CLAYSS - Centro Latinoamericano de Aprendizaje y Servicio Solidario

What CLAYSS - Centro Latinoamericano de Aprendizaje y Servicio Solidario does

CLAYSS (Centro Latinoamericano de Aprendizaje y Servicio Solidario) is a Buenos Aires-headquartered nonprofit civil society organization founded in 2002 to promote and institutionalize solidarity service-learning (aprendizaje-servicio solidario, AYSS) in Latin America and globally. The organization delivers a portfolio of educational products centered on service-learning pedagogy: an annual International Solidarity Service-Learning Conference held in Buenos Aires since 2002 (29th edition scheduled for August 2026), the JIAS research symposium (7 editions since 2004), the RIDAS academic journal, the global Uniservitate Programme for Catholic higher education institutions, a virtual campus for online training and certification, the biennial Uniservitate Award (84,000 euros endowment), and country- and theme-specific support programmes (Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Central-Eastern Europe, Arts, Integral Ecology).

CLAYSS operates a hybrid go-to-market combining community-led network orchestration with event-driven training delivery. The organization co-holds the REDIBAS secretariat with NYLC and serves as a hub for approximately 100 institutional members across 10+ countries. Distribution relies on national service-learning networks, regional support programmes, the free online virtual campus, free public conferences with prior registration, and multilingual digital content (Spanish, English, Portuguese). Key partnerships include OEI, IARSLCE, Talloires Network, Scholas Occurrentes, Porticus (funder of Uniservitate), World Vision International, and academic hosts including UCA (Argentina) and LUMSA (Italy).

The business model is grant- and fee-funded nonprofit: revenue streams include training program fees (inquiry-based pricing for courses like 'Leaders for Service-Learning Institutionalization' at 10 weeks/48 hours), grant funding from foundations (notably Porticus for Uniservitate), and network membership collaboration. The organization operates with 48 employees across offices in Buenos Aires and Montevideo. Strategic reach spans South America, Central America, North America, Europe (including Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Poland, Romania, Albania), Africa (Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Ethiopia, Ghana, and others), the Middle East, and Asia (Philippines, Myanmar, India, Cambodia, Sri Lanka).

Name

CLAYSS - Centro Latinoamericano de Aprendizaje y Servicio Solidario

Legal name

CLAYSS - Centro Latinoamericano de Aprendizaje y Servicio Solidario

Website

https://clayss.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CLAYSS is a Buenos Aires-based nonprofit founded in 2002 that promotes solidarity service-learning pedagogy globally through training, conferences, research, and the Uniservitate programme for Catholic higher education, serving educators, institutions, and civil society organizations across 10+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Services and Professional Training

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Support Services (6117), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Systems & Skills Technical Assistance (BPADAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Academic Support & Learning Assistance (Tutoring Centers) (EDALABAF), Public Virtual & Blended Learning Programs (District-Run) (EDAJAAAI)

Keywords

• Service-learning education
• Pedagogical training programs
• Academic research publications
• Community engagement networks
• Educational nonprofit consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Buenos Aires

HQ country

Argentina

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Training and Capacity Building Programs: CLAYSS generates revenue through offering virtual and in-person training courses, workshops, and certification programs to educators and institutions. Courses include 'Leaders for Service-Learning Institutionalization' (10 weeks, 48 hours certification) and various specialized training programs delivered through their virtual campus.
2. Grant Funding and Institutional Support: As a non-profit organization, CLAYSS receives grant funding from organizations such as Porticus (for the Uniservitate program), and manages award programs like the Uniservitate Award (84,000 euros distributed across regions). The organization also receives support through partnerships with international foundations.
3. Network Membership and Collaboration: CLAYSS coordinates the Uniservitate membership program for Catholic higher education institutions and supports national service-learning networks, facilitating collaboration and resource sharing among member institutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CLAYSS delivers training, certification, technical assistance, and research services in service-learning pedagogy (aprendizaje-servicio solidario) to educational institutions, educators, and civil society organizations. Core offerings include online and in-person training courses via its virtual campus, the global Uniservitate programme for Catholic higher education, the REDIBAS Ibero-American network, the indexed RIDAS academic journal, and the biennial JIAS researchers' symposium. The organization is funded through grants, donations, training fees, and membership support, and produces free publications and open-access resources.

