REPEM is a civil society organisation based in Uruguay. REPEM's mission is to contribute to the achievement of social and gender justice through alliance-building processes. In this article, the author, who works with REPEM, shares some reflections, lessons learned, and concerns about the issue of non-formal education for youth and adults. She focuses on the following issues: (1) restricted citizenship experienced by a significant portion of the population--women in particular--and the transcendental role of education; (2) the relevance of the portfolio of assets for the achievement of the participation of citizens; and (3) challenges posed to civil society in this sense. (Contains 1 note.)