A Ganar: Beyond Sport’s 2015 Barclays Sport for Employability Award
It is estimated that one in every two youth ages 13–23 in Latin America and the Caribbean is not in school. Nearly one in every five youth ages 15–24 is unemployed. Without the structure and stability of school, a job, strong social networks or a safe community, these youth are vulnerable to gang violence and lack the opportunities and support needed to break the cycle of poverty. A Ganar and Vencedoras, an adapted version targeting adolescent girls and young women, use the power of sport to offer youth a brighter path.
With an innovated series of field and classroom sport-based activities, we help youth transfer lessons from sport, including teamwork, communication, and leadership, into market-driven skills and attitudes. We connect our youth with mentors and provide market-driven vocational training, internships, and opportunities for community service. Over just seven to nine months, youth emerge with the practical skills necessary to return to the classroom or launch a career.
Since 2005, Partners has implemented A Ganar with funding from major donors including the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Inter-American Development Bank.