Development of entrepreneurial skills boost youth entrepreneurship in Latin America

Aflatoun – Gloria Kriete

Think Human Foundation

Mission & History

Aflatoun started in Mumbai, India, in 1991 as an action research project by Jeroo Billimoria who at that time was working at the Tata School of Social Studies. She began a project with schools to bring rich and poor children together to learn about each other’s lives.

In 1993, inter-ethnic riots in Mumbai prompted the programme to combat prejudice and discrimination through rights education. Expansion into rural areas was driven by the migration of entrepreneurial children to cities, leading to the incorporation of savings groups in 2001. The global era began in 2005 with Aflatoun’s incorporation in Amsterdam by Jeroo Billimoria. A campaign for Social and Financial Education, launched in 2008 by Princess Maxima of the Netherlands, exceeded its ambitious targets.

In 2011, Aflateen for young people and Aflatot for toddlers were introduced, broadening the curriculum. By 2016, Aflatoun International aimed to reach 20 million children and young people by 2020, promoting citizenship and empowerment worldwide.

Country Information

In today’s dynamic world, children encounter both challenges and opportunities, from economic instability to technological advancements. Aflatoun recognizes the importance of equipping children, especially girls and vulnerable groups, with social and financial skills to thrive in this environment.

Our tailored programs have reached over 3.8 million children and youth in 102 countries through our partners network, and 29.5 million children and youth through national integration.

The Need

The project aims to enhance employability for youth in Colombia through entrepreneurship programs. It connects youth with resources for a better future and bridges the private sector with civil organizations. The initiative focuses on delivering entrepreneurship education to adolescents, enabling them to develop business ideas and reduce poverty through practical skills and methodologies.

The Project We Fund

The project focuses on developing entrepreneurship skills and financial literacy among youth in selected Latin American countries, empowering them to engage in entrepreneurial activities. The initiative aims to deliver tailored educational materials and workshops to foster entrepreneurial spirit among adolescents.

Contextualization involves adapting content and educational materials on entrepreneurship for adolescents, with feedback from stakeholders to ensure relevance and engagement. Workshops provide thematic instruction to over 80 youths aged 12-15 annually in three countries, fostering creativity, introducing basic entrepreneurial concepts, and guiding business plan development. Additionally, an Entrepreneurship Fair is hosted for youths to practice acquired skills and showcase entrepreneurial projects, conducted three times across the countries to empower participants through experiential learning.

The Result

Glasswing’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Adaptation, and Learning (MEAL) Department meticulously tracks program activities, processes, and indicators to facilitate real-time adjustments and ensure high-quality program delivery. Through robust efforts, Glasswing’s M&E team monitors implementation outputs and evaluates outcomes critical for measuring the program’s impact. Utilizing an in-house computer system called Glasswing Data, the organization efficiently manages participant registration, analyzes participant and volunteer information, tracks hours of service, and monitors ongoing participation across various services. This data analysis is further strengthened by random site visits conducted by supervision staff to verify data accuracy and reliability.

2025 Midterm Report

Glasswing El Salvador reached 583 beneficiaries directly and indirectly, fostering a profound community impact. The direct beneficiaries included 110 students engaged in extra-curricular clubs and 123 parents and caregivers active in Community Cafes. The indirect beneficiaries were 350 students and teachers further enriched by these programs.

They collaborated closely with local educators, parents, and community volunteers, providing a robust platform for learning and growth. Their impactful strategy entailed establishing extra-curricular clubs and Community Cafes that fostered a holistic environment for participants. The organization’s partnership with Ministry of Education and other NGOs ensured alignment with national educational priorities, enhancing long-term impact and program sustainability.

Testimonies

“My experience with the Aflatoun Entrepreneurship Project was extremely rewarding. Seeing how the young people managed to develop and present their projects successfully was not only a source of pride, but also a great lesson in personal and professional growth for me. Seeing some of the young people leave the project motivated to further develop their ventures was undoubtedly one of the greatest parts of this experience. This project not only transforms ideas into actions, but also inspires students to believe in their abilities and to visualize a promising future.” -Jhara Carolina Ayala de Cerón, Teacher and facilitator of the Oportunidades programme of Fundacion Gloria Kriete, El Salvador-

“Since I was a little girl, I was passionate about mathematics and art, and it was thanks to my older brother that I was introduced to the Glasswing clubs. For five years I was part of the Art Club, where I not only learned new techniques, but also found a support network with the school coordinator. Today I continue to explore new opportunities at the English Club, and I’m excited to think about what’s to come: maybe the Robotics Club, or even volunteering. The clubs have helped me grow, to believe in myself and to enjoy learning every day.” -Ashley, 13-

“Since I was a child, I knew that I wanted to be a teacher, following in the footsteps of many women in my family. After 17 years of experience, today I accompany other teachers from the management of the school where I began my career. One of the biggest challenges has been finding resources that fit each student, but I found Glasswing clubs a unique opportunity to connect with them in a more human and meaningful way. Being part of this initiative, seeing its impact, and sharing accomplishments like those made at Debate and Spelling Bee, has reaffirmed my commitment to a comprehensive and transformative education.” -Monica, Director-