Social Development
Committed to social and community development
Social development that drives the future
To promote the development of communities located in the Mamonal Industrial Zone, the Zona Franca La Candelaria Foundation has created three social programs.
Through this initiative, entrepreneurship training is provided to dozens of people from the communities surrounding Zona Franca La Candelaria, mainly from Membrillal Village, located in the Pasacaballos district within Cartagena. The program seeks to enable participants to create their own businesses and provide goods and/or services to companies located within ZFLC, contributing to the reduction of unemployment, poverty, hunger, inequality, insecurity, and other social challenges.
Between 2023 and 2025, six cohorts have graduated, with 142 students from Membrillal trained in areas such as gastronomy, logistics, general services, construction, and caregiving. In addition, community-based enterprises have been created, formally registered with the Cartagena Chamber of Commerce and supported with seed capital. These enterprises are currently providing services within ZFLC and its surrounding areas.
By promoting formal income generation among the beneficiaries of this initiative, the Foundation seeks to improve their quality of life and that of their families, while also fostering the popular economy, inclusive sourcing, and community development.
Through this program, we promote workforce development opportunities for people living in the communities surrounding La Candelaria Free Trade Zone, particularly in Membrillal. The initiative aims to reduce unemployment, poverty, hunger, inequality, and insecurity, while helping address other social challenges.
Between 2023 and 2025, six cohorts graduated, comprising 97 students from Membrillal. They received training in high-demand fields within La Candelaria Free Trade Zone, including cargo handling, forklift operation, and welding. The majority of these graduates are now employed.
The program aims to graduate one or two cohorts each year while providing ongoing support to help participants secure formal employment, both within the industrial park and beyond. By enabling beneficiaries to earn a stable income through formal employment, the initiative seeks to create a lasting impact on their lives and those of their families. This not only enhances their well-being but also contributes to the long-term transformation of their communities.
It is worth noting that more than 60% of the participants trained through the Popular Entrepreneurship and Inclusive Employment programs are women.
Through this initiative, we promote the implementation of social responsibility programs that create a positive impact in the communities surrounding La Candelaria Free Trade Zone. Key initiatives include Social Employment Agency, Youth Civic Program, Merry Christmas Membrillal, Membrillal Children's Community Kitchen, Cinema in the Neighborhood, Community Junior Firefighters, Planting Membrillal, and Football Brings Us Together.
| PROJECT | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| Social Employment Agency (SEA) |
The Social Employment Agency (SEA) connects the workforce needs of companies operating in La Candelaria Free Trade Zone with job seekers from Cartagena's most vulnerable communities, particularly those located near the industrial park. Between 2023 and 2025, more than 43 people secured employment through this program. See pic |
| Children's and Youth Civic Program |
Through this program, the La Candelaria Free Trade Zone Foundation works in partnership with the National Police to provide children (ages 8 to 13) and adolescents (ages 14 to 17) from Membrillal with training in civic values, public safety, and community coexistence. The initiative encourages their active participation in the Cartagena community while promoting civic engagement, public safety, social cohesion, and stronger family ties throughout the city.
In 2023, 26 adolescents from Membrillal graduated from the program. In 2024, two new cohorts were launched—one for the Children's Civic Program (19 children) and another for the Youth Civic Program (4 adolescents). Both cohorts graduated in 2025, bringing the total to 23 graduates. In 2026, two additional cohorts—one Children's and one Youth—are planned to continue expanding the program's impact. See pic |
| Merry Christmas, Membrillal |
In December 2025, more than 120 children from the Membrillal community attended this annual celebration with their mothers. The event featured inflatable play areas, recreational activities, refreshments, prize raffles, and Christmas gifts. This holiday tradition has been held for more than 20 years and will continue to take place every December. See pic |
| Planting Membrillal |
In 2023, 30 mango trees were planted in the Membrillal community to help reduce food insecurity, restore public spaces, improve air quality, and mitigate rising temperatures. The tree-planting initiative was carried out with the participation of adolescents enrolled in the Youth Civic Program. In 2025, an additional 30 vulnerable families in the community received mango trees to plant in their home gardens, further supporting long-term food security. See pic |
| Cinema in the Neighborhood |
Through this initiative, the La Candelaria Free Trade Zone Foundation hosts a monthly family movie event for 100 children from the Membrillal community, with parents encouraged to attend alongside their children. The films selected promote positive values and family unity, helping strengthen family relationships and contributing to the prevention of domestic violence, crime, gang involvement, and substance abuse, among other social challenges. Launched in February 2024, the program had benefited approximately 1,500 children and their families by December 2025. See pic |
| Membrillal Children's Community Kitchen |
In partnership with the Cartagena Food Bank and the Membrillal Community Action Board (JAC), the La Candelaria Free Trade Zone Foundation established the first children's community kitchen in the Mamonal Industrial Zone. Twice a week—every Tuesday and Thursday—the program provides breakfast to 100 students, from kindergarten through fifth grade, at the Membrillal campus of San Francisco de Asís Educational Institution. Beyond reducing food insecurity and child malnutrition, the initiative aims to improve the academic performance of participating children. The Membrillal Children's Community Kitchen opened its doors in March 2024. See pic |
| Community Junior Firefighters |
Through this initiative, the La Candelaria Free Trade Zone Foundation works in partnership with the Cartagena Fire Department to train children from Membrillal, ages 8 to 12, in fire prevention and emergency reporting. The program helps equip the community to contribute to risk management and environmental protection. Between 2024 and 2025, 60 children graduated from the program, and a new cohort is planned to graduate each year. See pic |
| Football Brings Us Together |
Through this initiative, the La Candelaria Free Trade Zone Foundation organizes an annual soccer tournament in which employees from different Qualified Users of La Candelaria Free Trade Zone and a team from Membrillal participate. The program aims to promote sports, strengthen the relationship between the community and the industrial park, and foster the creation of social capital. See pic |
