area of work

Positive youth development

We give adolescents and young people the knowledge, confidence and life skills to make informed decisions and become leaders in their communities.

The challenge
Our response
Projects
Gallery

Colourful skirts and bare feet of girls dancing on the sand at a SKILLZ event

SKILLZ coaches with their certificates in a group photo on the grass

the challenge

Norms that can change

Adolescent girls, in and out of school, and children at risk of early marriage are at the centre of GCR's work. Violence against girls is rooted in social norms, and social norms can change.

That is why GCR works with girls, boys, parents, teachers, religious leaders and elders to challenge early marriage and sexual violence, and gives girls the knowledge and confidence to protect themselves.

our response

Sport, mentoring and links to services

With Grassroot Soccer and funding from the ExxonMobil Foundation, GCR implements the SKILLZ programme in Chimoio and Gondola, Manica. Using football-based games led by local coaches, SKILLZ helps girls and young women aged 15–24 prevent gender-based violence and early unions, and helps young people protect themselves and their families from malaria.

In 2025, SKILLZ Girl reached five public schools in Pemba: 750 adolescents completed a cycle of 12 sessions over six months.

In Pemba, GCR also leads the implementation of the Literacia Digital (Digital Literacy) programme, with ExxonMobil and the Ministry of Education and Culture: 120 computers equip computer labs in 8 public secondary schools.

01
Safe spaces

Young people learn in inclusive, trusted environments.
02
Mentoring

Local coaches, women and men, guide and inspire the participants.
03
Sport for change

Games teach life skills.
04
Digital learning

A mobile phone game and digital tools reinforce learning.
05
Service linkages

Young people are referred to health and protection services.

results

Results achieved

750

adolescents completed SKILLZ Girl in five Pemba schools (600 girls)

2025

1,089

adolescents in SKILLZ in Chimoio

2024

20,040

adolescents and young people in mentoring (Tolerância Zero)

2025

Officials and students in uniform in a new computer lab in Pemba

from the field

Computer labs for 8 schools in Pemba

In March 2025, Gingone Secondary School in Pemba received the first computer lab of the Literacia Digital programme. ExxonMobil donated 120 computers to 8 public secondary schools in the city, and more than 40,000 students will benefit from these labs in the coming years.

The programme aims to widen young people's education and employment opportunities, especially for girls, and to reduce gender inequalities in technology. GCR leads the implementation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Gingone Secondary School, Pemba

Pemba, March 2025 · Photo: GCR/ZadelMaradza

projects and presence

What we have done and what we do

Cabo DelgadoAncuabe, Chiúre, Macomia, Mecúfi, Mocímboa da Praia, Montepuez, Mueda, Muidumbe, Nangade, Pemba
Manica (head office)Chimoio, Gondola, Guro, Machaze, Macossa, Manica, Mossurize, Sussundenga, Tambara, Vanduzi

completedMar–Dec 2025

SKILLZ Girl and GBV prevention in schools

ExxonMobil Foundation, through Grassroot Soccer

Pemba, 5 public schools

750 adolescents completed the curriculum; 6 school campaigns reached about 2,880 students.
completed2024

SKILLZ (SKILLZ Girl and SKILLZ Malaria)

ExxonMobil Foundation, through Grassroot Soccer

Chimoio and Gondola (Manica)

In 2024, 1,089 adolescents took part in SKILLZ in Chimoio (771 in SKILLZ Girl and 318 in SKILLZ Malaria).