Strengthen Youth Participation (JM0014)

What is the public problem that the commitment will address?

The Youth population of Jamaica comprises approximately 28 per cent of the country’s overall population, based on the Commonwealth’s definition for youth as being from 15 to 29 years. It may also be noted that the United Nations, for statistical purposes, defines youth as those persons between the ages of 15 and 24 years. However, the Situational Analysis for Jamaica’s National Youth Policy notes that young people are under-represented in processes of national political and policy engagement and public administration. Youth also have limited awareness and engagement in critical areas of nation building such as governance, culture and the environment. The National Youth Policy recognizes the need for greater youth engagement and youth participation through the creation or expansion of platforms for them to assert their ideas or recommendations and to be involved in processes of national and community development.

What is the commitment?

To strengthen youth participation and access to services in Jamaica through key actions in the Implementation Plan for the National Youth Policy.

How will the commitment contribute to solving the public problem?

The Implementation Plan for the Revised National Youth Policy (2017-2030) will provide the basis for the realization of the Vision, Guiding Principles, Goals, Objectives and Strategies for Youth advancement, development and participation in Jamaica. The key actions included in the OGP Youth commitment will increase Youth participation and access to services, including through: Completion of the Implementation Plan and Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the National Youth Policy; launch of new website for the Youth and Adolescents Policy Division, including establishment of the National Youth Programmatic Inventory online directory; and undertaking programme for at-risk and unattached youth through the network of Youth Innovation Centres (YICs).

Why is this commitment relevant to OGP values?

The strengthening of youth participation and access to services in Jamaica is relevant to the following OGP values: 1. Access to Information: The National Youth Programmatic Inventory survey and online directory will significantly improve the provision of information on youth programmes and services in Jamaica. 2. Civic Participation: The development of the Implementation Plan for the National Youth Policy will include stakeholder consultation including with youth stakeholders. The National Youth Programmatic Inventory online directory will improve the opportunities for youth to participate in youth programmes and services in Jamaica. 3. Public Accountability: The completion of the Implementation Plan and monitoring and evaluation framework for the National Youth Policy will enable more effective monitoring of performance of youth projects and programmes. 4. Technology and Innovation for Openness and Accountability: The new website for the Youth and Adolescents Policy Division and the National Youth Programmatic Inventory online directory will deploy technology to increase the provision of information on and access to youth programmes and services in Jamaica.

Additional information

The strengthening of youth participation and access to services in Jamaica is aligned with: • The Revised National Youth Policy (2017-2030) • Vision 2030 Jamaica National Development Plan – National Outcome No. 1 A Healthy and Stable Population, including National Strategy 1-1 Maintain a Stable Population; National Outcome No. 2 World-Class Education and Training, including National Strategy 2-8 Expand Mechanisms to Provide Access to Education and Training for All including Unattached Youth • Medium Term Socio-Economic Policy Framework (MTF) for the relevant three-year period • Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, and SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals; Youth is also seen as playing a cross-cutting role, contributing towards the achievement of all seventeen SDGs

Milestone Activity with a Verifiable Deliverable | Start Date | End Date
Complete Implementation Plan and Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the National Youth Policy | June 2024 | June 2025
Complete development and launch of new website for the Youth and Adolescents Policy Division | June 2024 | November 2024
Complete and publish Gap Analysis and Recommendations Report for National Youth Programmatic Inventory | September 2024 | March 2025
Establish National Youth Programmatic Inventory online directory based on results of survey and Gap Analysis and Recommendations Report, with mechanisms for ongoing updating and maintenance | October 2024 | December 2024
Undertake programme for at-risk and unattached youth through network of Youth Innovation Centres (YICs) | June 2024 | June 2026