One Child, One Opportunity
We are an Argentine civil society organization founded in 2001 that promotes upward social mobility in disadvantaged sectors. Our mission is to empower children from low-income backgrounds who are committed to self-improvement, along with their parents or guardians, by providing the opportunity to advance through education. We grant access to superior, long-term academic training that enriches their character and creates a positive impact on their community and their future.
We work in the areas of Buenos Aires City, Pilar, Tigre, Campana, and Zárate.
We are an Argentine civil society organization founded in 2001 that promotes upward social mobility in disadvantaged sectors. Our mission is to provide children from low socioeconomic backgrounds, who are willing to make the effort to improve themselves, and their parents and/or responsible adults, the opportunity to progress through education, giving them access to a better long-term academic formation, thus enriching their personality and positively changing their environment and future.
We work in the areas of Federal Capital, Pilar, Tigre, Campana and Zárate.
Our Values
Effort
Social inclusion
Solidarity
Trust
Freedom
Responsibility
Commitment
Effort
Solidarity
Freedom
Commitment
Social inclusion
Trust
Responsibility
Effort
Freedom
Social inclusion
Responsibility
Solidarity
Commitment
Trust
Why We Do It
In Argentina, social background continues to limit access to educational opportunities, shaping school trajectories and the future of many children.
Only 10 out of every 100 students who began primary school in 2013 managed to complete secondary school on time in 2024.
At Germinare, we have proven that by combining sustained quality education, close personal support, and networks of opportunity, a virtuous circle can be activated—one that makes upward social mobility possible.
In Argentina, social origin limits access to educational opportunities and conditions the school trajectories and future of many children.
Only 10 out of every 100 students who started primary school in 2013 managed to reach the end of secondary school in 2024 on time.*
At Germinare, we believe that by combining quality education sustained over time, close support, and networks of opportunities, a virtuous circle is activated that makes social mobility possible.
*According to the School Results Index of Argentinians for Education
How We Do it?
We create programs that provide children and their families with concrete solutions to the challenges of their social background, such as:
Socioeconomic inequality
Equity in access to and quality of education
Low academic performance
Difficulties in transitioning between educational levels and connecting with the labor market
Through these initiatives, we foster a process of transformation:
In the short term, we support students in completing secondary school.
In the long term, we guide them and open new educational and professional opportunities, enabling them to enter adulthood with the freedom to choose their own future.
We create programs that offer, to children and their families, concrete responses to the following issues in their context of origin:
socioeconomic inequality,
equity in access to and quality of education,
low academic performance,
difficulties in the transition between educational levels and connection with the labor market.
Thus providing them with a process of change: in the short term, we facilitate the completion of secondary education; and, in the long term, we guide and offer new educational and job opportunities so that they can enter the adult world with the freedom to choose their future.
We create programs that offer, to children and their families, concrete responses to the following problems of their context of origin:
socioeconomic inequality,
equity in access and quality of education,
low academic performance,
difficulties in the transition between educational levels and connections with the labor market.
Thus providing them with a process of change: in the short term, we facilitate the completion of secondary education; and in the long term, we guide and offer new educational and job opportunities so they can enter adulthood with the freedom to choose their future.
The impact on Camila
Your story of overcoming challenges is a reflection, like that of many other young people, of the results we hope to achieve through our educational programs.
Your story of overcoming challenges is a reflection, like that of many other young people, of the results we hope to achieve through our educational programs.
At the age of 11, she joined the Agents of Change Program in 2013.
At the age of 11, she joined the Agents of Change Program in 2013.
She was educated at the Río de la Plata College and graduated from the Agents of Change Program in 2018.
She was educated at the Río de la Plata College and graduated from the Agents of Change Program in 2018.
Today she studies Bioengineering at ITBA and is a member of Red Alumni
Today she studies Bioengineering at ITBA and is a member of Red Alumni
The beginning of a path of opportunities
In 1999, Constanza Oxenford was working on short-term educational programs in vulnerable communities. There, she was confronted by children who, at the end of these experiences, asked: “And now, how do we continue?” That question marked a turning point. Convinced that only sustained educational support could truly change life trajectories, she began searching for a different model.
