A total of 360 people from 19 districts across the departments of San Pedro, Guairá, Caaguazú, and Paraguarí have taken part in the second edition of a social innovation competition. The #JóvenesDelCambio (Young People of Change) is organised by Plan International Paraguay and Koga. The programme selected 57 winning youth-led projects that will receive seed funding, technical support, and mentoring to bring their ideas to life.
The competition invited participants aged between 14 and 24 to develop practical solutions to challenges affecting their local communities. The selected initiatives focus on five key areas: child and adolescent protection,education and opportunities, youth leadership and empowerment, health and wellbeing, and innovation and technology for social impact.
Young Paraguayans developing local solutions
Throughout the competition, participants took part in a series of in-person and virtual workshops. These were designed to help transform ideas into viable community projects. Attendees worked alongside mentors, exchanged experiences with fellow participants, and strengthened their skills before presenting their proposals.
The programme aims to empower young people to become active agents of change. The aim is to provide them with the resources needed to address issues they experience firsthand. Rather than offering theoretical training alone, the initiative supports participants from the earliest stages. From project development to implementation and long-term monitoring.
Noelia Errecarte, Country Representative for Plan International Paraguay, states: “When young people are given the space, tools, and confidence to lead, they are capable of creating practical solutions to the challenges facing their communities. Through Young People of Change, we aim to strengthen that potential and support them in turning their ideas into actions with a real impact.”
A safe community space
One of the most successful initiatives from the programme’s previous edition demonstrates the type of impact organisers hope to replicate. The Recreational Park project was initiated by three young people from San Pedro, who decided to restore the neglected playground at their local school after witnessing children forced to play in unsafe conditions.
“Every day we saw the playground in ruins, and we felt we had to do something. We did not want children to keep playing somewhere so dangerous,” explain participants Camila, Ronny, and Jazmín.
Their initiative transformed the deteriorated area into a safe and welcoming recreational space. Now, the park serves dozens of children in the surrounding community.
Beyond seed funding
“One of the most meaningful stages of Young People of Change is supporting the implementation of the projects and witnessing ideas take shape, creating a genuine impact within communities. It is a privilege to accompany young people who are determined to lead change and make a difference,” says Andrea Ferreira, General Coordinator at Koga.
The 57 winning teams will receive seed funding. Ranging from ₲6,000,000 to ₲7,000,000 (approximately US$985 to US$1,150), along with a tablet for each team member. Also, specialised technical assistance from Koga to help launch their projects. Participants will also receive guidance in developing work plans, ongoing mentoring from local experts, and opportunities to share experiences with other teams involved in the programme.
Building long-term community impact
Support does not end once projects are underway. Following implementation, each initiative enters a monitoring phase designed to evaluate its impact and strengthen its long-term sustainability. Participants take part in additional workshops covering community project management and strategic planning. Additionally, risk management and sustainability, equipping them with practical tools to ensure their initiatives continue benefiting their communities well beyond the initial funding period.
Across its first two editions, the competition has selected 76 youth-led projects for implementation in communities throughout Paraguay. Organisers hope the programme will continue demonstrating how investing in young people’s ideas can produce lasting social and community benefits while encouraging a new generation of local leaders.
Also read: Paraguay Greenlights Over US$42 Million In New Investment Projects
