Informing and adapting programs to reduce criminal behaviors among high-risk youth in Colombia

Medellín, Colombia is undertaking an ambitious initiative to reduce youth violence through evidence-based interventions, under the name Parceros. In collaboration with the Mayor’s Office and several important municipal secretariats, the team will develop and implement predictive models that identify high-risk youth prone to criminal behavior. These predictive analytics will be used to design targeted interventions aimed at preventing youth from engaging in violence and crime. These programs will include behavioral, informational and financial components, among others.

The team will leverage both national administrative data and localized datasets from Medellín to ensure the accuracy and precision of our targeting efforts. The project includes a series of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that will rigorously evaluate the impact of these interventions on youth outcomes. Medellín’s strong institutional capacity and its long-standing commitment to innovative public policy make it an ideal environment for implementing these cutting-edge approaches.This project is designed to generate new insights into how predictive analytics and targeted interventions can reduce youth violence in urban settings. The results will not only guide future youth-focused programs in Medellín but also provide a model for other cities in Colombia and abroad to address the challenges of urban violence and youth crime.