Youth in Action project and its impact on the ecuadorian community

Abstract

This study evaluated the impact of the “Youth in Action” project on the Ecuadorian community, focusing on the socio-educational development, community participation, and employment status of the participating youth. The methodology adopted a non-experimental, cross-sectional approach, which included surveys, community records, and interviews with the young people. The sample was selected by locality, and descriptive analysis, linear regression, and thematic analysis were used, with Microsoft Excel for data processing. The findings revealed that more than 60% of the participants perceived a high or very high impact from the program, highlighting significant improvements in socio-emotional skills, leadership, and community participation. A high level of weekly dedication to program activities was observed, as well as an increase in self-employment among the young people. However, limitations in formal labor market integration persisted, suggesting the need for more effective policies in this area. The study's findings highlight the effectiveness of "Youth in Action" in promoting community development and youth employability, providing crucial evidence for the design and strengthening of public policies. This work offers an updated perspective on the interaction between youth participation and territorial development, integrating quantitative and qualitative analyses relevant to the Latin American context. The implications extend to areas such as social education, public policy, and youth employment.