Young people are calling for greater involvement in shaping regional policies and programmes, according to findings from the 2026 CARICOM Regional Youth Survey.
The survey attracted responses from more than 550 young people across the Community and revealed strong support for mechanisms that give youth a more meaningful role in regional governance and development.
“The findings will help inform ongoing efforts to strengthen youth engagement within CARICOM and ensure that regional policies and programmes are shaped by the voices, experiences, and priorities of young people,” stated CARICOM Secretariat Youth Development Programme Manager, Michele Small-Bartley.
In addition, the findings will inform discussions at the upcoming Meeting of Senior Officials and Regional Youth Dialogue on Youth Development, scheduled for 4 November 2026 at the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus in Antigua and Barbuda.
An overwhelming 95% of respondents said a regional youth governance structure is important, while 92% supported developing a CARICOM Youth Development Index. Respondents said these initiatives could strengthen youth representation, improve decision-making, and ensure policies better reflect the realities of young people.
The findings suggest that CARICOM youth want to move beyond being consulted and become active partners in decision-making. Young people expressed a desire to help identify priorities, contribute to programme design, and participate more directly in shaping solutions to regional challenges.
The survey also highlighted significant barriers to participation.
Seven in ten respondents cited a lack of information as a major obstacle to engagement, while 67% said they are often unaware of available opportunities. Notably, only 17% described information on youth policies and opportunities as very accessible.
Respondents identified training and capacity-building opportunities (80%), increased funding for youth-led organisations (51%), and mentorship from leaders and decision-makers (42%) as key measures to strengthen youth engagement.
The survey further found concerns about inclusivity, with respondents identifying youth with disabilities, rural and remote youth, and out-of-school youth as groups most likely to be excluded from participation opportunities.
Please view highlights from the survey here: https://caricom.org/documents/caricom-regional-youth-survey-2026/
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Youth want more than a voice. They want a role in decision-making, CARICOM survey finds.