Goles por la Paz

Support and facilitate at-risk youth and children to initiate change towards a culture of peace in their communities, using the power and appeal of sport as well as activities such as music, arts, enterprise, language and nutrition. Promote children’s rights and improve educational achievement and access to employment.

The neighbourhoods in which we work suffer from some of the highest levels of unemployment, poor nutrition, school dropout, and a large number of ‘pandillas’ or gangs. Despite this we are constantly inspired by the positive attitude and progress made by the participants. We have a team of full time professionals including social workers, psychologists and physical trainers.

Goals for Peace also has formal agreements with various local universities, including the Pontificia and the Santo Tomas, who send us psychology and physical training students. We also work with local and international volunteers. This mixed team delivers a full time programme to 200 at-risk youth. We are based in the neighbourhood Olas 2 in Bucaramanga, Colombia.

Through an agreement with the local community leaders we have access to two football pitches, two communal halls and a community kitchen. We also have a permanent office space and a video and internet room. We have received funding from organisations such as The Charitable Fund (Australia), Peace and Sport (Monaco) and also from the Mayor's Office of Bucaramanga. We have an agreement with to expand the programme to reach 300 participants in 2026.

Embracing the value of intercultural exchange, Goals For Peace (G4P) has worked with hundreds of International Volunteers from different countries and backgrounds over the years. They contribute to the education, development, and empowerment of at-risk children, youth and their families within the communities where G4P operates.

International Volunteers are university students, recent graduates, and young professionals with a desire to develop their professional, personal and intercultural skills by gaining hands-on experience in a non-profit humanitarian organization in South America. They establish connections with beneficiaries, local staff and volunteers, and many members of the community, helping advance a holistic and person-centered approach to make a difference in the lives of youth in Colombia, and create a more sustainable and peaceful community.