Ser Paz works with some of the 100,000 members of ‘pandillas’ or violent youth gangs that exist in Ecuador. It organises various activities that are aimed at encouraging gang members to enter into a process of change and move away from street violence, including opportunities for training (e.g. setting-up micro-enterprises) and dialogue, which serve Ser Paz’s objective to develop conflict resolution between individuals and to maintain a culture of peace amongst young people.

The target group includes young people from broken homes, school dropouts, HIV sufferers and youngsters affected by unemployment, youth violence, alcohol and drugs. Over the past 2 years, SER PAZ has used football as a tool to promote dialogue and peaceful coexistence between rival gangs in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Ser Paz organises “Paz Urbana” or "Urban Peace" football tournaments between rival gangs with approx. 400 young participants from several different gangs taking part. The tournaments have led the pandillas to see football as a way to compete in a non-violent atmosphere and has minimised street clashes. Rival groups have learned to reconcile their differences on the pitch. The tournaments follow a methodology similar to that of "fútbol callejero" (street football) with rules that promote peace, tolerance and non-violence on the playing field. Past tournaments have also resulted in gang members surrendering their weapons to the authorities.