Mini-Grants
Our Mini-Grants aid Oaxacan non-profits to reduce obstacles to education and well-being.
Meet the current and past recipients.
2026 Mini-Grant Recipients
SiKanda
(International Solidarity, Kanda)
-
Visible Girls and Youth to promote violence prevention, life skills and education for peace to advance gender equality and empowerment amongst 100 girls and adolescents who reside around the largest landfill in Oaxaca, Mexico.
For the 2nd year in a row, we are supporting SiKanda with a mini-grant. Promoting sustainable local development with communities facing marginalization, SiKanda was founded in 2009. Their projects are developed from collaboration with the communities in which they are implemented, from their needs and in a mutual learning process. SiKanda’s work promotes the recognition of labor rights, gender equality, the participation of children and youth, the economic empowerment of women, cohesion, and the social fabric, governance, environmental education, and more.
-
At least 90% of total participants improve their knowledge and practices on gender equality and the impact it has on their lives.
At least 90% of total participants increase their knowledge on identifying and preventing at least two types of violence (sexual, relationship, human trafficking) and increased confidence when referring to the changes in their bodies, particularly menstruation.
At least 90% of total participants report having at least one person to whom they could go to for support.
Violence Prevention Knowledge Improvement
Participants with Support
Gender Equality Knowledge Improvement
Years
Program
90%
90%
2
90%
IDEAS Comunitarias
(Community Ideas)
-
School for the Common Good (Escuela para el Bien Común – EBC) The EBC is a non-formal education program designed for members of grassroots organizations, including youth collectives and community-based groups. Its purpose is to strengthen participants' knowledge, skills, leadership, and organizational capacity so they can effectively promote the social development of their communities.
IDEAS Comunitarias works alongside youth, farmers, Indigenous communities, women, and men who, due to historical or current social and economic circumstances, face significant challenges. They strive to build a society rooted in justice, dignity, healthy relationships, and harmony with the environment. Their work supports projects and initiatives that promote active citizenship, sustainable livelihoods, and the preservation and celebration of local cultures.
-
A stronger commitment to and active participation in the common good among youth and adults within the communities we serve.
Greater community capacity to address shared challenges, with stronger collective leadership and problem-solving (collective agency).
An increase in sustainable, community-led initiatives that continue to grow and create lasting impact over time.
Greater Community Capacity
Community-Led Initiatives Increase
Stronger Community Participation
Months
Program
6
2025 Mini-Grant Recipients
Centro de Aprendizaje
The Oaxaca Learning Center
-
Mini-Grant Project: Support for an Academic Counselor to provide tutoring services and serve as a mentor for 15 students.
Founded in 2005, The Oaxaca Learning Center supports, motivates and accompanies socially disadvantaged young people through youth-to-youth intervention and comprehensive training that features academic, social, and psychological components. The Center features a robust academic tutoring program including admissions exam preparation.
-
Purchase 25 new sets of sheets for student residents. Acquire paint and labor to renovate the dormitory area. Provide a safe and clean environment for residents.
50
320
High School Students
Hours of Tutoring
30 %
5
Months Program
Students' Knowledge Improvement
Protección a la Joven de Oaxaca
Protection of the Young Women of Oaxaca
Residential Dorm Revitalization
Protection of the Young Women of Oaxaca provides refuge and more to young, indigenous women who seek to better their lives by obtaining an education. Founded in 1949 in Mexico and moved to Oaxaca in 1959, Protection of the Young Women offers residential dorms to approximately 25 women, allowing them to study at a local university. Residents obtain a variety of life skills, including the opportunity to generate income and learn small-business operations by working at an on-site store.
-
Purchase 25 new sets of sheets for student residents. Acquire paint and labor to renovate the dormitory area. Provide a safe and clean environment for residents.
25
1
New Set of Sheets
Month Project
SiKanda
(International Solidarity, Kanda)
-
a project promoting violence prevention, life skills, education for peace, gender equality and empowerment among 100 girls.
SiKanda was founded in 2009 with the goal of creating sustainable local development in communities facing marginalization. It develops projects in collaboration with the communities to address specific needs. SiKanda’s promotes labor rights, gender equality, the participation of children and youth, economic empowerment of women, governance, and environmental education.
-
At least 90 percent of participants improve knowledge and practice of gender equality; increase knowledge and prevention of at least two types of violence (sexual, relationship, human trafficking); gain confidence when referring to the changes in their bodies, particularly menstruation; and report having at least one person to then can turn
gender equality knowledge Improvement
Girl Participants
8
Months Program
100
90%
Support the Organizations Making a Difference
Your support helps local nonprofits turn their ideas into programs that create meaningful opportunities and lasting change in Oaxaca.
Oaxaca Youth Empowerment, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.
Our Tax ID is: 35-1988669