Country News

Request for proposals for Transition to Scale innovations!
Grand Challenges Canada, through the Being Initiative, is investing in ready-to-scale innovations that address the root causes of young people’s distress before they escalate, strengthening the environments where they live,…
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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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Changement de pouvoir dans la recherche sur la santé mentale des jeunes : Leçons clés tirées par des chercheurs internationaux lors de la conférence de l'IAYMH
Les écosystèmes de santé mentale, qui englobent à la fois les systèmes formels (comme les politiques) et les relations informelles (comme les interactions communautaires), jouent un rôle crucial dans le soutien au bien-être de la population. Lors de la 7e édition de l'Association internationale...
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In Ecuador, young people are increasingly exposed to violence in their communities, homes, and schools. In 2023, 770 children and adolescents lost their lives to crime—a 640% increase since 2019. This climate of fear is deeply affecting youth mental health. Surveys show that 26% of adolescents feel unsafe at home or school, and one-third feel unsafe walking in their neighbourhoods.
Violence and insecurity can lead to long-term psychological effects, including anxiety, post-traumatic stress, depression, and substance use. These experiences also erode trust, reduce social connection, and make it harder for young people to thrive. Despite growing attention to youth issues by the government, comprehensive strategies to address violence-related trauma remain limited.

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 seek bold Proof-of-Concept ideas to promote the physical and emotional safety of young people within community, school, and/or family environments. These innovative solutions should 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 seek bold Transition-to-Scale ideas to promote the physical and emotional safety of young people within community, school, and/or family environments. These innovative solutions should 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

Rugby for Peace
Organisation de mise en œuvre : Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe
Type de projet : Démonstration de principe
Lieu : Quito and Esmeraldas, Ecuador
Domaine(s) thématique(s): Sports
Status: Funded

United for Sport and Healthy School Coexistence
Organisation de mise en œuvre : Fútbol Más
Type de projet : Démonstration de principe
Lieu : Guayaquil, Ecuador
Domaine(s) thématique(s): Sports
Status: Funded

Mi Escudo
Organisation de mise en œuvre : Fundación Azulado
Type de projet : Transiton-to-Scale
Lieu : Équateur
Domaine(s) thématique(s): Arts, Games
Status: Funded

Centros de Bienestar (Wellbeing Spaces)
Organisation de mise en œuvre : Fundación Salud Mental Ecuador
Type de projet : Démonstration de principe
Lieu : Quito, Cuenca, Guayaquil, Isla Portete, Chilla Grande, Ecuador
Domaine(s) thématique(s): Service Delivery
Status: Funded






