Special Jury Prize
rewards a significant peace through sport initiative.
Cop Colombia International
Cop Colombia International
Peace animators of Cop Colombia International
Soccer
Colombia
In Usme, in the south of Bogota, the situation of vulnerability and the lack of opportunities for the youth has led to an increased risk of recruitment into armed groups and to the formation of youth gangs. Presently, young people are highly exposed to the risks of school dropout, drug addiction, early pregnancy and prostitution.
Cop Colombia International was created in 1996 by Gerson Florez, a young peace activist, in response to this situation. COP Colombia’s mission is to improve the quality of life of the most vulnerable Colombian children using soccer as a unifying tool for prevention, coexistence and peace between young people. The projects of the NGO aim at fostering positive attitudes and behaviors among the youth, and to change their view of the world.
In May 2021, Cop Colombia joined the Peacemakers Project, an international program led by Peace and Sport in partnership with 10 field organizations. Since the beginning of the program, 15 peace animators have been trained to the Peace and Sport Methodology, and 200 children attend the peace-through-sport weekly activities.
Cop Colombia International
Peace animators of Cop Colombia International
Soccer
Colombia
In Usme, in the south of Bogota, the situation of vulnerability and the lack of opportunities for the youth has led to an increased risk of recruitment into armed groups and to the formation of youth gangs. Presently, young people are highly exposed to the risks of school dropout, drug addiction, early pregnancy and prostitution.
Cop Colombia International was created in 1996 by Gerson Florez, a young peace activist, in response to this situation. COP Colombia’s mission is to improve the quality of life of the most vulnerable Colombian children using soccer as a unifying tool for prevention, coexistence and peace between young people. The projects of the NGO aim at fostering positive attitudes and behaviors among the youth, and to change their view of the world.
In May 2021, Cop Colombia joined the Peacemakers Project, an international program led by Peace and Sport in partnership with 10 field organizations. Since the beginning of the program, 15 peace animators have been trained to the Peace and Sport Methodology, and 200 children attend the peace-through-sport weekly activities.
