$75M for President’s Youth Advisory Council

The President’s Youth Advisory Council, launched in 2022, will be receiving $75 million this year to advance its work.

The 29-member council’s goal is to integrate youth perspectives into national governance, policy-making, and development initiatives.

Of the $75 million, some $13.9 million will go towards the payment of stipends; each council member receives $20,000 per month.

Additionally, there are two permanent staff attached to the council who receive salaries based on the public service scale.

These were disclosed by Minister of Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Gail Teixeira on Monday during the Consideration of the Budget Estimates.

Under questioning from Opposition Members of Parliament (MP) Ganesh Mahipaul, Sherod Duncan and Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, Teixeira revealed some of the accomplishments of the council last year.

For instance, she said they were involved in an initiative that saw some schools receiving grants to boost their agriculture learning experience, at a sum of $2.5 million.

“Their focus has been on institutional building of the council, policy engagement and national consultations,” Teixeira noted.

“The focus is on partnerships and volunteerism…They have held their youth consultations with various organisations across multiple regions,” she added, noting that advice has been submitted to the president.

Moreover, she said the council has been involved in projects such as healthy lifestyle campaigns in schools, reading and math programmes, and mental health initiatives.

Last year, the council received $75 million but only some $20 million was spent. Teixeira noted that the council managed to save owing to not having to rent venues to facilitate certain consultation sessions.

This year, the minister noted that countrywide consultations will continue. The council will also engage in virtual academic lessons, digital youth engagement platform, the development of a youth cloud database, and training workshops for young people.