The Healthy Cities for Adolescents (HCA) programme is celebrating the successful conclusion of two impactful Phase II projects – Fort pour le Futur in Senegal and Vivo Mi Calle in Colombia – both of which have strengthened youth participation in urban decision-making, created safer and more inclusive public spaces, and laid the groundwork for long-term systemic change.
Fort pour le Futur – Senegal
Implemented in the cities of Pikine, Thiès, and Tivaouane, Fort pour le Futur’s second phase built on earlier successes to advance youth empowerment, healthier lifestyles, and municipal systems that respond to adolescent needs.
Key achievements:
- Youth empowerment: Young people developed strong advocacy skills, influencing municipal budget processes and securing dedicated budget allocations for adolescent health priorities. Over 150 participants – including youth, ministries, NGOs, and municipal leaders – took part in the national learning event in Thiès.
- Safer environments: Youth-led campaigns led to the installation of traffic safety infrastructure around schools, reducing accident risks for thousands of students.
- Systems change: Municipalities established youth advisory committees, formalised youth consultation requirements in infrastructure planning, and integrated adolescent health and wellbeing into municipal budgets.
- Health literacy: Behaviour change initiatives, sports competitions, and creative campaigns improved awareness of healthy lifestyles.
While some long-term behavioural shifts will require more time, the project successfully catalysed collaboration between municipal departments, schools, and youth groups, creating enduring structures for participation.
Vivo Mi Calle – Colombia
Operating in Cali and Palmira, Vivo Mi Calle Phase II transformed public spaces with and for adolescents, fostering a culture of participatory urbanism and intersectoral collaboration.
Key achievements:
- Community engagement: More than half of urban stakeholders (53.4%) improved their perception of young people’s ability to contribute to planning and decision-making.
- Youth inclusion: 50% of adolescents reported that local authorities are now more open to listening to their ideas, particularly regarding public space care and use.
- Policy influence: Advocacy efforts contributed to integrating public space into youth agendas and aligning with municipal strategies such as “Palmira Es Mi Casa.”
- Learning and knowledge sharing: National and local events brought together youth, community leaders, universities, NGOs, and government representatives, sharing methodologies and publishing practical resources such as Así Vivo Mi Calle and the Healthy Cities Decalogue.
Vivo Mi Calle achieved 88.6% of its planned indicator targets, with the remaining goals requiring longer-term intersectoral processes. Crucially, it has built the foundations for these changes to continue beyond the project’s end.
A shared legacy
Both Fort pour le Futur and Vivo Mi Calle have demonstrated that youth are not just beneficiaries of change, but powerful agents of transformation. They leave behind stronger municipal systems, more inclusive policies, and communities that recognise the value of adolescent voices in shaping healthier, safer, and more vibrant cities.
As these projects close, the relationships, skills, and structures they have created will continue to drive progress – ensuring that the vision of healthy cities for adolescents remains alive and growing.