Product overview

CLAYSS is a non-profit educational organization founded in 2002, operating as a platform of interconnected services rather than a single product. The core offerings include the annual International Solidarity Service-Learning Conference, online training through a virtual campus platform, the global Uniservitate Programme for Catholic higher education institutions, the biennial JIAS research symposium, and the RIDAS academic journal. These are supported by free publications (guides, manuals, research papers), regional and national network coordination (REDIBAS), award programmes (Uniservitate Award, MacJannet Prize), and country/thematic support programmes. The organization functions as an educational resource hub providing training, research, networking, and advocacy for service-learning pedagogy across Latin America and globally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Online Training Courses (Virtual Campus) Virtual training programmes delivered through CLAYSS's online campus including courses such as 'Leaders for Service-Learning Institutionalization' (10 weeks, 48 hours), 'Service-Learning in Higher Education' (12 weeks, 48 hours), and introductory courses (4-5 weeks, 25 hours). Features synchronous video conferences, interactive study materials, individual and group activities, and tutorial support with certification. Designed for educators and institutions seeking to develop service-learning expertise.
• Uniservitate Programme A global programme coordinated by CLAYSS for Service-Learning in Catholic Higher Education. Provides financial and technical support for implementation of service-learning programmes in educational institutions, including awards, publications (Uniservitate Collection), and the Uniservitate Repository with over 1,020 free open-access items. Members are Catholic higher education institutions organized across 7 regional hubs.
• REDIBAS - Ibero-American Service-Learning Network Regional network founded October 29, 2005 in Buenos Aires, comprising approximately 100 institutional and individual members plus national networks from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Spain, USA, Mexico, Portugal, and Uruguay. Co-secretariat held by CLAYSS and NYLC. Produces RIDAS journal and organizes the JIAS research symposium. Open to institutions and individuals working in service-learning.
• Support Programmes (Country and Thematic) Financial and technical support programmes for service-learning implementation including country-specific initiatives (Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Central and Eastern Europe, Peru), thematic programmes (Arts, Integral Ecology), and institutional support for educational organizations. Targeted at institutions seeking to design or scale service-learning programmes.
• RIDAS - Ibero-American Service-Learning Journal First indexed academic journal on service-learning in Spanish, published by REDIBAS. Features peer-reviewed research on service-learning topics including linguistic revitalization, teacher training, community partnerships, action research, and case studies from Spain, Peru, Italy, and Chile. Available to academic researchers and practitioners.
• Service-Learning Guides and Manuals Free downloadable publications including the 'Guide to Develop Service-Learning Projects' (20th anniversary edition by María Nieves Tapia), country-specific editions (Uruguay, Peru, Colombia, Brazil), regional editions (Latin America, Central and Eastern Europe), and thematic guides on Arts, Virtual Learning, and contexts of detention. Available to educators and institutions worldwide.
• Diplomatura en Aprendizaje y Servicio Solidario Postgraduate diploma programme in solidarity service-learning (Diplomatura en Aprendizaje y Servicio Solidario) offered by CLAYSS as part of its professional training portfolio, designed for educators and practitioners seeking in-depth qualifications in service-learning methodology.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200 service-learning experiences submitted from institutions worldwide for the 2022 Uniservitate Award, with 28 receiving awards
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• REDIBAS (Red Iberoamericana de Aprendizaje-Servicio)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 October 2005The Ibero-American Service-Learning Network was founded in Buenos Aires on October 29, 2005 by CLAYSS and NYLC together with government agencies, civil society organizations, universities, and regional bodies from Latin America, the United States, and Spain. CLAYSS holds the Executive Secretariat along with NYLC. The network includes national networks from 10+ countries and approximately 100 institutional and individual members.
• National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYLC is co-secretariat of REDIBAS alongside CLAYSS and organizes the annual National Service-Learning Conference in the USA in April. NYLC collaborates on international conferences and network activities.
• OEI (Organización de Estados Iberoamericanos para la Educación y la Cultura)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOEI is a regional international organization that forms part of and collaborates with REDIBAS, supporting the promotion of service-learning across Ibero-American countries.
• IARSLCE (International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational association of service-learning researchers that collaborates with REDIBAS and participates in CLAYSS-organized events and conferences.
• Talloires Network of Engaged UniversitiesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal network of universities committed to civic engagement. CLAYSS participates in Talloires Network conferences and coordinates the MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship that recognizes student community service initiatives.
• Scholas OccurrentesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScholas Occurrentes is an international organization of Pope Francis focused on education. CLAYSS collaborates with Scholas Chairs network and participated in presenting at international congresses.
• World Vision InternationalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld Vision invited CLAYSS to share experience working in service-learning networks worldwide. CLAYSS presented to over 100 participants from 20+ countries including Albania, Brazil, Cambodia, Colombia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Philippines, and others. WVI is working on service-learning initiatives across different regions.
• New Horizons Foundation (Romania)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew Horizons Foundation in Romania, presented the implementation process of service-learning in Central and Eastern Europe at CIECS conference. CLAYSS has supported and promoted the CEE network's creation and expansion.
• LUMSA University (Italy)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLUMSA collaborates with CLAYSS and Uniservitate to host the VII Global Symposium in Castel Gandolfo, Italy in October 2026.
• Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCA hosts the annual International Solidarity Service-Learning Conference and serves as the venue for CLAYSS's flagship event in Buenos Aires.
• T4 EducationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerT4 Education organizes the World's Best School Prizes recognizing institutions for community work, environmental defense, and innovation. CLAYSS promotes this opportunity to its network of educational institutions.
• Fundación Díaz VélezminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFundación Díaz Vélez runs the Fortalecimiento de Escuelas program financing projects in rural and agricultural schools. CLAYSS promotes this opportunity to Argentine schools.
• Catalyst 2030minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal network of social entrepreneurs and changemakers. CLAYSS participated in the Social Enterprise Scholar Practitioner Forum organized by Catalyst 2030.
• Engagement AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian organization promoting research and engagement in higher education. CLAYSS promotes Engagement Australia's Transform journal to its network and participates in their activities.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Points of Light: Points of Light is a major U.S.-based volunteer and civic engagement organization. CLAYSS has participated in its Washington DC conference, and the two share a service/volunteer-promotion mission, though Points of Light operates at significantly larger scale.
• Ashoka: Ashoka is a global organization supporting social entrepreneurs and changemaker education. While broader than CLAYSS's service-learning focus, both operate as capacity builders for civic/social impact and share an institutional-change approach in education.
• Scholas Occurrentes: Scholas is a Vatican-affiliated international education organization founded by Pope Francis. It is a strategic partner of CLAYSS and operates in a broader educational mission space, making it a large incumbent peer in international civic-education programming.

