Country News
Request for Proposals: Ecosystem Catalyst Opportunity for Ecuador
We’re seeking Ecosystem Catalyst proposals from mental health organizations, civil society organizations, social enterprises, research institutions, consortiums, and others who work with and can influence decision-makers, public sector representatives, community…
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Shifting Power in Youth Mental Health Research: Key Lessons from Global Researchers at the IAYMH Conference
Mental health ecosystems, which encompass both formal systems (like policies) and informal relationships (such as community interactions), play a crucial role in supporting population wellbeing. At the 7th International Association…
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In Ecuador, rising violence is deeply impacting young people, with 770 crime-related fatalities recorded in 2023—a staggering 640% increase from 104 cases in 2019. Insecurity, violence, and the fear of harm are taking a serious toll on youth mental health. The majority of stakeholders in our landscape analysis identified insecurity as an urgent concern for youth safety and wellbeing, highlighting its role in driving mental health challenges such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use, and suicide attempts.
Consulted stakeholders also highlighted the need for stronger collaboration among national mental health actors in Ecuador. A well-coordinated network is essential to integrating promising youth mental health approaches into national frameworks and resource plans.
What we’re funding in Ecuador
Proof-of-concept funding:
Proof-of-concept (POC) funding up to $250,000 CAD will be awarded to early-stage projects that can implement, test and refine solutions to country-specific personal, social, and/or environmental factors impacting young people’s mental health and wellbeing in one of the 12 countries.
In Ecuador, we’re funding POC ideas to promote the physical and emotional safety of young people within community, school or family environments. These innovative solutions should include a focus on preventing violence against young people.
Transition-to-scale funding:
Transition-to-scale (TTS) funding between $300,000 CAD and $1,500,000 CAD will be awarded to support tested mental health promotion and prevention approaches that align with country-specific priorities along their scaling journey to help catalyze their sustainability and impact.
In Ecuador, we’re funding TTS approaches to promote the physical and emotional safety of young people within community, school or family environments. These innovative solutions should include a focus on preventing violence against young people.
Ecosystem catalyst funding:
Ecosystem catalyst (EC) funding between $200,000 CAD and $300,000 CAD will be awarded to organizations that can address priority barriers to scale, such as legislation, evidence, coordination, and mobilize demand to help mental health initiatives succeed and grow in one of 12 priority countries.
In Ecuador, we’re funding EC proposals that support better alignment and collaboration among mental health stakeholders to advance youth mental health and their safety on the national agenda.
Funded Innovations
Mi Escudo
Implementing Organization: Fundación Azulado
Type: Transiton-to-Scale
Location: Ecuador
Thematic Area(s): Arts, Games
Status: Funded
Centros de Bienestar (Wellbeing Spaces)
Implementing Organization: Fundación Salud Mental Ecuador
Type: Proof-of-Concept
Location: Quito, Cuenca, Guayaquil, Isla Portete, Chilla Grande, Ecuador
Thematic Area(s): Service Delivery
Status: Funded
