- GOYN communities from Mexico City, Barranquilla, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Bogotá shared methodologies, experiences, and strategies to accelerate collective impactin theirterritories.
- The GOYN Latin America Regional Gathering consolidated a city-to-city collaboration agenda to propose solutions that address the challenges facing young people across the region.
Bogotá, july 2026
For four days, Bogotá hosted the GOYN Latin America Regional Gathering, bringing together representatives from GOYN communities in Mexico City, Barranquilla, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Bogotá to exchange lessons learned, strengthen partnerships, and build a joint agenda aimed at creating more and better opportunities for young people across the region.
The gathering provided an opportunity to share experiences, methodologies, and working models that each city has developed to address one of Latin America’s main challenges: reducing the barriers that limit young people’s access to education, formal employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities.
The first day began with a presentation of GOYN Bogotá’s territorial approach, offering an opportunity to learn aboutthe evolution of its strategy, its governance model, and the initiatives that have helped consolidate a collective impact ecosystem focused on Opportunity Youth. Subsequently, participating cities shared their progress, challenges, and lessons learned on topics including employability, youth engagement, ecosystem strengthening, institutional coordination, and sustainability.
“Each country came with its own experience, and what we discovered is thatthe challenges are similar, even though the territories are different.”
Anna Becker, Director of Decola Cria – GOYN Rio de Janeiro
On the second day, discussions focused on exchanging tools and methodologies to strengthen collective impact across territories. The communities explored impact measurement strategies, Pay for Results models, strategic communications, governance, and collaborative leadership. They also learned about experiences led by GIZ and YouthBuild Mexico, fostering dialogue on financing mechanisms and sustainability for youth-focused initiatives.
“The gathering strengthened the exchange of knowledge, methodologies, and good practices among GOYN communities, consolidating a collaborative agenda aimed at expanding opportunities for young people across the region.”
Nayara Bazzoli, Director of Juventudes Potentes – GOYN São Paulo.
As part of the agenda, the third day featured joint planning sessions aimed at consolidating a regional roadmap. Through collaborative exercises, the cities identified shared priorities and mechanisms to strengthen knowledge exchange, promote innovation, and accelerate solutions that address the challenges facing young people in Latin America.
“The day was dedicated to discussing Pay for Results mechanisms and other financial innovation methodologies, creating a space to share the challenges, lessons learned, and opportunities that communities have identified in implementing these models.”
Lilian Urueta, Director – GOYN Barranquilla.
The fourth day was dedicated to learning from local experiences. The delegations visited the Museo de la Ciudad Autoconstruida, a space that showcases how community organization and youth leadership have transformed the Ciudad Bolívar district. During the visit, participants explored an exhibition on Colombia’s social uprising, which provided an opportunity to reflect on the role of young people in memory-building, civic participation, and social transformation.
“I am leaving very excited to bring many ofthese learnings back to Mexico. The progress and experiences shared by the other communities have given us new ideas to continue strengthening the work we have been developing in our territory.”
Emilia Ramírez, Director – GOYN Ciudad de México.
“For GOYN Bogotá, hosting the gathering represented an opportunity to showcase the work we have been developing together with our partners to connect more young people with opportunities, while also strengthening a regional community committed to generating systemic change and expanding opportunities for young people to thrive.”
Camilo Franco, Director – GOYN Bogotá.
About the Global Opportunity Youth Network
The Global Opportunity Youth Network (GOYN)is a global initiative that, through collaboration with local stakeholders, financial innovation, evidence-based interventions, and ecosystem mobilization through collective impact, seeks to improve the well-being of young people by promoting economic opportunities, comprehensive training, participation, and leadership. Currently, GOYN Bogotá brings together more than 100 stakeholders from the public and private sectors, NGOs, and training organizations. Members of its Steering Committee include Fundación Corona, Cámara de Comercio de Bogotá, Compensar, Accenture, United Way Colombia, Fundación Bolívar Davivienda, Invest in Bogotá, Fundación ANDI, Corporación Mundial de la Mujer Colombia, Fundación Zoraida and Grupo Asesor de Jóvenes de GOYN Bogotá.
For more information:
GOYN Communications – comunicaciones@goyn.org
Diana Carolina Franco – 3107702419