Exito Verde

The culture of Colombia in one neighborhood

Basic information

Experience

Eat

Impact

Start collaboration:

2010

Directly impacted families:

Project description

Exito Verde is a foundation that works with children, adolescents, and older adults in Ciudad Bolivar, a Colombian city south of Bogotá that has faced social challenges. It gives young people of the area a safe place to learn, as well as an economic alternative to delinquency. Exito Verde is also attentive to including girls and young women in their activities. What’s unique about this project is its focus on the environment, with emphasis on recycling and promoting a circular economy at the same time as respecting the rights of the community. With the help of the foundation, the people of Ciudad Bolivar learn how to care for and protect the environment they live in.

Our main involvement with this project is connecting travelers with the foundation. Visitors benefit by getting a look at an area of Colombia not seen by most tourists (that also happens to have one of the best views of the city!). They get to learn about the history of the neighborhood, interact with the resilient people who live there, and eat an authentic meal.

Involvement of V Social

Along with donations of more than €20,000, VSocial has helped pay for teachers, structural improvements, and workshops for Exito Verde. Assistance in construction projects such as the foundation headquarters and an equipped kitchen have given the project a strong basis in which to achieve its goals. We have encouraged growth in tourism and business efforts by providing training and connections with support organizations. We also bring travelers from Viventura trips to the neighborhood.

Start collaboration:

2010

Directly impacted families:

Support for Exito Verde Foundation

Nov 2023

EUR 1,673 - Participation in first V Social Encounter

Patricia y Rosalva for Exito Verde at V Conecta

Nov 2023

Patricia, member of Exito Verde, participated in the inaugural annual gathering of projects funded by V Social in Colombia in November. During this event, 16 projects hailing from various corners of Latin America convened in person to engage in discussions about lessons learned and to strategize for the upcoming year, 2024.

Our primary goal was to empower the beneficiaries with a more influential role in decision-making within V Social, allowing them to shape the organization's priorities and focus areas. This approach placed a greater emphasis on the voices of those we serve. Notably, for many participants, this event marks their first opportunity to travel outside their home country, adding an extra layer of significance to this transformative gathering.

The allocated amount for this support is an estimate derived from the total costs incurred in organizing the gathering.

The allocated amount for this support is an estimate derived from the total costs incurred in organizing the gathering. Our primary goal is to empower the beneficiaries with a more influential role in decision-making within V Social, allowing them to shape the organization's priorities and focus areas. This approach places a greater emphasis on the voices of those we serve. Notably, for many participants, this event marks their first opportunity to travel outside their home country, adding an extra layer of significance to this transformative gathering.

Oct 2023

EUR 2,000 - Design of tourist products + Foundation land adaptations + Recycling actions

Oct 2023

For this grant, priority was given to the design of activities that could be attractive to international visitors.

In addition to this, resources were allocated to improve the security of the foundation's infrastructure, taking into account that part of it is at risk due to the conditions of the terrain.

Finally, we continue to support the recycling school to foster the circular economy in the neighborhood.

May 2020

EUR 400 - Financial support for the implementation of hygiene measures during the pandemic

May 2020

After an initial state of shock during the pandemic, we, together with our cooperation partner Travolution, developed COVID-19 behavioral guidelines for our projects as early as March. We also provided financial support to implement these guidelines in practice.

Your impact

Ciudad Bolivar

Country: Colombia

VSocial Foundation has been supporting the Exito Verde Foundation since 2010. We helped create the environmental school, a used clothing store, and paid teachers, impacting more than 300 people, including at least 40 families. The clothing store employs five adults and also provides a meeting place for community members to donate old clothes and gain extra income. Our goal has been to empower the people of Ciudad Bolivar, which was demonstrated when a group of local women took over the foundation to run themselves. This is an inspiration that has affected the mentality of the young people in the community and their sense of belonging and opportunity.

Their story

Diana is a young woman from the neighborhood Manitas, south of Bogota. For many years, it was a neighborhood taken over by people who had been displaced by the violence and overpopulation in Bogota. They faced stigmatization and neglect from the rest of the country. Yet a spirit of resistance has grown through collective, community work, and people like Diana, who characterizes the strength that can come from adversity. Diana’s family arrived to the neighborhood in 2005. At that time, they had two rooms for nine people: her parents, Diana, and her six siblings. When it would rain, the water would get in and flood the house. Through involvement with Exito Verde, as well as a positive attitude and perseverance, Diana was able to help improve her family’s situation. She helped in the foundation as well as the recycling school, at the same time as taking care of her siblings while her parents were working. The family found support through tourists who visited with Viventura and VSocial, and a direct donation allowed them to finish their house so they had a decent place to live. A couple of years ago, Diana enrolled in a bakery academy, graduating first as a bakery technician and later as a food processing technologist. She now works as a production manager in a small food company. Diana continues to support Exito Verde, believing it allows other young people like her to fulfill their dreams. She considers herself a "warrior woman" who does not let negativity hold her back, and believes that if she sets goals and is diligent, they will be realized. She still has many dreams to make come true! The Manitas neighborhood has continued to change, and Diana feels that it has been in a positive way. Many young people who were part of gangs have approached the foundation, looking for a safe and peaceful place to take refuge. It is a place where youths can feel listened to and a little less lonely. And, like Diana, discover that nothing is impossible with hard work and community.