Local context
The HCA scoping study in Ecuador found that adolescents living in Quevedo and Riobamba experience some of the highest rates of poverty, teenage pregnancy, suicide and homicide in the country. But these cities were also found to offer meaningful opportunities for adolescents to engage with the city administration and other local stakeholders on health and wellbeing issues.
About the project and its lead partner
Active Adolescents for Change is the vision of Lab XXI, an innovation lab that empowers youth and adolescents to become ‘agents of change’. By recognising potential and developing talents, Lab XXI’s programmes support young people’s socio-emotional development and enhance their skills for the benefit of the individuals and their communities. Working with key city stakeholders, the project aims to empower and mobilise adolescents in Quevedo and Riobamba to tackle the issues that most affect their health and wellbeing.
As a first step, HCA is supporting Lab XXI and partners to facilitate a needs assessment and co-design (NACD) process. This will enable project participants to identify the needs and potential actions for the initiative.
About the project’s needs assessment and co-design phase
NACD is a five-month phase that will ensure the active participation of adolescents in the design of projects in Quevedo and Riobamba in Phase II (2022–2026) of HCA. Adolescents will be supported to explore their needs and priorities in terms of wellbeing and will inform which areas and settings should be prioritised by the project.
Priority domains may include health and nutrition, connectedness, safe spaces, education, skills and employment, or agency and resilience. The priority settings may include households, schools, communities or digital spaces.
Adolescents will co-design a final project plan which places them as ‘agents of change’ who are capable of influencing their lives and surroundings.
The NACD phase will have three stages:
- Diagnosis: In the first stage, adolescents will determine their priorities and needs using virtual and in-person tools.
- Participatory co-design: This process will define the project’s vision and intended impact, as well as its activities and ways of working.
- Plan feedback: The planning process will elicit feedback from local stakeholders. After that, a final proposal for implementation will be submitted and approved by the HCA Global Team to move directly into implementation.
Project consortium and partnerships
Lab XXI is currently forming a diverse and multi-sectoral partnership for the NACD phase. They are looking to partner with DATALAT, Escuela Politécnica de Chimborazo (ESPOCH) and the municipal governments of Riobamaba and Quevedo, as well as local civil society organisations in the youth sector.