Fundación Acción Interna
Breaking Cycles: Promoting Labour Inclusion for Colombia’s System-Impacted Empowering formerly incarcerated individuals, youth exiting the juvenile justice system, and their families in Bogotá, Colombia, through skills-based training, psychosocial and legal support, and direct access to employment opportunities, aiming to break cycles of poverty and recidivism.
South and Central America
2026-2027
UN Sustainable Development Goals
Objective
To enroll 200 system-impacted beneficiaries in a comprehensive vocational training and support program, with at least 30% (60 individuals) securing formal, stable employment and a significant proportion retaining jobs beyond initial placement.
The issue
Colombia faces a high recidivism rate (22.9%), with labour exclusion reinforcing cycles of poverty and marginalisation for formerly incarcerated individuals and their families. Persistent barriers include stigma, discrimination, and limited access to decent work. Fundación Acción Interna’s evidence-based model integrates psychosocial and legal support, technical and soft skills training, and direct job placement to facilitate social reintegration and reduce reoffending.
The partner: Fundación Acción Interna
Fundación Acción Interna is a recognised nonprofit with over 12 years of experience, training more than 5,000 system-impacted individuals and achieving a recidivism rate of less than 1% among participants. The organisation collaborates with the Bogotá Mayor’s Office, private sector employers, and the National Penitentiary and Prison Institute to deliver sustainable, scalable interventions.
The project
- Intake interviews, vocational counselling, and personalised psychosocial and legal support for 200 beneficiaries
- Technical and soft skills training for 140 participants, aligned with labour market needs
- Job placement and retention for at least 60 individuals with second-chance hiring partners
- Ongoing support, monitoring, and evaluation to ensure employment retention and social reintegration
- Advocacy and employer sensitisation to reduce stigma and promote inclusive hiring practices
Brigid Gorton, Administration Coordinator, Croda Colombia
Impact
- 200 direct beneficiaries receive comprehensive support for social reintegration
- At least 60 individuals secure formal, stable employment
- Estimated 600 indirect beneficiaries (families and communities)
- Less than 1% recidivism rate among participants
- Strengthened second-chance hiring networks and systemic change in Colombia’s labour market
- Sustainable model for replication and long-term impact
Croda Foundation, established in 2020, is an independent charitable company set up by FTSE 100 specialty chemicals company, Croda International Plc, and is registered in England and Wales (number: 1196455). The Foundation is solely funded by generous donations from Croda International Plc and led by an independent Board of Trustees.