Locations“Community-driven initiative provides safe space for youth, women, and families to foster peace, unity, and resilience in Suco Vila Verde”
Strengthening Social Cohesion: UNDP Inaugurates Rehabilitated Futsal Field in Villa Verde
October 2, 2025
UNDP Resident Representative Katyna Argueta joins the Minister of Interior and Suco Vila Verde community in the ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially inaugurate the rehabilitated multifunction court.
Julio Guterres/ UNDP Timor-Leste
Dili, 26 September 2025 - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Timor-Leste, Ms. Katyna Argueta, inaugurated the rehabilitated multi-function futsal court in Suco Villa Verde, Dili. The initiative, under the UNDP Social Cohesion Project, provides a safe and inclusive space to strengthen community engagement, youth empowerment, and peaceful coexistence.
The new court offers Villa Verde residents - particularly youth and women - a place for sports, cultural activities, and community gatherings.
Chief of Suco Vila Verde, Mr. Abdul Mancoli Aranhado, delivers his remarks highlighting the importance of the rehabilitated multifunction court for youth and community cohesion.
Julio Guterres/ UNDP Timor-Leste
“We appreciate UNDP’s support in providing this space for our youth,” said Mr. Abdul Mancoli Aranhado, Chief of Suco Vila Verde. “It will not only encourage healthy activities but also help reduce conflict and build stronger social ties in Vila Verde.”
The rehabilitation builds on broader Social Cohesion Project interventions in Vila Verde, including community policing, livelihood support, and capacity-building activities delivered with HADEZTA and AJAR. These engaged young people alongside institutions such as the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ), the National Directorate for Community Conflict Prevention (DNPCC) of the Ministry of Interior, local authorities, and community police. Together, these efforts also led to the construction of the Villa Verde Multipurpose Community Hall, creating complementary space for learning and dialogue.
UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Katyna Argueta joins local children at the newly rehabilitated multifunction court, where the kids joyfully express their happiness with the new space they can now safely enjoy.
Julio Guterres/ UNDP Timor-Leste
Highlighting this broader vision, UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Katyna Argueta noted: “This space stands as a testament to what can be achieved when communities, government institutions, and partners come together with a shared vision for peace, resilience, and inclusion. More than just a sports facility, this court represents our joint commitment to promoting social cohesion, strengthening community bonds, and investing in the power of youth to drive positive change.”
H.E. Minister of Interior, Mr. Francisco da Costa Guterres, delivers his intervention during the inauguration, emphasizing not only the importance of the rehabilitated multifunction court but also the Government’s broader programme to promote peacebuilding, strengthen community policing services, and advance social cohesion across Timor-Leste.
Julio Guterres/ UNDP Timor-Leste
Closing the ceremony, His Excellency Mr. Francisco da Costa Guterres, Minister of Interior, emphasized its replicability: “The Vila Verde futsal field is not only a place for sports and community activities, but also a model for inclusive development. It demonstrates how infrastructure can prevent conflict, build unity, and empower youth. We intend to replicate this positive experience in other municipalities, including Baucau and Viqueque, so that more communities can benefit from safe and inclusive spaces that foster peace and resilience.”
Following the official inauguration, the event also became an opportunity for dialogue with the community, particularly on the theme of social cohesion in Suco Vila Verde. Community members shared their feedback and aspirations for building peace and resilience.
Youth representative Nerciana Gonzalves speaks during the community dialogue session, voicing the aspirations of young people in Suco Vila Verde and calling for continued support to strengthen peace, guidance, and social cohesion.
Julio Guterres/ UNDP Timor-Leste
Youth representative Nerciana Gonzalves, speaking on behalf of young women from Suco Vila Verde, stated: “First of all, we thank UNDP for rehabilitating this field, which can also serve as a place to promote friendly games where we, as young people, can come together to build peace. I am here representing all youth, and I want to express our aspirations - asking UNDP and the Ministry of Interior to continue supporting and guiding us to move away from conflict. We also ask for guidance to help us use our abilities and strengths to further promote social cohesion in our community and in Suco Vila Verde.”
The event gathered representatives from the Ministry of Interior, the Dili Municipal Authority, Vera Cruz Post Administration, Suco Villa Verde leadership, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Art and Culture, the Secretary of State for Cooperative, g7+, PNTL, PDHJ, civil society partners AJAR and HADEZTA, and community members – especially youth from Vila Verde.
UNDP Resident Representative Katyna Argueta joins H.E. Minister of Interior, local authorities, and community members of Suco Vila Verde for a group photo at the newly rehabilitated multifunction court, celebrating its inauguration as a shared space for peace, unity, and community engagement.
Julio Guterres/ UNDP Timor-Leste
About the UNDP Social Cohesion Project
The Social Cohesion Project promotes inclusive development and resilience in Timor-Leste by strengthening community policing, supporting livelihoods, and creating safe spaces for dialogue, sports, and learning. The Vila Verde futsal court stands as a flagship model for replication nationwide.
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