"Paza la Paz"

"Paz total", absolute peace - this goal of the Colombian government is to be achieved in the near future. However, the reality is very different: Armed groups are on the lookout for new members, especially in rural areas, and young people in particular are often forcibly recruited or join voluntarily due to a lack of prospects. The bloodshed between rival gangs has increased and with it the mistrust in the government's plans.

"Paza la Paz", a step towards peace, on the other hand, sounds more realistic. The Horyzon project has been running for 20 years and has become an important part of many young people's lives. 14 to 28-year-olds can take part in the one-year program and choose between three different modules, which they attend in addition to school: "Civil Society Participation", "Professional Independence" and "Peaceful Coexistence & Conflict Resolution". Depending on their interests, the young people acquire knowledge and practical skills in the various areas and take part in the workshops. They are also taught valuable life skills that enable them to deal better with the everyday challenges of their lives. The young people are given structure in their everyday lives, which are often characterized by conflicts within the family, experiences of violence, psychological problems or social isolation. By regularly taking part in the project, they can make good use of their free time, get to know people their own age in a protected environment and receive support during the challenging period of their development from adolescents to young adults.