Medellín Social School
Creating Opportunities through Sport
At the Medellín Social School, we have been working since 2023 with children and young people aged 6 to 15, together with their families, to broaden their opportunities for learning, well-being and personal development in vulnerable contexts. We currently support more than 110 participants, organised into different groups.
Our work combines sport, educational support, cultural activities, healthcare support and community engagement. Through these tools, we create safe spaces where participants can develop their abilities, strengthen relationships and gain skills that will support them both in and beyond the classroom.
Our purpose is to create opportunities for learning and growth that involve not only children and young people, but also their families and the wider community. Education is the cornerstone of our work and is aligned with SDG 4: Quality Education, which guides our approach across all Xcalibur Foundation projects.
Why do we work in Medellín?
The community we work with lives on the outskirts of Medellín and faces significant social challenges due to high levels of poverty, violence and vulnerability. According to the city’s Development Plan, more than one third of the population lives in conditions of multidimensional poverty, with peripheral districts among the most affected.
These challenges are compounded by the economic hardship faced by many families, the limited availability of safe spaces for learning and leisure, and inequalities in access to resources and services that support the comprehensive development of children and adolescents.
In this context, children and adolescents may be exposed to a range of risk factors associated with violent environments, illegal economies, school dropout, substance use or a lack of positive alternatives for their free time. These circumstances can affect their emotional and physical well-being, their continuity in education and their expectations for the future.
The community also has local networks and resources that contribute to the protection of children and adolescents. For this reason, our work seeks to strengthen partnerships that expand opportunities for learning, participation and development, using sport, culture and community activities as tools for social cohesion.
Community, Education and Sport
Sport is a powerful tool for promoting values and engaging children and young people in the programme. We therefore organise sports training sessions three days a week for different age groups. These sessions help girls and boys develop essential skills such as discipline, perseverance and teamwork, while fostering a sense of commitment that extends into other areas of their lives.
We use sport as a tool for education and social cohesion. Through training sessions, we work on values and skills such as discipline, perseverance, positive relationships and teamwork, while also creating spaces that foster trust, participation and well-being. We place particular emphasis on encouraging the participation of girls and adolescent girls, promoting safe and inclusive sporting environments where they can express themselves, build confidence and develop on equal terms.
Building on this connection, we broaden our support through cultural activities and educational assistance, strengthening participants’ motivation to learn, emotional well-being and mental health. We also involve families through activities and community meals that encourage participation and strengthen ties within the community.
In addition to these activities, students at the Social School and their families are enrolled in a health support and promotion programme, which provides health check-ups and ongoing support from students at Universidad de San Martín, as part of our commitment to other Sustainable Development Goals.
Aligning with the 2030 Goals
At the Foundation, we align our activities with several specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to maximise our impact and contribute to a better future. In order not to lose sight of our overall mission, the main SDG that we address in all our programmes is SDG 4: Quality Education. The specific SDGs of the Medellín Social School are the following:
3.5 Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.
3.7 By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes.
5.2 Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
5.5 Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.
10.2 By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
Who makes the Medellín Social School possible?
The Medellín Social School is made possible through collaboration with local organisations and institutions that understand the area and play an active role in its community life. These partnerships allow us to strengthen the quality of our work, broaden our reach and build stronger relationships with children, adolescents and their families.
Fundación Revel plays a key role in our social and sports activities, providing technical support through the methodology of the European Football Institute and helping to strengthen both the quality of the training sessions and the educational work carried out through sport.
‘The essence of the Medellín Social School lies in coming together with those who share a vision centred on the well-being of children, adolescents and young people in Colombia, and on giving them hope for the future. Together with the Fundación Xcalibur team, we share that vision of working to develop better athletes and better people’, explains Carlos Salazar, President of Fundación Revel.
We also receive support from Fundación El Colombiano in organising events and community activities and in connecting with other cultural organisations in the area, such as Fundación Ratón de Biblioteca. Parroquia San José, meanwhile, provides an important meeting point for the community and helps us connect with young people and families. This network of local collaboration is an essential part of the Social School and its ability to create spaces for participation, learning and well-being.
Committed to Change
At Medellín Social School, we are committed to creating a positive and lasting impact in the community of Medellín. Through football and values-based education, we work to reduce inequalities, improve health and well-being, and promote gender equality. We believe that every girl and boy deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, and we are dedicated to making this vision a reality.
Join us in this mission and be part of the change we want to see in the world. Together, we can build a better future for the next generation.
