National Youth Policy for Trinidad and Tobago 2020 - 2025.

The National Youth Policy lays down eight strategic priorities for the active engagement and empowerment of the diverse youth population as strategic partners in sustainable development. The timeframe of the policy is 5 years covering the period between 2020 and 2025. The policy adopts a human rights-based approach to youth development and is underpinned by the core principles of gender equality and equity, respect for diversity, social inclusion, youth heterogeneity and intersectionality as well as inclusive and active participation. It sets out guiding principles for the advancement of youth development agenda and the progress of nation’s youth.
This policy affirms the concept of youth development as a sustainable development imperative and integrates youth priorities across all development sectors. Youth economic participation and empowerment will be prioritized. The access to finance and business development services will be facilitated for all youth entrepreneurs. Youth-specific issues and indicators will be integrated into economic policy and strategies. Land ownership opportunities will be created for youth, especially for landless young people in rural communities. Young people will be engaged in the development of fit-for-purpose, short-term employment programmes, and decent work opportunities will be created. More youth-friendly public procurement policy and processes will be developed. Youth skills will be enhanced for inclusive economic growth. The employment opportunities provided by emerging green and blue economies will be optimized. More modern, youth-centric, and youth-responsive financial services and business support facilities will be established. All stakeholders will be engaged through multi-sectoral partnerships to promote training and capacity building campaigns which make digital technologies and programmes available to youth through schools, community groups, NGOs, and youth clubs. The development of socially conscious, culturally literate, and resilient young men and women will be promoted. Opportunities will be sought to train and engage young women and men in project management, social auditing and community need assessment techniques to facilitate their active participation in the planning and implementation of community-based development initiatives. Standards will be established for assessing youth inclusion and engagement in decision making processes. This policy promotes the leadership of young women and girls in decision-making.
Healthy life styles and youth wellbeing will be promoted. Initiatives and policies which encourage physical activity, nutrition and minimize risk factors related to youth obesity and diabetes, will be supported, such as imposing sugar taxes. Youth contribution to environmental sustainability, rural transformation, food security and in agricultural production will be enhanced. Young men and women will be engaged in the development of policies and strategies to address the impact of climate change and food insecurity. A national school-based ‘Home Garden” initiative will be established to encourage children and young people in primary and secondary schools to acquire knowledge and skills on new approaches and techniques in agriculture production. Rural youth will be provided with the skills and resources needed to flourish as both agriculture and non-agriculture-based entrepreneurs. Special incentives will be provided to accelerate young entrepreneurs' participation across the food production value chain. Employment opportunities will be generated in the blue economy and youth contribution to the sustainable use of marine resources will be enhanced. Youth issues and priorities will be integrated into rural development projects. Youth action on climate change and climate justice and disaster mitigation will be supported. The capacity of young people and youth-led organisations will be enhanced to take affirmative action on climate change and environmental sustainability. Youth-friendly livelihood support will be assisted in post-disaster environments and circumstances. Environmentally friendly policies and practices will be developed in the fields of energy efficiency, water security, plastic use, sustainable farming, and environmentally sustainable infrastructure. Youth participation in and contributions to sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem, will be promoted.