This was the question posed at the recent regional meeting of RedActiva, a forum that invited participants to reflect on the progress made at this midpoint in the implementation process—a time when there are still goals to be achieved, but also questions, challenges, and lessons learned that allow us to examine four countries from both internal and external perspectives.

These experiences are diverse; they take place in different regions, address specific needs, and employ their own methodologies. However, the conversations revealed a common thread: behind every initiative, there are people who, within their communities, are learning to develop solutions alongside others as Agents of Change.

Adapting is also a way to move forward

Some projects had to change their scope in order to make progress toward their goals; others replaced digital tools with more recreational in-person activities due to connectivity limitations. It was also necessary to reorganize schedules, adapt to the dynamics of various educational institutions, or find new ways to engage with communities.

The challenges varied. In Ecuador, for example, the project “Mapeando mi salud (la ruta amigable): From the Barrier to the Friendly Booth,” presented by Dominique López, had to rethink its initial strategy when negotiations with educational institutions did not proceed as expected:

We haven’t been able to move forward because of these difficulties we’ve faced, but we’ve managed to resolve them. We’ve also reached out to groups that need our help, and we’re going to work with them. The fact is, we’ve managed to resolve the issue, and we’re fully prepared to move forward.

So one of the first lessons shared at the meeting was the realization that flexibility—with clear direction—is also part of the activities carried out during project implementation.

The discussions also highlighted the importance of trusting in creativity and recognizing that adolescents themselves know best how to address certain issues within their own contexts. More than just participants, they have become Agents of Change, ensuring the sustainability of these initiatives.

In projects such as SanArte: From the Inside Out, carried out in Bolivia, and Decilo-Voz, in Honduras, young people organize meetings, set up the spaces, and coordinate various activities, convinced that youth leadership is a fundamental part of the process.

One of the ideas that came up time and again during the meeting was the role that adolescents play in the projects. In many of the examples shared, it became clear that they have become individuals who create and make decisions. This idea aligns with what Zulema Oroz, the coordinator of the “Voces y Decisiones: Young People Shaping Their Lives” project in Bolivia, mentioned:

Young people today are much better informed than we used to be. So we have to trust that they’re quite creative

The discussions also revealed that many of the solutions to the problems the projects aim to address can be found within their own territories. As a result, listening to the communities’ experiences, concerns, and aspirations has made it possible to develop proposals that are more relevant and meaningful.

In some places, art became a tool for discussing emotions and life plans; in others, sports activities and participatory approaches created opportunities to address topics that are traditionally difficult to discuss.

As the conversation progressed, it became clear that, although the initiatives share a common purpose, no two experiences are alike. And it was Daniela Quituizaca, from the SER project —Health, Education, and Respect—in Ecuador, who found a simple way to describe it:

I believe that everyone has a little spark that makes them unique, and even though they share the same goals, we must continue working to foster youth participation in order to innovate and improve the work we all do.

The remark drew smiles because the differences were not seen as a gap between the projects, but rather as an opportunity to inspire one another and learn from others’ experiences. Because, in the end, sharing experiences also allows us to build on what others have already learned.

Toward the end of the meeting, one question brought together the reflections of those in attendance: What idea or practice will I take away to apply to my project? The responses focused on teamwork, partnerships, the importance of sharing the knowledge gained, and the ability to restructure processes and proposals when circumstances change.

There was also a need to involve young people from the very beginning of these initiatives, to trust that it is possible to build networks, and to recognize the value of perseverance and collective commitment.

More than just a list of recommendations, these ideas showed that listening to others’ experiences can open up new possibilities for moving forward. Rocío Palacios, the project lead for Talentos Ocultos in El Salvador, put it in a way that broadened the conversation even further:

We must try to share what we’ve learned as widely as possible (…), so that everyone everywhere can learn about projects that are working to improve the lives of young people

Rather than providing definitive answers, the meeting raised new questions and opened up possibilities for collaboration. It also helped us recognize that learning is part of the process and that taking the time to share what we’ve learned is a way to strengthen our collective work.

As the meeting drew to a close, Alejandro Ibarra, FdW’s Manager of Projects and Partnerships for Latin America, extended an invitation that seemed to look beyond this implementation phase:

We encourage you once again to reach out to one another—across countries, across projects, among stakeholders, and among organizations

Because even before we reach the final results, there are already stories, lessons learned, and questions that deserve to be shared. Because building a Network of Agents of Change also means creating spaces where experiences are shared, ideas come together, and people discover that—even from different contexts—learning together is also a way to bring about change.