New Grants Approved at US Committee Meeting

EMpower commits $271,000 to youth focused programs in emerging market countries at the Grants Committee Meeting on March 3rd. Many thanks to Diego Gradowczyk and Barclays Capital for hosting the event and to all those who participated.

Of the 8 grants approved, 5 are new and 3 are renewals to current grantee partners. Located in Argentina, Brazil, South Africa and Turkey, most of these partnerships are the product of staff visits to these countries.

Here is a look at two of our new grantee partners:

Fight For Peace (Brazil)

68% of 15-24 year olds in Complexo de Mare, one of Rio’s most violent and drug-ridden favela complexes, have not graduated from elementary school and children in this area are often employed in illicit drug trade. Luta Pela Paz (Fight for Peace) offers young people an alternative to the violence and poverty surrounding them with highly successful sports and educational programming. Young people are attracted to the boxing lessons and gain life skills as well as tutoring in school subjects and computers. In addition, Luta Pela Paz makes home visits to encourage continued education and to assist with family issues. This holistic approach gives young people constructive alternatives to choosing a life path towards drugs and violence and begins to change the culture of violence.

Youth Studies Unit (Turkey)

Turkey has a large, growing population of disadvantaged urban youth due to migration and demographic trends. This results in few opportunities for them to develop their potential or engage constructively in their communities. Genclik Calismalari (Youth Studies Unit) works to empower and provide skills and knowledge to young people, particularly young women, on health, democracy, citizenship, fundraising, project management, team work and community engagement. With young staff and a cadre of youth volunteers, the organization is truly youth-centered, enabling them to reach their out of school peers and create more cohesion, understanding and engagement of youth in Istanbul’s diverse communities.

Donate Now! to support these exciting new partnerships and the rest of our innovative grantee partners working to bolster the potential of young people around the world!