Apply Now: Combating Forced Child Recruitment by FTOs and TCOs (US)

Deadline: 06-Jul-2026

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is offering a funding opportunity to strengthen Colombia’s response to the forced recruitment and criminal exploitation of children by Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs). The program will support law enforcement training, criminal investigations, intelligence-sharing, prosecution efforts, and partnerships with local organizations and social media companies. One award ranging from $3.5 million to $4 million is expected for a 24-month project beginning in September 2026.

Overview

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) seeks to strengthen Colombia’s capacity to prevent, investigate, and prosecute the forced recruitment and criminal exploitation of children by organized criminal and terrorist groups.

The initiative responds to a growing security and human rights challenge in Colombia, where children are recruited and exploited by illegal armed groups and criminal networks for activities such as drug trafficking, extortion, intelligence gathering, surveillance, targeted killings, and armed combat.

The selected organization will work closely with Colombian law enforcement and justice institutions to improve investigative capabilities, increase successful prosecutions, and disrupt criminal recruitment networks operating both online and offline.

Key Focus Areas

• Strengthening law enforcement capacity to identify and investigate forced child recruitment cases.
• Enhancing prosecution of individuals and networks responsible for recruiting and exploiting minors.
• Increasing arrests, prosecutions, and convictions of recruiters.
• Improving coordination between the Colombian National Police and the Attorney General’s Office.
• Strengthening intelligence collection, analysis, and information-sharing mechanisms.
• Enhancing digital and online evidence collection capabilities.
• Disrupting criminal recruitment networks operating through social media and other platforms.
• Preventing the exploitation of children by Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs).
• Supporting partnerships with local civil society organizations and faith-based groups.
• Engaging social media companies and private sector partners to prevent online recruitment activities.
• Promoting intelligence-led criminal justice responses against child exploitation networks.

Understanding the Challenge of Forced Child Recruitment in Colombia

Forced child recruitment remains one of the most serious child protection and security challenges in Colombia.

Criminal and armed groups recruit children through multiple methods, including:

• Coercion and intimidation.
• Abduction and forced participation.
• Financial incentives and economic manipulation.
• False promises of employment or protection.
• Recruitment through social media platforms and digital communication channels.
• Exploitation of vulnerable communities affected by poverty, conflict, and limited state presence.

Once recruited, children may be forced to participate in:

• Drug production and trafficking.
• Extortion activities.
• Surveillance and intelligence gathering.
• Transportation of weapons and illicit goods.
• Targeted killings and violent criminal operations.
• Active participation in armed conflict.

These evolving recruitment methods create significant challenges for law enforcement agencies, requiring advanced investigative tools, digital evidence collection capabilities, and stronger interagency cooperation.

Project Activities and Expected Interventions

The selected recipient will provide technical assistance, training, and advisory support to key Colombian criminal justice institutions.

Expected activities may include:

• Delivering specialized training for investigators and prosecutors.
• Strengthening investigative methodologies for child recruitment cases.
• Improving criminal intelligence gathering and analysis.
• Supporting digital forensics and online evidence collection.
• Enhancing case management and prosecution strategies.
• Developing operational coordination mechanisms between agencies.
• Assisting in identifying and dismantling recruitment networks.
• Supporting intelligence-led policing approaches.
• Facilitating collaboration with community organizations and faith-based institutions.
• Building partnerships with technology and social media companies.
• Promoting information-sharing systems that support prevention and enforcement efforts.

Geographic Focus

The project will primarily target regions and cities experiencing high levels of child recruitment and exploitation, including:

• Cauca
• Valle del Cauca
• Nariño
• Chocó
• Cali
• Medellín

Applicants may propose additional geographic areas if supported by strong evidence and justification demonstrating a significant need for intervention.

Funding Information

• Funding Agency: U.S. Department of State – Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL)
• Program Focus: Combating forced child recruitment and criminal exploitation of minors in Colombia
• Award Type: Single award
• Funding Amount: $3.5 million to $4 million
• Project Duration: 24 months
• Anticipated Start Date: September 2026
• Geographic Scope: Colombia

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• U.S.-based non-profit organizations.
• Foreign non-profit organizations.
• Educational institutions.
• For-profit organizations.
• Organizations with demonstrated experience implementing criminal justice programs.
• Organizations with experience working in Colombia.
• Entities with expertise in law enforcement capacity building, criminal investigations, prosecution support, intelligence systems, child protection, or justice sector reform.

