The community of Mount Salem in Montego Bay is set to become the epicentre of a youth-driven social change initiative, powered by micro-grant funding from the Council of Voluntary Social Services (CVSS).

The micro-grants represent a component of the 30-month intervention funded by the European Union (EU) to strengthen Civil Society Organisations as actors of governance and development. 

Spearheaded by local organisation, the Family and Parenting Centre and supported by the CVSS, the programme aims to engage youth aged 14 to 18 in addressing pressing social issues through the innovative use of social media.

Dr Beverley Scott, executive director of Family and Parenting Centre highlighted the critical need for such an initiative, stating, “The youth have a number of issues—crime, violence, and other challenges in their communities. By providing a platform for their voices to be heard, we can empower them to drive positive development.”

The programme’s strategy focuses on mobilizing young people to raise awareness and advocate for change. Participants will leverage social media to amplify their concerns, foster discussions with key stakeholders such as politicians and media representatives, and build advocacy groups that champion their causes.

Dr Scott emphasised the global reach of the initiative, saying, “Social media is worldwide. Once you’re on it, you can connect with people far and wide to gain support. We want to activate their concerns and generate awareness not only locally but nationally and even internationally.”

The project, which runs for six months starting this January, has already commenced its groundwork. Meetings with community development committees and school-based clubs are underway to solidify partnerships and set the stage for action.

The initiative is also designed to be a catalyst for sustainable change. “We want this to spread from Mount Salem to other communities, parishes, and eventually across the nation,” Dr Scott explained. “By the end of the project, we hope the group’s positive social media contributions will be well-known.”

When asked about the timeliness of the EU grant, Dr Scott noted its critical alignment with current societal needs. “Given what’s happening in communities and the popularity of social media, this support is very timely and impactful,” she said.

The initiative not only seeks to address social issues but also aims to redirect the energy of youth often associated with negative uses of technology. “Youth love their smartphones. Many use them to make trouble. We want to guide them to use these tools for advocacy and social change,” Dr Scott added.

As the programme gains momentum, Dr Scott is hopeful that it will serve as a model for empowering young people to be proactive agents of change. “Through their voices, advocacy, and social media influence, Mount Salem’s youth are poised to inspire a ripple effect of transformation across Jamaica,” she noted.

The European Union said that it is proud to support this initiative, which underscores the vital role of civil society organisations in shaping Jamaica’s sustainable development.

“The EU continues to provide consistent support to local stakeholders to underscore its belief in the vital role that civil society organisations play in shaping global and Jamaica’s sustainable development aspirations,” it said in a statement.