Children Change Colombia

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £421,414+ (2024)
• Total Grants to Date: £13 million across 86 projects
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: Colombia only
• Partner Organizations: Works with approximately 50 grassroots Colombian organizations
• Application Method: No public application process - invitation/research-based partnerships

Contact Details

UK Office:

• Address: Richbell House, 5 Richbell Place, London, WC1N 3LA
• Phone: (+44) 208 050 4992
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://childrenchangecolombia.org

Colombia Office:

• Address: Cra 13 # 98 - 21, Of. 202 - Bogotá D.C. Colombia

Overview

Children Change Colombia was established in 1991 (formerly Children of the Andes) and is the largest UK charity working exclusively in Colombia. With total income of £750,309 in 2024, the organization has distributed £13 million in grants across 86 projects since inception, supporting over 82,000 children and their families. The charity operates through a partnership model, providing grants to approximately 50 local grassroots organizations in Colombia rather than implementing programs directly. Their mission focuses on protecting children exposed to abuse, violence, and exploitation by strengthening local Colombian civil society organizations. The organization maintains a highly efficient operation, with 93p of every £1 donated going directly to projects. In 2024, over £421,414 was transferred directly to partner organizations working with local communities, families, and children.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Children Change Colombia does not operate open grant programs. Instead, they provide funding to selected partner organizations in Colombia through research-based partnerships. In 2021, they collaborated on 6 different projects with local partners.

Priority Areas

Core Focus Areas:

• Armed Conflict Impact: Supporting children affected by recruitment into armed groups and their reintegration into society
• Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: Programs combating sexual exploitation and abuse of children
• Educational Exclusion: Improving access to education, particularly in rural areas
• Forced Displacement: Emergency support for displaced families and communities
• Human Rights: Defending children's rights in conflict-affected regions

Geographic Priorities:

• Focus exclusively on Colombia
• Work in both urban and rural areas
• Special attention to conflict-affected regions including Catatumbo

Beneficiary Groups:

• Children and young people in Colombia exposed to violence, abuse, and exploitation
• Families affected by armed conflict and displacement
• Afro-Colombian and ethnic communities
• Rural communities lacking educational access

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations outside Colombia
• Individual applications (only fund established organizations)
• Programs unrelated to child protection and rights
• Direct service provision (they fund partner organizations, not individuals)

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Carolina Giraldo - Chair of the Board of Trustees

Independent consultant in sustainable development projects with background in social development

Richard - Treasurer

Appointed trustee in April 2016, became Treasurer later that year. Qualified Chartered Accountant with Price Waterhouse, spent career at Lloyds Bank including as Finance Director of International Division with experience in Colombia.

All trustees serve without remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The Board consists of 10 trustees supported by 18 volunteers and 6 staff members.

Staff Structure

The organization operates with a lean structure of 6 employees split between UK and Colombia offices, ensuring overhead remains low and maximum resources reach beneficiaries.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

Children Change Colombia selects partner organizations through their own continuous research and due diligence process. According to their materials, “we continuously carry out research to guide the direction of our work – the issues we work on, the regions we work in, and the partner organisations we work with.”

Grants are awarded based on:

• The organization's research identifying priority issues and regions
• Trustee discretion in selecting partners
• Pre-existing knowledge of organizations working in priority areas
• Alignment with their strategic focus on child protection in Colombia

Organizations cannot submit unsolicited applications for funding.

Getting on Their Radar

While there is no formal application process, Colombian grassroots organizations working in Children Change Colombia's priority areas might increase visibility through:

Demonstrating Impact in Priority Areas:

• Strong track record in child protection, education access, or supporting conflict-affected communities
• Work specifically with vulnerable children in Colombia
• Focus on issues related to armed conflict, sexual violence, or educational exclusion

Geographic and Thematic Alignment:

• Operating in regions where Children Change Colombia is actively researching (particularly conflict-affected areas)
• Working with Afro-Colombian or ethnic communities
• Addressing educational exclusion in rural areas

Professional Relationships:

• Connections with their current partner organizations
• Participation in Colombian civil society networks focused on child rights
• Engagement with UK-Colombia development sector connections

Direct Outreach:

Organizations with strong alignment to their mission may consider sending introductory information to [email protected], though this does not guarantee consideration for funding.

Application Success Factors

Since Children Change Colombia uses a research-based partnership selection model rather than competitive applications, “success” depends on:

Organizational Characteristics They Value:

• Local Grassroots Status: All funding partners are Colombian grassroots organizations embedded in their communities
• Child-Centered Approach: Direct focus on improving outcomes for children and young people
• Community Embeddedness: Organizations with deep roots in the communities they serve
• Rights-Based Approach: Civil society organizations focused on defending children's rights
• Capacity for Partnership: Ability to collaborate effectively with UK-based charity

Thematic Alignment:

Their research focuses on "neglected issues facing children and young people in Colombia that pose a serious threat to children's rights and wellbeing," particularly issues receiving less attention from other funders.

Geographic Focus:

They target regions and issues identified through their continuous research process, with particular attention to conflict-affected areas and underserved populations.

Innovative Approaches:

Partnership with Action for Child Trauma International demonstrates openness to being first-movers in bringing new methodologies to Colombia.

Efficiency and Impact:

With 93p of every £1 going to projects, they prioritize partners who can demonstrate effective use of resources and measurable impact on children's lives.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This is not a funder that accepts applications - they identify and select partners through their own research
• Colombia Exclusive: Only organizations operating in Colombia are considered
• Grassroots Focus: All partners are local Colombian grassroots organizations, not international NGOs
• Long-Term Partnerships: With only 50 partners over their history and 6-8 active at any time, they build sustained relationships rather than one-off grants
• Child Protection Priority: Singular focus on children affected by violence, conflict, abuse, and educational exclusion
• Research-Driven: Partner selection driven by their ongoing research into neglected issues in Colombia
• Relationship-Based: Without a public process, any potential partnership would require relationship building and demonstrated alignment with their strategic priorities
• Efficient Operations: 93% of income goes to projects, indicating they value partners who maximize impact per pound

References

1. Charity Commission Register - Children Change Colombia (Charity No. 1075037): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1075037&subid=0

1. Children Change Colombia official website - Our Current Partners: https://childrenchangecolombia.org/our-current-partners/

1. Children Change Colombia official website - Our Finances: https://childrenchangecolombia.org/our-finances/

1. Children Change Colombia official website - Contact Us: https://childrenchangecolombia.org/contact-us/

1. Children Change Colombia official website - Board of Trustees: https://childrenchangecolombia.org/board-of-trustees/

1. Children Change Colombia 2021 Impact Report: https://childrenchangecolombia.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Impact-Report-2021.pdf

1. Children Change Colombia 2022 Annual Report and General Funds Proposal: https://childrenchangecolombia.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2022-Annual-Report.pdf