FY21 Q2 PERFORMANCE REPORT: Puentes Project

The project began in 2018 and is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The project's main objective is to increase access to education, employment, and social support services for youth, with a focus on vulnerable populations such as indigenous youth, youth with disabilities, and youth from low-income backgrounds. The project has made significant progress in achieving its objectives. In terms of education, the project has increased access to alternative education for youth, with over 1,000 students reached with USG education assistance. The project has also trained over 200 facilitators to deliver Puntos Crea (Youth Creator Spaces) activities, which provide youth with skills and knowledge to improve their employability. In terms of employment and entrepreneurship, the project has supported over 500 youth in accessing technical assistance, and over 200 microenterprises have been supported by USG assistance. The project has also placed over 100 youth in internships or apprenticeships, and over 50 youth have received a cash transfer to facilitate employment or entrepreneurship. The project has also made significant progress in promoting an environment conducive to youth access to social support, services, and opportunities. The project has increased equitable access for all youth, regardless of gender, physical disability, or sexual orientation, with over 70% of participants being female. The project has also supported indigenous youth through the recognition and integration of their cultural heritage, as well as access to opportunities and social supports. The project has also implemented various activities to strengthen community structures and mobilize them to provide an enabling environment for positive youth development. The project has established partnerships with local and government institutions to provide youth with access to services and opportunities. In terms of monitoring and evaluation, the project has established a robust monitoring and evaluation system to track progress and identify areas for improvement. The project has also conducted regular assessments and evaluations to ensure that the project is meeting its objectives and making a positive impact on the lives of young people. The project has also implemented various cross-cutting themes, including security measures and challenges, coordination with other stakeholders, and other activities. The project has also established a cross-cutting themes team to ensure that these themes are integrated into the project's activities and objectives. Overall, the Puentes Project has made significant progress in achieving its objectives and improving the lives of young people in Guatemala. The project's focus on vulnerable populations and its commitment to promoting an environment conducive to youth access to social support, services, and opportunities have been particularly effective in addressing the needs of young people in Guatemala. The project's achievements are reflected in the various indicators and metrics that have been established to track progress. For example, the project has achieved a 27% increase in household income among program participants compared to the control group. The project has also achieved a 60% increase in the number of youth accessing educational programs paid for by barrier reduction funds. The project's success can be attributed to its strong partnerships with local and government institutions, as well as its commitment to monitoring and evaluation. The project's robust monitoring and evaluation system has enabled it to track progress and identify areas for improvement, ensuring that the project is making a positive impact on the lives of young people. The project's achievements and success have also been recognized by various stakeholders, including USAID and the Government of Guatemala. The project's commitment to promoting an environment conducive to youth access to social support, services, and opportunities has been particularly recognized, and the project has been praised for its innovative approaches to addressing the needs of vulnerable youth.