Applicants should demonstrate the ability to operate effectively in complex security environments and coordinate with government, civil society, and private sector stakeholders.

Why This Opportunity Matters

This initiative addresses both child protection and national security priorities.

Key expected benefits include:

• Protecting vulnerable children from exploitation and violence.
• Reducing the operational capacity of criminal and terrorist organizations.
• Strengthening criminal justice institutions in Colombia.
• Improving prosecution outcomes against recruiters and traffickers.
• Enhancing digital investigation capabilities.
• Increasing collaboration between law enforcement and community organizations.
• Preventing online recruitment of minors through stronger partnerships with technology companies.
• Supporting long-term public safety and rule of law objectives.

The program recognizes that effective prevention and prosecution require coordinated efforts involving government agencies, communities, civil society organizations, faith-based institutions, and the private sector.

How to Apply

• Review the full funding opportunity announcement and eligibility requirements.
• Assess organizational experience in criminal justice, law enforcement support, child protection, and Colombia-focused programming.
• Develop a comprehensive project strategy aligned with the program objectives.
• Identify proposed target regions and justify any additional geographic areas.
• Design training, technical assistance, intelligence, and prosecution support activities.
• Establish partnership strategies involving government agencies, civil society organizations, faith-based groups, and private sector actors.
• Prepare a detailed budget within the funding range of $3.5 million to $4 million.
• Develop measurable indicators for arrests, prosecutions, convictions, and prevention outcomes.
• Submit the completed application before the official deadline specified in the funding announcement.

Tips for Applicants

• Demonstrate experience supporting criminal justice and law enforcement institutions.
• Highlight previous work related to child protection and prevention of exploitation.
• Include strong monitoring, evaluation, and learning frameworks.
• Show experience working with government agencies in complex environments.
• Incorporate digital investigation and cyber-enabled evidence collection approaches.
• Develop realistic partnership models involving community organizations and private sector stakeholders.
• Present a clear sustainability strategy for long-term institutional strengthening.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Proposing activities that focus only on prevention without strengthening prosecution and investigation capacities.
• Failing to demonstrate experience in Colombia or similar operational contexts.
• Providing insufficient plans for coordination with government institutions.
• Overlooking online recruitment and digital evidence collection challenges.
• Submitting unrealistic implementation timelines.
• Presenting weak monitoring and performance measurement frameworks.
• Failing to explain how proposed activities will increase prosecutions and convictions.

FAQ

What is the purpose of this funding opportunity?

The program aims to strengthen Colombia’s ability to prevent, investigate, and prosecute the forced recruitment and criminal exploitation of children by Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs).

How much funding is available?

A single award ranging from $3.5 million to $4 million is expected to be provided.

How long will the project last?

The anticipated project period is 24 months, beginning in September 2026.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include U.S. and foreign non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and for-profit organizations with relevant experience in criminal justice programming and international project implementation.

Which areas of Colombia will be targeted?

Priority areas include Cauca, Valle del Cauca, Nariño, Chocó, Cali, and Medellín, although applicants may propose additional locations with appropriate justification.

What types of activities will be funded?

Funded activities may include law enforcement training, prosecutorial support, intelligence-sharing, digital evidence collection, criminal investigations, partnership development, and efforts to disrupt recruitment networks.

Why are social media companies included in the initiative?

Social media platforms are increasingly used by criminal groups to recruit and exploit children. The program seeks to strengthen collaboration with technology companies to improve prevention, detection, and information-sharing efforts.

Conclusion

The INL funding opportunity represents a significant investment in strengthening Colombia’s response to forced child recruitment and criminal exploitation. Through enhanced law enforcement capabilities, stronger prosecution efforts, improved intelligence systems, and partnerships with civil society and private sector actors, the initiative aims to protect vulnerable children, dismantle recruitment networks, and strengthen the rule of law. Organizations with expertise in criminal justice reform, child protection, and security sector capacity building have an important opportunity to contribute to long-term safety and resilience in Colombia.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.