![The colorful graphic presents evidence-based recommendations from the Gender and Youth Activity (GAYA) for integrating gender and youth perspectives. These recommendations aim to inform GAYA's intervention design and improve the understanding of implementing partners' needs and strengths. The recommendations include enlisting senior management and technical sector leads as champions, incorporating gender and youth competencies, collaborating across partners, utilizing social behavior change approaches.](/sites/default/files/styles/2_card_640x715_/public/2023-05/Evidence-based_Recommendations_%20RESIZE%201.png?itok=FJqJN0EB)
GAYA
![Photo of six members of a family smiling](/sites/default/files/styles/hero_1200x620_/public/2022-03/MicrosoftTeams-image%20%284%294.png?itok=9wNIVd_f)
The Gender and Youth Activity (GAYA) works to improve the quality and impact of food security activities by addressing the barriers and challenges implementing partners face when integrating gender and youth within their activities. Understanding and meeting the unique and intersectional needs of women and youth, and addressing the root causes of the inequalities that affect them, are essential to achieve broad and equitable impacts in food and nutrition security.
GAYA supports partners implementing emergency response, early recovery, risk reduction, and resilience programs. GAYA is a five-year award (2021-2026) funded by USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) and issued through the IDEAL Leader with Associate Awards Activity. GAYA is implemented by Mercy Corps in collaboration with Save the Children.
![Members of a family pose for a photo.](/sites/default/files/2022-03/GAYA%20Page%20Image.png)
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GAYA uses a human-centered design approach to support emergency and non-emergency implementing partners through small grants, peer-to-peer Learning, and capacity strengthening. Watch this space for upcoming opportunities and more information.
Meet the Team
![Julie Koehler Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/people_200x200_/public/2022-03/JKheadshot.jpg?itok=a7Dwxzd8)
Julie Koehler
Program Director/Senior Gender and Youth Advisor
![Bethany Leech](/sites/default/files/styles/people_200x200_/public/2022-05/bethany%20leech%20HS.jpg?itok=7x8oxozt)
Bethany Leech
SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM LEAD ASSOCIATE
![Katie Pons Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/people_200x200_/public/2022-03/Katie%20Pons%20Headshot%203.jpeg?itok=x45adw_J)
Katie Pons
Knowledge, Learning, and Communications Advisor
![Hope Schaitkin Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/people_200x200_/public/2022-03/Hope.jpg?itok=HEmuQz4F)
Hope Schaitkin
Technical Officer, Research and Learning
![Beatrice Scheuermann Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/people_200x200_/public/2022-03/Scheuermann_Head%20shot.jpg?itok=7GtVFEYD)
Beatrice Scheuermann
SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM ADVISOR
![Savannah Smith Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/people_200x200_/public/2023-06/Savannah%20headshot%20%281%29.jpg?itok=TS-X188x)
Savannah Smith
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning & Communications Coordinator
![Emily Teerink Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/people_200x200_/public/2022-04/Headshot%20Emily%20Teerink.jpg?itok=OTqEDQc1)
Emily Teerink
Program Officer