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Ayo Alaba https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayo-alaba-b901a9198/

Chandra Mouli https://www.linkedin.com/in/chandra-mouli-vatadi/

Tudor-Florin Drujescu https://www.linkedin.com/in/tudor-florin-drujescu/

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Summary Section

Problem Summary ←

Informal settlements in Bello, Colombia face a reinforcing cycle of insecurity, exclusion, and limited opportunity. Weak and often corrupt state presence has enabled gangs to assume control over security, leading residents to rely on them for protection. This has normalized gang influence and incentivized youth (12–18) to join, as gangs offer income in contexts of financial hardship. As a result, school attendance declines, while risks such as prostitution increase due to lack of alternatives. Movement restrictions, intimidation, and unsafe routes further limit access to education. Key stakeholders include young residents at risk of recruitment, parents and caregivers who value education but face barriers like low literacy and limited system access, and the wider community seeking safety and sustainable futures. Success would mean safer access to education, reduced gang reliance, and increased school retention through community-led, realistic interventions that align with local needs and constraints.

Solution Summary - Bello Art After School

Our solution, a community-led, culturally grounded after-school program for youth (12–18), was chosen because it directly tackles low trust in state institutions by shifting ownership to the community itself. Creative arts and local identity are already strong, socially accepted anchors in Medellín, making the program both relevant and immediately engaging for young people. It is technically feasible because it uses existing community venues, local mentors, and low-cost communication methods (e.g., WhatsApp, voice notes). This activity will leverage the cultural pride and identity of the local community in order to use this as one of the main drivers for involvement from members of the community of all ages. Financial viability comes from connecting youth-made textiles and performances to Medellín’s established creative and fashion sectors, creating income streams that reduce reliance on gangs. Social sustainability is ensured through inter generational leadership and parent-friendly engagement that strengthens cohesion. Environmentally, the program promotes low-waste textile practices and community-run events with minimal footprint. Ultimately, it meets stakeholder needs by providing safe spaces, educational support, and credible economic alternatives while building a trusted, locally owned system that can scale across similar neighborhoods. Rather than directly confronting gangs, the program replaces the functions they provide—income, identity, and belonging—with safer, community-led alternatives.

Practical Humility Clause

Our solution is based on several key assumptions and uncertainties. First, the level of influence and response of local gangs to such initiatives remains unclear; while cultural alignment may reduce resistance, this requires validation through local engagement. Second, the willingness of schools and institutions to collaborate with community-led programs is uncertain. Third, sustained participation from youth and community members depends on consistent incentives, trust-building, and perceived value. We also lack precise data on operational risks such as safety of participants, funding continuity, and availability of qualified local facilitators. To address these uncertainties, the initial phase will focus on small-scale pilots, stakeholder interviews, and co-design with community leaders. This iterative approach allows us to test feasibility, adapt to local dynamics, and build trust before scaling the program.

Further Explanation Section

Our proposed solution directly interrupts the reinforcing cycle of insecurity, exclusion, and limited opportunity in Bello by strengthening community-led systems where state-led systems are weak or mistrusted. The core issue driving gang recruitment is not simply violence; it is the lack of credible alternatives. Young people face financial pressure, unsafe routes to school, and a deep normalization of gang presence as a source of income and protection. Our program tackles these drivers simultaneously through identity, economic opportunity, safety, and social cohesion.

1. Addressing Economic Pressures and Recruitment Incentives

In the long term, connecting creative outputs, such as textiles, music, and dance, to Medellín’s existing cultural and fashion industries creates sustainable income pathways. This reduces the financial appeal of gangs, giving youth a community-owned alternative that is both culturally valued and economically viable. In the short term, if the program generates visible talent and community festivals, gangs may have an incentive to tolerate, if not tacitly support, the initiative. Festivals bring foot traffic and small local businesses, from which gangs currently collect “protection taxes.” This means the program does not immediately threaten their revenue model, buying crucial space for the initiative to take root safely.

2. Leveraging Cultural Identity as a Protective Factor

Bello’s communities, including gang members, often share pride in Indigenous and Afro-Colombian cultural heritage. By grounding the program in these cultural practices, we reduce the perceived conflict between “youth identity” and “community identity.” This makes the program socially acceptable, lowers resistance from local power structures, and increases its emotional resonance with youth. A culturally centered approach also strengthens belonging—a key psychological driver pulling youth into gangs. Belonging is not removed but rather it is redirected.

3. Rebuilding Trust and Safety Through Community Ownership

Because state institutions are seen as corrupt or unreliable, any intervention perceived as “external” or “government-driven” risks rejection. Our program is intentionally designed to be community-led, using trusted community venues, older local mentors, and parent-friendly communication like WhatsApp voice notes for low-literacy households. This approach rebuilds trust horizontally, within the community, rather than vertically with the state. Peer mentors and community-monitored safe routes address immediate safety concerns without requiring police intervention, making education and participation more accessible

4. Inter generational Strengthening and Social Cohesion