Ecuador Jóvenes en Acción youth program

The Ecuadorian government has launched the fourth cycle of the ‘Jóvenes en Acción’ program, designed to provide 700,000 young people aged 18 to 29 with work experience, training, and economic support. The initiative combines practical training and community service, including tasks related to El Niño phenomenon prevention in coordination with the National Secretariat for Risk Management.

Following the close of the initial registration period on October 15, 2026, the selection process was concluded to identify beneficiaries. President Daniel Noboa announced that the government will allocate $560 million to this phase. In a departure from previous iterations, the administration will advance the scheduled payments: the first installment of 400 USD is expected to be deposited by October 30, with a second payment scheduled for November 27, 2026. These funds are intended to cover costs such as food and transport.

The program, scheduled to run from November 4 through December 31, 2026, involves several government entities, including the ministries of Health, Education, and Infrastructure. To facilitate professional skill strengthening and workforce entry, the Ministry of Labor and Human Development has signed cooperation agreements with various industrial chambers and private companies. On October 23, 2026, Minister Diana Ramírez met with representatives from the Chamber of Industries, Production, and Employment of Cuenca and companies such as Plásticos Rival, Indurama, Lácteos San Antonio, Centro Cerámico Cermosa S.A., and Corporación Azende to expand practical learning opportunities across sectors like plastics, appliances, ceramics, dairy, and beverages.