Significant attention has been paid to the well-being of young people in CARICOM, with numerous studies, policies, and programmes dedicated to optimising their growth and development potential. With citizens under the age of 30 years representing approximately 60 percent of the population (CCYD, 2010), priority attention has been placed on this critical demographic within CARICOM.

The foundation of current actions in youth development  has been built on several policy frameworks, including the 2006 mandate of CARICOM Heads of Government for the establishment of a Commission on Youth Development to “undertake a full-scale analysis of the challenges and opportunities for youth in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and to make recommendations to improve their well-being and empowerment.” The Commission, established in March 2007, conducted research leading to the Report entitled Eye on the Future: Investing in Youth Now for Tomorrow’s Community.

At a Special Summit on Youth Development held in Suriname in January 2010, CARICOM Heads of Government issued the Declaration of Paramaribo on the Future of Youth in the Caribbean Community, endorsing the recommendations of the Commission’s Report. The Declaration affirmed the belief that the creativity, energy, and assets of young people are essential for societal change, technological innovation, and development, making them invaluable partners in development.

To operationalise these recommendations, the Secretariat coordinated a regional consultative process to develop the CARICOM Youth Development Action Plan (CYDAP), endorsed by COHSOD XXIII in July 2012. CYDAP supports youth development through

• Education and Economic Empowerment
• Protection, Safety, and Security
• Health and Well-being
• Culture, Identity, and Citizenship
• Policy and Institutional Framework
• Leadership, Participation, and Governance

A research report on a Regional Youth Development Status Survey, conducted ten years after CYDAP’s establishment, was released in 2025 on progress of youth development and informed efforts to align the CYDAP with current realities and challenging facing young people.

Other key instruments of youth development in CARICOM include:

CARICOM Youth Ambassadors Programme (CYAP)
Established in 1993, CYAP is a flagship initiative that engages young leaders as advocates for regional integration and youth development. Youth Ambassadors serve as liaisons between CARICOM and national youth constituencies, promoting awareness of issues such as CSME, climate change, health, and human rights. Recent initiatives include training Ambassadors to lead projects on climate resilience and health advocacy, supported by partnerships with PAHO, CARPHA, CCCCC, and UWI.

CARICOM Youth Council (CYC)
The CYC, launched in 2015, is the official regional youth governance and advocacy body. It represents youth organizations across Member States, ensuring structured participation in decision-making processes. The Council works closely with CARICOM institutions to influence policy, monitor implementation of youth-related frameworks, and strengthen youth leadership and civic engagement.

CARICOM Young Professionals Programme (CYPP)
Implemented in 2025, CYPP offers intensive training on the CSME and regional integration processes. Through the CYPP, young professionals from across the Community are empowered to educate peers and advocate for greater youth participation in CSME implementation, bridging knowledge gaps and fostering leadership. The CARICOM Young Professionals Network (CYPN) was formally launched at the conclusion of the CARICOM Young Professionals Programme (CYPP) as a strategic platform to sustain momentum, deepen collaboration, and harness the collective expertise of CYPP alumni. Building on the knowledge, skills, and regional perspectives developed during the Programme, the CYPN will serve as a structured mechanism for continued engagement, peer collaboration, and contribution to CARICOM’s regional integration agenda. Its purpose is to facilitate coordinated action, knowledge-sharing, and professional networking among young professionals, while supporting the implementation of regional priorities, strengthening institutional linkages, and amplifying youth-driven solutions across the Caribbean Community.