The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has launched a five-year project that will engage over 5,000 youth in the parishes of Kingston and St Andrew, St Catherine, Clarendon, St James, Hanover, and Westmoreland.

Dubbed Youth Empower, the initiative will be executed over five years with the objective being to increase the resilience of youth in Jamaica as they participate in the social and economic life of their communities. 

USAID has earmarked US$3 million in seed funding to facilitate activities under the project. Areas of focus are culture, arts and natural resources that can be leveraged for positive youth development and stronger stakeholder contributions.

At the launch on Thursday (September 12), at Serengeti, Hope Zoo, in St Andrew, state minister in the Ministry of National Security Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, said the initiative will support more than 10 of the country’s most at-risk communities. As such, the programme will provide vital resources that will foster youth development and, in the long run, reduce violence and encourage sustainable livelihoods.

“This initiative is a testament to the transformative power of collaboration. It also aligns with the mandate of the Ministry of National Security as we continue to address the underlying issues that lead to crime and violence among our youth. I extend my usual support and heartfelt gratitude to USAID as well as the EDC (Education Development Centre) for their keen attention and commitment to our young people and their communities,” she added.

Key components of the programme include mentorship and coaching, with the core activities surrounding youth in climate change mitigation and entrepreneurship activities.

President and Chief Executive Officer of EDC Siobhan Murphy said these are critical to engaging youth in issues affecting the society and empowering them to be change agents.

“In service to the USAID Youth Empowerment activity, we will prioritise entrepreneurial innovations and work-based learning opportunities that excite and energise youth within their communities and across the island, while also sustaining Jamaica’s rich biodiversity and cultural heritage,” she explained.

Murphy added that the initiative aims to strengthen safe, enabling environments for young people aged 15 to 29, in particular, adolescent boys and girls, and young men and women.

“We want these youth to have the foundational skills necessary to engage in the positive social and economic transformation of youth spaces. We want them to be recognised and heard in the important conversations and decision-making of their communities, as well as to be able to access and participate in meaningful work opportunities,” she said.

Counsellor, USAID, Clinton White, said activities under the programme will also centre on youth civic education and participation that encourages them to contribute to the development of their communities and the country.

“This project will work with young people, government partners, civil society, the private sector, and many others to support youth crime and violence-reduction efforts in Jamaica and build up prior youth programmes in the country.  The Empower project will build on good practices identified through these programmes to engage youth, youth-led and youth-serving organisations, families, communities and public/private-sector partners to establish strong youth-centric interventions and engagements,” he underscored. The programme is being executed by the EDC, in partnership with the USAID and the Government of Jamaica.