“Through the Excuse of Football, We Strengthen Medical Services”: How Football-Oriented Sport for Development Organizations Prevent Youth Violence by Promoting Healthy Development in Colombia

In the context of persistent violence affecting Colombian youth, this paper investigates the role of football-oriented Sport for Development (SfD) organizations in mitigating adolescent violence. Through in-depth interviews, 10 non-governmental organizations' (NGOs) leaders that are part of the Gol y Paz network presented their perspectives on factors exposing plural adolescents to violence, the strategies they implement to prevent violence, and the challenges they face running their organizations across these contexts. Results showed that adolescent vulnerability to violence in Colombia is influenced by various factors, including entrenched gender norms and inadequate institutional and familial support systems and the prevalence of drug trafficking in their communities. Football-oriented SfD NGOs operate as protective buffers for youth, fostering socio-emotional resilience through the creation of safe spaces and connecting young people to institutional services. The paper reinforces football's potential to serve as a peacebuilding tool by allowing NGOs to implement programs even in regions where violence is prevalent. Collaboration among NGOs, while faced with challenges, is presented as a pivotal component of a comprehensive violence prevention strategy. In conclusion, this paper identifies SfD NGOs as essential contributors to preventing youth violence in Colombia. They play a pivotal role not only by establishing free of violence spaces but also by fostering integral healthy development in youth. Additionally, these NGOs enhance collaboration to drive sustainable change.