EU funds international project empowering teenagers from four global cities to lead health and community well-being interventions
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
The YoPA Project (Youth-Centred Participatory Action) is an international initiative funded by the European Union, focused on promoting health and well-being among young people aged 12 to 18, with particular attention to vulnerable populations. Implemented in Aalborg (Denmark), Amsterdam (Netherlands), Osogbo (Nigeria), and Soweto (South Africa), the project adopts a participatory approach that places teenagers at the centre of the process as co-researchers and leaders of the interventions.
YoPA aims to reduce health inequalities and tackle physical inactivity by encouraging young people to identify local challenges and develop tailored solutions applicable to their communities. The interventions include inclusive urban design, the creation of public spaces that promote physical activity, and the development of health policies adapted to local needs. In parallel, the project seeks to empower young people to become agents of change, fostering sustainable impact and collective well-being.
Lusófona University plays a central role in the scientific and operational development of YoPA. António Palmeira, an expert in health and physical activity, leads the team as Principal Investigator. Marlene Nunes da Silva, with extensive experience in promoting physical activity and community intervention, serves as Co-Principal Investigator. Célia Maria Silvério Quico, a researcher in participatory media and innovation, contributes to the project’s dissemination and impact. Maria Fernanda Santos Souza, Research Assistant, supports the scientific and operational activities of YoPA.
Starting in 2023 and scheduled to end in 2027, the project presents an innovative model to promote inclusive and effective solutions that amplify young people's voices, creating a positive impact both in the involved cities and globally.
For more information, please visit the YoPA Project (Youth-Centred Participatory Action) website.
Production
Ana Azevedo
Interview
Moisés Silva and Catarina Castanheira
Images
Cristo Chikale
News
Catarina Castanheira
