Combating Forced Child Recruitment by FTOs and TCOs
This grant funds projects in Colombia to help law enforcement investigate, arrest, and prosecute those who forcibly recruit children into terrorist and criminal organizations.
Funder: Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement
Due Dates: June 18, 2026 (Questions) | July 6, 2026 (Full Applications)
Funding Amounts: $3,500,000–$4,000,000 for one award; 24-month project period; no cost share required
Summary: Supports projects to strengthen Colombian law enforcement’s capacity to investigate and prosecute forced child recruitment by terrorist and criminal organizations.
Key Information: Only one proposal per organization; for-profit entities cannot include profit/fee in budgets.
Description
This opportunity from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), U.S. Department of State, funds a project aimed at combating forced recruitment and criminal exploitation of children by Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) in Colombia. The goal is to enhance the capacity of Colombian law enforcement and judicial authorities to investigate, arrest, and prosecute individuals and networks responsible for these crimes, thereby weakening illegal armed groups and improving public safety and regional stability.
The funded project should deliver specialized training, technical assistance, and support to the Colombian National Police and Attorney General’s Office, promote collaboration with local organizations and private sector actors (including social media companies), and improve intelligence-sharing and evidence collection, especially for online recruitment activities. The project is expected to deliver measurable operational outcomes—such as increased arrests, prosecutions, and disengagement of minors from criminal networks—while identifying legal and regulatory gaps that hinder effective enforcement.
