United for Sport and Healthy School Coexistence

The United for Sport and Healthy School Coexistence program addresses challenges faced by school communities in Guayaquil, Ecuador. This innovation will test the efficacy of sport and play as fundamental tools to strengthen the biopsychosocial well-being of young people who are exposed to the adverse effects of highly violent environments. The program consists of three key actions:

• Capacity building for teachers in Sport for Development, equipping them with methods to prevent psychosocial risks in contexts of violence.
• Integration of life skills development into Physical Education classes, with communication and assertive conflict resolution as cross-cutting competencies.
• Implementation of socio-sport events across the five participating schools to foster meaningful connections among students and adults.

The overall objective is to promote biopsychosocial well-being and healthy school coexistence by strengthening protective factors and creating safe, supportive spaces where young people can develop essential socioemotional skills through Sport for Development.