Linking capital assets to the understanding and adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals: Evidence from young farmers in the Ecuadorian Amazon

• Capital influences young farmers' understanding of the SDGs in the Amazon. • Education and associativity emerge as key drivers of commitment to the SDGs. • Valuing education among women does not raise knowledge about the SDGs. • Age and formal education increase awareness of the SDGs among young men. • The findings support education for multidimensional sustainability. Sustainability education is crucial for empowering young farmers to adopt environmentally responsible practices, yet it remains understudied due to limited resources, logistical challenges, and competing political priorities. This study addresses this gap by examining how different forms of capital shape young farmers’ understanding and adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Llanganates Sangay Ecological Corridor (LSEC) of the Ecuadorian Amazon. The specific objectives were to: i) identify socio-demographic characteristics within the dimensions of capital theory (human, social, physical, and financial), ii) assess SDG understanding and adoption, and iii) determine which characteristics influence these outcomes. Data from 110 young farmers were collected through surveys using cluster and snowball sampling schemes, which were adapted to the territorial complexity and educational levels. Fisher’s test, Chi-square test, Spearman’s correlation, and discriminant analysis were applied. Results revealed significant gender disparities in the perceived importance of education as a source of human capital, household access to roads, and specific financial indicators. Notably, 73.31 % of women valued education highly, and 64.55 % expressed stronger associative aspirations than men. However, no statistically significant differences emerged in overall SDG understanding and adoption. Engagement with the SDGs was positively associated with age, prior knowledge, awareness of target countries, and associative support. These findings highlight the role of socio-demographic factors and forms of capital in shaping young farmers’ engagement with the SDGs, providing evidence to inform targeted sustainability education and rural development policies.