This community-based initiative in Villaverde is helping children and young people avoid gang involvement through early education, targeted support, and long-term reintegration strategies.
PREVENTION THROUGH EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ACTION
In Villaverde, a district in Madrid, the risk of youth joining violent gangs has become a growing concern. To address this, local actors have launched a three-phase intervention model designed to inform, support, and guide at-risk young people toward safer choices. The first phase focuses on prevention through education: workshops and awareness campaigns are delivered to primary and secondary school students, while schools and community professionals receive training and tools to spot early warning signs. Street educators also play a key role in building trust and offering guidance in public spaces.
SUPPORT FOR AT-RISK YOUTH AND FAMILIES
In the second phase, the project targets young people already at risk or in early contact with gang culture. Individualised support, therapy, and mentoring help youth understand their options and minimise harm to themselves and others. Families are also included in the process, receiving counselling and guidance to better support their children. Crucially, the initiative brings together schools, social services, law enforcement, and the judiciary to create coordinated, consistent pathways for intervention.
SAFE EXIT STRATEGIES AND COMMUNITY REINTEGRATION
For those wishing to leave gang life, the project offers a structured exit phase focused on rehabilitation and reintegration. Youth receive personalised educational and therapeutic support, participate in group activities, and are linked to employment or training opportunities. The results speak for themselves: early identification of at-risk youth, successful disengagement from gang activity, and stronger coordination across the community have already laid the groundwork for long-term change. Moving forward, the project aims to expand its impact through deeper community mobilisation and by fostering environments that help every young person feel safe, supported, and empowered to choose a better path.
