The Central America and Mexico Youth Fund (CAMY Fund) is a program of the Seattle International Foundation (SIF) that supports youth leaders and activists in the creation and implementation of projects that ensure the full and equitable enjoyment of youth rights.
Youth in the region lead the forefront of social movements and develop creative approaches to achieve social, systemic and sustainable change in their communities. They seek to challenge and transform existing power structures and draw on artivism, new media, and innovative social and political advocacy strategies to amplify their voices and stories and facilitate the advancement of their agendas.
Created in 2014, SIF’s CAMY Fund provides flexible funding, support and technical and political accompaniment to youth-led initiatives, collectives and organizations in Central America and Mexico. Its objective is to strengthen youth social movements in favor of human, social, gender and racial, and sexual and reproductive rights. With a perspective of collective care and territorial defense, the fund promotes the well-being of the partner organizations with which it works.
Focus
We focus on prioritizing the needs of the partner organizations we work with and on creating inclusive and respectful spaces for people who live in the region and work from their own vision.
The CAMY Fund brings together partners and allies to exchange learning and experiences and build peer-to-peer networks. It complements its commitment to youth through research with inclusive and participatory approaches.
Over the past nine years, the CAMY Fund has established itself as a leader and the only fund of its kind that finances youth specifically in Central America and Mexico. In addition to expanding its geographic reach and resources, it provides accompaniment to youth-led organizations, collectives and movements working in three key areas:
- Sexual and reproductive health and rights and the defense of the rights of children, adolescents, youth and gender-dissident persons in the area of sexual and reproductive health.
- Social justice and support for youth organizations and movements committed to human rights, equality and non-discrimination.
- Collective care as a strategy for action and sustainability through the prioritization of a holistic health approach, with emphasis on mental health, psychosocial support and holistic safety.
The Story of CAMY Fund
SIF’s CAMY Fund, founded in 2014, has grown and evolved in its first decade. Learn more about the creation of the Fund, its impact, and where we hope to go in the second decade.
Grantee Stories
The Volcánicas Collective promotes the rights of Nicaraguans that have migrated or
are in exile, providing healing spaces that honor and give voice to those in Costa Rica or still in Nicaragua.
For most people, it is difficult to imagine restarting life in political exile. However, young Nicaraguan activists have built a safe, inclusive and collective space in Costa Rica to recognize themselves as people in exile, while trying to re-establish their lives in the new country.
Instituto 25A is a civil society organization that works to promote political organization
and participation to create a more democratic society and dignified living conditions for all people.
Politics and governance should bring collective well-being to the people, and the people should be able to see themselves as agents of change in their communities. Instituto 25A works to make political participation go beyond formal mechanisms, empowering communities and making it a part of everyday life.
Alharaca is an independent feminist media outlet that promotes democracy, inclusion and human rights through innovative narratives and collaboration.
Alharaca is accustomed to breaking barriers. Formed by four young women in 2018, they put feminist journalism on the map and increased visibility for topics that were considered ‘taboo’ and became one of the first media outlets in El Salvador led by women.
The collective offers support to women, children, and young victims of violence and promotes community participation.
Imagine being an exceptional young student with big dreams in a community plagued by violence and poverty. One day, your university closes for political reasons, leaving you and 750 others without a chance to complete your degrees. This happened to the founders of Colectiva MIAU in 2010.
This network taps into its ancestral and spiritual roots to create a supportive space for Honduran women activists.
The COVID-19 pandemic changed the lives of people around the world. In Honduras, where social conditions have been especially challenging, few spaces existed to nurture connection and wellbeing, especially for young women. The Red de Sanadoras de Abya Yala was created in response to these challenges.
Colective Care Initiative
Activists and defenders in Central America and México work in authoritarian and high-risk contexts, and it is critical to prioritize their well-being so that they can continue to work on behalf of their communities.
Our Collective Care Initiative was created created during COVID-19 pandemic and has evolved to promote the psych-emotional well-being of activists and human rights defenders. It includes cycles of collective care, wellness workshops and safe spaces to share self-care experiences.
As SIF’s CAMY Fund, we are committed to providing collective care in the region, contributing to the long-term sustainability of social movements.
Publications
Upcoming events
August 14, 2024
Webinar
Transformative Youth Building Knowledge to Drive Social and Political Change
Join us for an interactive conversation between CAMY Fund and grantee partners as we exchange experiences on the role youth-led organizations play in organizing and training young people to demand social and political change.
This event will be held in Spanish with simultaneous interpretation available in English.
Blog
Team
The CAMY Fund has a team of people with experience and commitment to the youth of Central America and Mexico. Get to know them:
Natalia Lozano
Program Director
Araceli Sánchez
Senior Finance & Operations Manager
Melissa Zamora Monge
Program Officer
Glenda Ixtabalán
Program Assistant
Tania Bello
Program Officer
La Digna Rabia 4
PHOTO-2023-03-09-11-48-49
Copia de CAMY (67) – Flor Euceda
