Education and Human Development
Fundación Red Sonrisas
A non-profit social organization working to democratize education as a cornerstone of social transformation, the strengthening of community leadership, and peacebuilding in urban and rural territories across Colombia. Its mission is to create educational, cultural, and sports opportunities that enable communities to develop their capabilities, exercise their leadership, and become agents of change in their own contexts.
The foundation runs initiatives such as Una Jugada Diferente (A Different Play), LĆderes del Balón (Leaders of the Ball), Donando y Ayudando (Giving and Helping), and Construcción desde la Reconstrucción (Building through Rebuilding), through which it integrates training processes, community workshops, solidarity actions, and artistic, cultural, and sporting experiencesāworking in coordination with educational institutions, social organizations, partner companies, and local stakeholders. These processes involve work with NGOs, teachers, volunteers, and community-based social activities.
Fundación Red Sonrisasās differential approach is territorial, participatory, and intergenerational, recognizing the social, cultural, and gender-specific characteristics of each community. The organization promotes the active participation of youth, women, local leaders, and older adults, valuing their knowledge, memories, and identities. From this perspective, education is not only access to knowledge but also a tool to strengthen the social fabric, equity, inclusion, and the collective building of the future.
When education reaches the territory, leaders emerge and the community is transformed.