Shaping the Future: Young People in Central America
In Central America, many young people are confronted with poverty, violence, and a lack of prospects. Solidar Suisse supports young people in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras in finding their own path—through vocational training, knowledge of their rights, and the strengthening of self-determination and violence prevention.
A Life Between Lack of Prospects and Migration
For young people from rural and marginalized communities, access to education and formal employment is severely limited. Youth from low-income families have few opportunities to pursue further education or gain a foothold in the formal labor market. Many get by with precarious jobs in the informal sector or feel compelled to leave their home regions—either for cities or abroad. At the same time, government programs for youth development and vocational training are lacking in many areas, further reinforcing social exclusion. Young women are particularly affected, as they additionally face discrimination, violence, teenage pregnancies, and insufficient support—both in education and in the labor market.
Vocational training to become a mechanic © Solidar Suisse
New Opportunities Through Education, Self-Determination, and Income
In Central America, Solidar Suisse advocates for youth empowerment that creates professional prospects, fosters self-empowerment, and strengthens social cohesion. One example is the training model Escuela Agroecológica Juvenil (AECO) in El Salvador and Honduras: an innovative learning space where young people from disadvantaged backgrounds acquire knowledge in agroecological farming, entrepreneurial thinking, and sustainable lifestyles. The technical training is complemented by courses in violence prevention as well as sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Young people reflect on their lived realities, develop their own income-generating projects, and learn that they have rights—and a voice. The training is recognized and certified by local universities.
Building on its positive impact, this approach is being gradually expanded at the regional level. A new project is planned in Honduras, with a focus on Indigenous youth, young women, and particularly vulnerable regions. Local partner organizations and universities play a central role in implementation, quality assurance, and knowledge transfer.
Momentum for the Future
Hundreds of young people, many of them young women in El Salvador and Honduras, have gained new perspectives through AECO training or vocational education. Many have gone on to start their own small businesses to generate additional income or have found employment in the formal labor market. In the new program phase, the climate dimension is being strengthened: young people learn how to address the challenges of global warming and act in environmentally responsible ways, for example through sustainable farming practices, water protection, and resilience to extreme weather events. This work is supported by digital monitoring tools such as Hemo & Gila, which make it possible to capture, analyze, and continuously improve insights and impact. Solidar Suisse combines vocational training with ecological responsibility and gender equality, supporting young people on their path toward a self-determined and secure future.
A Future for Young People in Central America
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