While governments see alarming figures of youth poverty, Fundación Paraguaya invests in the potential of families by providing them with tools and solutions to overcome poverty. Through the Poverty Stoplight and educational programs, it has already impacted nearly 200,000 young people, equipping them with the resources needed to break free from poverty. Additionally, more than 15,500 vulnerable youth are actively working to improve their quality of life, and this year, the goal is to reach 100,000 families. Fundación Paraguaya does not merely measure poverty—it transforms it.
According to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), more than 20% of young people in Paraguay live in poverty. Data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) further reveals that 4.5% of Paraguayan youth are in extreme poverty—meaning over 66,800 people cannot afford basic food expenses. In response to this reality, Fundación Paraguaya takes concrete action to transform lives and provide real opportunities for growth. Through the Poverty Stoplight and educational programs, the organization has already made an impact on nearly 200,000 young people across the country.
From measuring poverty to taking action
Through its work with these young individuals, Fundación Paraguaya has developed tailored solutions to improve their living conditions. Currently, 15,557 youth actively participate in the “Solution Bank” to address multidimensional poverty indicators. These solutions include courses on saving money, budgeting, sales and digital marketing, and acquiring micro-franchises—turnkey small businesses that enable entrepreneurship and income generation, among other initiatives. This year, the organization aims to implement over 100,000 Stoplights, empowering 100,000 families to self-assess and work with guidance, training, and incentives to “green” (improve) their negative multidimensional poverty indicators.
Stories that inspire
One of the many brave and entrepreneurial women, Dámaris Maciel, recently won the “My Story with Fundación Paraguaya” contest, where she shared how she overcame obstacles and found the motivation she needed to improve her life with the foundation’s support.
“Fundación Paraguaya taught me that I was not alone and that, with the right tools, we can grow. Thanks to the foundation’s microloans, I was able to equip my burger stand, and through the training programs, I learned how to manage my income. Not only did I improve my own life, but I also inspired other young people in my community,” she shared.
Real alternatives to escape poverty
Fundación Paraguaya promotes initiatives that transform the reality of young people. Through its Self-Sustaining Agricultural Schools, it trains over 190 rural youth each year in productive entrepreneurship, enabling them to become job creators in their communities.