At the XI Leaders for Education Summit in , Constanza García, director of Communications and Social Responsibility at BBVA Colombia, told of the main social responsibility initiatives that the banking institution leads to create opportunities in Colombia.
One of them is the ‘Transforming realities’ scholarship, offered by the bank together with the Bancamía foundation. “It is a way to think about a different future,” said the director.
The most surprising announcement was the million-dollar investment that the bank has been carrying out in social and educational programs in recent years and projected until 2025: more than 500 million euros worldwide. This investment seeks to promote the development of young people and, in general, people with greatest needs.
“We firmly believe that supporting education is the best way to contribute to closing social gaps in countries,” he said.
Likewise, García presented another of the educational initiatives carried out by BBVA. This is the ‘Connected by education’ program that, together with the company Claro, reaches public schools in Colombia to offer free internet, train teachers and close digital gaps.
During the interview, a video testimony from the Wayuu community was presented. It was reported that opportunities to access higher education are difficult for indigenous peoples. However, with the BBVA ‘Transforming realities’ scholarship, Norma, an indigenous woman, was able to access the Universidad del Norte. She is just one of many examples.
“Colombia is a country of opportunities. It is incredible to tour the territory and see so many young people looking for an opportunity. Furthermore, we are the most biodiverse country in the world. What people need in Colombia is an opportunity to improve their destiny,” he noted.
In the Colombian Pacific, BBVA also carries out projects with young people. “There are many leaderships that we have been promoting with the Manos Visibles corporation and the Icesi University, and We have provided opportunities to young people from Buenaventura, Tumaco, Istmina, Quibdó and Puerto Tejada who today are about to graduate”García indicated.
The director assured that BBVA has delivered nearly 20,000 school kits to low-income families in different areas.
“We support sustainability in alliances. If we join forces, we can really have long-term impacts on these types of programs. At BBVA we believe in alliances to be able to reach more and more children and young people who are looking for an opportunity in education,” concluded the director.
