Equity in action: New visual summary sparks dialogue on youth inclusion in cities

Healthy Cities for Adolescents (HCA-II) continues its mission to foster inclusive urban environments for adolescents with the release of a concise visual summary of the Equity and Inclusion Formative Learning Paper, produced by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) in their capacity as HCA-II global learning partner.

The full paper – launched earlier this year – drew on fieldwork from six countries to explore the real-life barriers adolescents face in intermediary cities and the trade-offs implementers must navigate to promote inclusion. This new visual summary distills key findings, quotes, and strategies into a more accessible and engaging format for a wider audience.

On 14 July 2025, over 60 participants gathered for a webinar hosted by IDS and Ecorys to reflect on the paper’s insights and discuss their own experiences. Using a fictional but realistic scenario – set in “Marvellous City”– participants examined common dilemmas such as youth ownership vs. sustainability and inclusion vs. scale. Breakout sessions allowed for peer exchange across Fondation Botnar-supported programmes, reinforcing the shared commitment to inclusive urban youth work.

Whether you’re part of HCA-II or another initiative, this summary offers practical inspiration and a chance to engage in live issues that affect youth participation today.

Read the visual summary
Explore the full paper
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