina que es mi gran pasión y me ha permitido desafiar estereotipos de género/ It is possible to be a non violent man… I practice it (a healthy masculinity) in the kitchen that is my great passion and has allowed me to challenge gender stereotypes
Ángel, Organization for Youth Empowerment (OYE), Honduras
GFC is always seeking to do things differently. In everything we do – in the relationships we build and in our internal spaces – we try to challenge the narratives that see philanthropy as a charitable and vertical act.
Rodrigo Barraza, Regional Co-Director for the Americas, Global Fund for Children
Girls and migrant youth have played a vital part in organizing events. They coordinate weekly circles where they can discuss amongst each other what activities interest them and why they play an important part in our communities and how it will impact them. This prepares our girls and migrant youth to become leaders of tomorrow where they know their voice matters.
xxx, Homies Unidos, United States
Your support drives real change
Innovative community-based organizations turn small amounts of money into, lasting impact. Your donation will support our partners working at the hearts of local communities to create a safer, more just future for children and young people.
