Interested in some practical strategies around how to leverage resources and expertise to support youth development? Want to better understand the challenges — but also the rewards — of building multi-sector partnerships in countries relatively new to such an approach? As part of its Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) learning series, the International Youth Foundation is pleased to announce the publication of Building Alliances for Youth: Lessons from Obra, based on the experiences gained over the past two years around these key public-private partnerships in the LAC region.

The Building Alliances study brings to light the results, lessons learned, as well as the challenges from Obra’s efforts to mobilize multi-sectoral support for improving the lives and prospects of the region’s vulnerable youth. Through this collaborative approach, the program was able to expand second-chance education, skills training and employment opportunities for youth as well as strengthen public debate around issues facing youth at risk in Guatemala, El Salvador, Jamaica, St. Lucia, the Dominican Republic, Peru and Colombia. In addition, Obra helped to increase private and public support for youth programming and strengthen youth voices calling for change in the region.

IYF is also releasing Obra: Alianzas por la Juventud — Confianza, Aprendizaje y Colaboración — a publication [available in Spanish only] that highlights the tremendous potential for multi-stakeholder partnerships to raise awareness, influence policy decisions and create real change among vulnerable youth.

To download the reports, click on the links below to access Building Alliances for Youth: Lessons from Obra, in English and Spanish and Obra: Alianzas por la Juventud — Confianza, Aprendizaje y Colaboración.

To download Building Alliances for Youth: Lessons from Obra, in English or in Spanish. To download Obra: Alianzas por la Juventud – Confianza, Aprendizaje y Colaboración click here.