Ecuador launches youth economic support program
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President Daniel Noboa of Ecuador announced the fourth cycle of Jóvenes en Acción, a program providing economic support to young people, on October 15, 2026.
The initiative, formalized through Executive Decree 520, aims to support up to 700,000 citizens across the country by enhancing community skills and abilities. Each selected participant will receive 800 dollars total, distributed as two payments of 400 dollars. The first payment will cover expenses like food and transportation before community work begins.
The second payment depends on completing assigned tasks, verified by responsible agencies. To qualify, applicants must be Ecuadorian citizens between 18 and 29 years old, not be currently employed by certain state institutions, and possess an active bank account. The program prioritizes those in extreme poverty, followed by those in poverty and those not in poverty, with first-time applicants receiving priority. People not listed in the Social Registry may also apply, with younger applicants prioritized.
Several government ministries and public companies will coordinate community work, but participation will not create employment contracts. Participants who fail to complete their assigned tasks, provide false information, or engage in misconduct will be removed from the program and required to return any unearned funds.
