Zonas J
Project theme: Speed reduction
BY MICHELLE GAIBOR
Zona J is a youth-led program that builds on the Champions for Road Safety project to empower communities to create safer urban and school environments. Developed by Fundación Movidana, it is implemented in 12 cities across Ecuador and uses tools like the Youth Engagement App (YEA) and mobility snapshots to diagnose road safety challenges.
Young leaders are trained to co-design interventions, engage local actors, and implement actions that reduce speed and reclaim public space. Contributing to SDGs 3, 4, and 11, Zona J promotes civic engagement, transforms public spaces, and drives long-term policy change for safer, more inclusive cities.
ABOUT THE PROJECT LEAD
MICHELLE GAIBOR
Michelle Gaibor was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, in 2000. She is a political scientist and project coordinator at Fundación Movidana. She specialises in road safety, youth leadership, and public policy and has been a regional leader for the Americas with the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety since 2022.
With the support of YOURS and GHAI, she developed the national program Champions for Road Safety, which empowers young leaders to advance road safety. She has contributed to policy development and community-based projects, strengthening local action and public space recovery.
Impact snapshots
Conducted data collection engaging students, teachers, and stakeholders.
Completed safety assessments and diagnostic reports for school communities.
Launched Zonas J Impacto 3S and expanded methodology to six cities.
