PMI Educational Foundation to Invest $1 Million in Children International to be Social Change Agents

* More than 20,000 youth in 10 countries will strengthen critical life skills as they execute social good projects

PMI Educational Foundation (PMIEF) today announced its partnership with Children International (CI) to integrate project management into programming that gives young people the resources, tools and skills needed to act as change agents in their community. As a result, they will be better prepared to address challenges such as infrastructure dilapidation, substance abuse and violence, public health and safety, and the environment.

This initiative will help vulnerable youth build the competencies necessary to lead happy, productive lives as a result of PMIEF’s more than $1 million investment in CI over three years, including a US$ 681,349 grant plus in-kind project management fundamentals training, expert project management coaching, and educational resources.  The experiential learning opportunities CI provides will strengthen young people's understanding of, and appreciation for, civic engagement. Furthermore, CI's youth programming involves families and community members to ensure collective impact.

“Children International’s mission is to empower youth to create lasting change in their own lives and communities," said Susana Eshleman, President & CEO of CI. "With the support of PMIEF, our youth leaders will be equipped with new project management skills that enable them to lead community projects, become even more employable and multiply more good in their communities. We are grateful to PMIEF for investing in our mission over the next three years, and we are proud to be associated with such a world-class, philanthropic organization. We look forward to partnering in the 10 countries where we work to teach this very marketable skill to thousands of facilitators and youth. Together, we will prepare our CI youth to craft their own pathways out of poverty… for good.”

More than 20,000 young people participate in CI's Youth Empowerment Programs each year in Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Mexico, Philippines, the U.S. and Zambia. In addition to its focus on youth, PMIEF will provide training and a one-year mentored experience for CI staff so they successfully achieve sustainable best practices in project management.

Jeannette Barr, Executive Director of PMIEF, echoed these sentiments. "Learning project management helps youth eradicate barriers in their pursuit of academic, professional and personal goals. Not only do they gain the confidence and skills needed to lead themselves and others, but they also develop resilience and a never-give-up attitude. In addition, CI's Youth Empowerment Programs touch entire communities through meaningful projects that engage stakeholders of all ages, so everyone gets involved. We are delighted to play a pivotal role to make this happen while we also help CI professionals hone organizational efficiencies."

CI staff will begin project management training and coaching the latter half of this year. The organization will pilot its project management-integrated programming for youth in four countries in 2021, with scale up of these activities through a full rollout in all 10 countries in 2022. 

About Children International

Children International, based in Kansas City, Missouri, is a global nonprofit humanitarian organization working to help end the cycle of generational poverty. Through a long-term, customized approach, Children International supports children and youth for the first two decades of their lives, providing access to information and inspiration in the areas of health, education, empowerment through life skills, and employment. When equipped to transform their own lives, young people also transform their families and communities, and as a result, multiply good in the world. For more information, go to www.children.org

About PMI Educational Foundation

PMI Educational Foundation (PMIEF) is a 501(c)(3) supporting organization of the Project Management Institute (PMI), the world's leading not-for-profit professional membership association for those who consider project, program, or portfolio management their profession. Founded in 1990, PMIEF cultivates long-term relationships with nonprofits across the globe to help them integrate project management in their youth programs and to build their own project management capacity. The foundation achieves its mission to “enable youth to realize their potential and transform lives through project management” and its vision for “inspiring youth to achieve their goals, making dreams a reality” by investing in high-quality organizations that exemplify a commitment to preparing young people for 21st century success and an appreciation for both the societal application and value of project management. Visit PMIEF.org for more information.

About Project Management Institute

Project Management Institute (PMI) is the world's leading association for those who consider project, program or portfolio management their profession. Through global advocacy, collaboration, education and research, we work to prepare more than three million professionals around the world for The Project Economy: the coming economy in which work, and individuals, are organized around projects, products, programs and value streams. Now 50 years in the making, we work in nearly every country around the world to advance careers, improve organizational success and further mature the project management profession through globally-recognized standards, certifications, communities, resources, tools, academic research, publications, professional development courses and networking opportunities. As part of the PMI family, ProjectManagement.com® interactive website fosters online global communities that deliver more resources, better tools, larger networks and broader perspectives.