2017 by the Numbers: Education

At ICF, we believe that improving access to education targets societal problems at their core. With the right resources for learning, the next generation of innovators, creators, and leaders can discover their true potential and help boost their country’s economy.

But opportunities for learning and employment are drastically limited in some corners of the world. In regions of Mexico without access to effective education, young people struggle to stay in school and to find work when they do graduate. In fact, dropout rates and youth unemployment rates in Mexico are among the highest for any OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) country.

With the support of our donors, ICF continues to raise funds for initiatives that bring high-quality education and skills-based vocational programs to support the youth of this deserving nation. This past year, we accomplished more than ever before in our mission to improve education in Mexico.

Using Education to Encourage Employment in Mexico

The gap between basic education and employment is a major concern in Mexico — especially in the Baja California peninsula and Sea of Cortez region, where student poverty is rife and schooling opportunities are few.

Many students leave school unprepared for their future and demotivated by the limited careers available to them. Around 22% of young people between the ages of 15 and 29 are neither in educational programs nor employed, and 20 million of the 31 million students able to receive an education have simply dropped out of school.  

Thanks to the generosity of our donors in the fiscal year 2017, ICF contributed a total of $1.87 million in grants to support organizations that are improving education where it’s needed most. For more details about our impact, read our full annual report for FY2017.

Here are just some of the achievements that our donors helped us reach in 2017:

• Granted $1.87 million to 22 educational organizations across Latin America
• Helped 101 students graduate from high school with a new scholarship
• Provided classes on health and nutrition to 682 community members
• Gave gardening classes to 1,567 students, school staff, and parents
• Enabled 9,000 youths to enroll in musical programs

One of our most successful campaigns has been with Fronteras Unidas Pro Salud. Since 2014, this organization has offered the Órale Youth Employability Program to young people in vulnerable Mexican communities who are yet to find education or employment. As of 2017, 85% of the 800+ graduates of this program are now in gainful employment.

We are thankful and appreciative of every single donation that helped us to achieve these impressive numbers!

Help Us Fight for Better Education

We will continue to raise funds for the Órale Youth Employability Program, as well as other education initiatives in Mexico, to close the gap between education and employment among young people. In 2018, ICF will be identifying specific impact measurements that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in order to better articulate and promote our partners’ impact on the overall educational attainment of Mexico’s youth. This isn’t only essential for the success of younger generations, but for the growth and development of the country of Mexico as a whole.

Visit our website to learn more about our current education initiatives or to donate to any of our funds. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of youth in Mexico and across Latin America.