Emerging players

• AIESEC: AIESEC is a global youth-led organization running leadership and cross-cultural service programs for students. It overlaps with CLAYSS's student-facing civic-engagement mission, especially through youth exchanges and Solidarity Youth Meeting-style convenings.

Direct peers

• Campus Compact: Campus Compact is a U.S.-based coalition advancing civic engagement across higher education institutions. It is comparable to CLAYSS in mission — supporting institutionalization of community engagement — though it operates at larger U.S. scale.
• Talloires Network: Talloires is a global network of engaged universities committed to civic engagement, and CLAYSS coordinates the MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship on its behalf. Both organizations function as conveners, capacity builders, and recognition bodies for civic engagement in higher education.
• National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC): NYLC is the U.S. leading service-learning organization and co-secretariat of REDIBAS alongside CLAYSS. Both organizations run national service-learning conferences, train educators, and operate the same practitioner network — making NYLC the most direct peer in mission and operating model.
• International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement (IARSLCE): IARSLCE is the principal international research association for service-learning and community engagement. CLAYSS is an active partner and JIAS participants publish within this ecosystem, making IARSLCE a direct peer in advancing service-learning scholarship and practice.

Regional players

• Engagement Australia: Engagement Australia is the Australian peak body for university civic engagement and publishes the Transform journal. It is a regional peer with a comparable mission of institutionalizing community engagement in higher education, though focused on Australia.
• New Horizons Foundation (Romania): New Horizons Foundation is a Romanian NGO that has driven service-learning implementation across Central and Eastern Europe with CLAYSS support. It is a regional peer operating a comparable institutionalization model in a distinct geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/clayssdigital

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about CLAYSS - Centro Latinoamericano de Aprendizaje y Servicio Solidario