Youth Transform: funding youth-led change.

Key Results

• Ten initiatives from the second cohort received accompaniment throughout their implementation process, directly impacting approximately 40 people.
• Six initiatives successfully completed their implementation with LabSocial; at least three remain active and continue operating with their own resources.
• Three initiatives are still in the implementation phase, and one withdrew due to operational challenges.
• In January, three in-person visits were conducted to deepen knowledge of the initiatives and their results on the ground.

What we have built together

Over the past five months, we have deepened the accompaniment of the second generation of young people leading community initiatives across the Yucatán Peninsula. Between January and May 2026, the team conducted three in-person visits to the initiatives, allowing us to witness firsthand the progress made, the challenges navigated, and the creativity with which young people adapted their projects to the realities of their communities.

Of the ten initiatives that began this cycle with seed capital support, six successfully completed their implementation process with LabSocial and shared the results of their work. Rather than stopping there, at least half of these initiatives continue operating with their own resources and the networks built throughout the process — a clear sign of the sustainability that seed capital can catalyze. One initiative withdrew due to operational circumstances beyond the team's control, and three remain in active implementation.

Across the initiatives, young people demonstrated remarkable capacity for methodological adaptation, intergenerational collaboration, and the building of strategic alliances — with institutions, community organizations, and other collectives. Their projects addressed diverse and deeply rooted community needs: environmental conservation, ancestral knowledge, food sovereignty, cultural expression, sexual and reproductive rights, and youth participation.

The participating youth continue to demonstrate a deep commitment to the communities they serve and to the transformative power of organizing from the ground up, reinforcing that this process is not just about projects — it is about building a generation of community leaders.

Key Results

• Ten initiatives received support throughout their implementation process, directly impacting 560 people.
• Eight initiatives completed their implementation process; at least four remain active, supported by new resources and partnerships generated through the seed capital.
• In the second cohort, 40 young people were trained, and we received 19 proposals for the Seed Fund.
• Currently, 20 young people from 10 initiatives are implementing their community projects with seed capital support.

What we have built together

Over the past six months, we have made progress in strengthening two generations of young people leading community initiatives in the Yucatán Peninsula. With the first cohort, we continued supporting the 10 selected initiatives through virtual sessions and in-person visits, allowing us to observe concrete progress, identify challenges, and recognize key lessons learned throughout the process. Eight initiatives successfully completed their implementation and shared their final reports, while the rest continue to move forward.

With the second generation, we supported both the youth and the mentors, who were selected and trained to guide the processes. Simultaneously, we trained 40 young people in planning, strategic communication, and networking through synchronous and asynchronous sessions that facilitated the development of robust proposals.

The committee, composed of representatives from Alternativas and the Peninsular Youth Council, evaluated 19 proposals for the Seed Fund based on criteria of relevance, innovation, impact, and inclusion. From this process, 10 initiatives were selected and are currently receiving technical and administrative support.

The participating youth continue to demonstrate a deep commitment to the participation of children and adolescents, the care of the environment and their territories, the prevention of violence, and the guarantee of sexual and reproductive rights.

Testimonial

"Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart. You changed the lives of these women, and ours too, by believing in our initiative ”

The Renacer Mujer Initiative—whose objective is to contribute to the fulfillment of the human rights of women deprived of their liberty at the Mérida Women’s Prison (CERESO Femenil) through educational and employment activities and violence-free spaces—has directly benefited approximately 50 women.

Links:

• Call for advisors
• Social change initiative in defense of indigenous rights