During her studies in the United States, Constanza discovered Prep for Prep, an organization whose long-term methodology deeply inspired her. With great generosity, Dominique Michael welcomed her, allowing her to learn and study their work. Upon returning to Argentina, she adapted that model to the local context and, together with Solange Coquet, founded Germinare in 2001. Their mission: to accompany children and young people throughout their entire educational journey and open real opportunities for social mobility.
In 1999, Constanza Oxenford was working on short-term educational programs in vulnerable contexts. There she was approached by children who, at the end of those experiences, asked, “And now how do we continue?”. This concern marked a turning point. Convinced that only sustained educational support could change real trajectories, she began the search for a different model.
During her training in the United States, Constanza learned about the organization Prep for Prep, whose long-term methodology deeply inspired her. Upon returning to Argentina, she adapted that model to the local context and, along with Solange Coquet, founded Germinare in 2001, with the aim of supporting children and young people throughout their entire educational journey and opening real opportunities for social mobility.
About Constanza Oxenford
Germinare in time
2001
Launch of the Program
“Agents of Change” in Campana and Pilar.
2003
First layer of boys starts the Annual Leveling stage.
Incorporation of San Fernando as a new area.
2004
First scholarship recipients enter the secondary level in partner schools.
2005
Consolidation of work with families as part of the educational model.
2007
Incorporation of Zárate as a new area.
2009
Graduation of the first batch of "Agents of Change".
Launch of the “Alumni Network” Program to support graduates.
2010
First agreements with Universities.
Incorporation of Capital Federal as a new area.
2011
First Evaluation of results with Torcuato Di Tella University.
2014
First graduate university of the "Red Alumni" Program.
2016
Incorporation of Tigre as a new zone.
2022
Launch of the book
“The Firsts”.
2025
Evaluation of Results of the "Agents of Change" Program managed by the CIS San Andrés University.
Board of Directors
Constanza Oxenford Founder
Juan Ball President
Juan Martín Sacerdote Treasurer
Helena Estrada Secretary
Guillermo Hang
Helena Estrada Secretary
Carolina Dams
Helena Estrada Secretary
Horacio Areco
Helena Estrada Secretary
Team
Ivana Lobo
Executive Director
Ilobo@germinare.org.ar
Ivana Lobo
Executive Director
Ilobo@germinare.org.ar
Adriana Martini
Director of Administration
amartini@germinare.org.ar
Adriana Martini
Director of Administration
amartini@germinare.org.ar
Mariana Curuchet
Director of Development & Communication
mcurutchet@germinare.org.ar
Mariana Curuchet
Director of Development & Communication
mcurutchet@germinare.org.ar
Candela Venturi
Sponsorship Coordinator
cventuri@germinare.org.ar
Candela Venturi
Sponsorship Coordinator
cventuri@germinare.org.ar
Carolina Azcoitia
Agents of Change Program Manager - Leveling
cazcoitia@germinare.org.ar
Carolina Azcoitia
Program Manager of Agents
of Change - Leveling
cazcoitia@germinare.org.ar
María Inés Brizuela
Agents of Change Program Manager - Scholars
mibrizuela@germinare.org.ar
María Inés Brizuela
Head of the Agents Program
of Change - Scholars
mibrizuela@germinare.org.ar
Clara Gorostiaga
Red Alumni Coordinator
cgorostiaga@germinare.org.ar
Juana Balsategui
Alumni Network Coordinator
jbalsategui@germinare.org.ar
Florencia D'Angelo
Red Alumni Coordinator
fdangelo@germinare.org.ar
Juana Balsategui
Alumni Network Coordinator
jbalsategui@germinare.org.ar
Juana Balsategui
Alumni Network Coordinator
jbalsategui@germinare.org.ar