The BYDC provides greater emphasis towards dynamic youth advocacy and development. The needs, opinions, and aspirations of young Barbadians are seen as key in policy decisions and national development. The BYDC serves as an umbrella agency for youth organizations across the island.

Member organization types include but are not limited to, sport, cultural and visual arts, religious, political, educational, environmental, community developmental and minority groups within society.

The council is a dynamic youth-led organization which advocates for, addresses the needs of and facilitates the development of youth by harnessing their talents, creating empowering programmes and establishing strategic alliances with government, civil society, and the private sector. At the core of our vision and mission is a commitment to service integrity, youth empowerment and professionalism.

Our Objectives

The Barbados Youth Development Council shall strive to:

• Unite all young people by promoting collaboration among young people and working in partnership with state and non-state actors.
• Empower the young people of Barbados, without distinction of race, ethnic origin, caste, colour, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, special needs, socio-economic status, marital status, language, religious belief, or political opinion.
• Promote the implementation of youth mainstreaming as a multi-sectoral approach to youth development.
• Stand as a national platform that supports and advocates for an enabling environment that facilitates the active participation and influence of young people in decision-making processes, and the consideration of youth-specific needs in all policy areas.
• Assist in the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of government policy regarding youth.
• Promote social cohesiveness, volunteerism, national consciousness, and patriotism among youth.
• Encourage and foster positive values among youth and youth organisations.
• Strengthen and organize youth networks and improve the sustainability of youth organizations.
• Promote active youth participation in the economic, social, political, educational, and cultural progress of Barbados.
• Encourage the exchange of ideas and improve the relationships with other groups, clubs, organisations, associations, or institutions locally, regionally, and internationally.

Our Projects and Events

The council has facilitated the execution of several projects and events such as:

• Multifaith Services – To embrace inclusive religious observance to mark significant days like International Youth Day and Caribbean Youth Day, recognizing the diverse nature of Barbadian youth and the multi-ethnic backgrounds of society.
• Hues of Youth Showcase – Given that young people across Barbados continue to excel as entrepreneurs, creatives and agents of change, this showcase provides a platform for young Barbadians to showcase their products, services, skills, and advocacy in a safe space by young people, for young people.

Current Initiatives

Further, few of the current initiatives include the development and execution of:

• Barbados Youth Advocates – The program focuses on building a platform for youth leadership rooted in personal and professional development as well as service and nation building. It further seeks to develop a cadre of young Barbadians trained and certified as peer mentors and provide young Barbadians with personal and professional development.
• Youth Action Think Tank – Young people across Barbados remain an underutilized group and the Council aims not only to amplify their voices but to also unlock and promote their agency by creating a space for young Barbadians to conceptualize, implement and monitor projects and programs for young people by young people.