Within the framework of the 2023-2024 edition of the Civic Prize for a Better City, winning initiatives were awarded their seed capital. This is a significant step toward strengthening projects that positively impact vulnerable communities, allowing them to expand their scope and include more participants.
Winning initiatives include a wide range of activities: education, environment, sports, communication, entrepreneurship, culture, coexistence and peace. Each project underwent training to help them determine how to best invest their seed capital. To date, 80% of the 20 winning initiatives have received their total funds, and follow-up visits have been made to verify their achievements after having received their prizes.
Visits were made to urban and rural areas of the cities of Cali, Yumbo and Palmira. Initiatives in sports, education and music were especially striking. For the project leaders visited by
Committee members, the Prize is a crucial factor for increased visibility and strength, which in turn may project widen scope and improve tools for program beneficiaries.
“Thanks to Commitment to Valle, the Civic Prize and all their allies, we have been able to improve conditions for all the boys and girls who attend school support activities. They now have more comfortable chairs and tables, which help them learn. The learning atmosphere is better, since it is not as hot when they arrive,” explained Lonis Murillo, leader of Education for Life, which though the Altos de Menga Talent Foundation, provides educational support to area children.
This is how the Civic Prize for a Better City supports community development projects with seed capital, institutional reinforcement, as well as local and regional visibility.