The Caribbean Regional Youth Council (CRYC) since its inception, has invested in building the capacity of youth, and youth structures as a strategy to ensure sustainable development through our Capacity Building and Development Training. The Council conducts regular training on areas of personal and professional development areas. Some areas of training over the years include but are not limited to the Creative Academy, Policy and Advocacy for a Sustainable Caribbean, Youth Entrepreneurship Programme, etc.
Programmes & Services
The Caribbean Youth Leaders’ Summit (CYLS) is the flagship Programme of the Caribbean Regional Youth Council (CRYC). CYLS as its aptly known is the premier transformational youth leadership development event within the Caribbean region held in commemoration of Caribbean Youth Day.
The summit provides a unique opportunity for students, young leaders, youth development practitioners, workers, academics, and policymakers to explore, and connect to provide support to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Goals (SDGs) as we continue to seek out ways to build back better in a post-COVID-19 world.
The key feature of the Summit provides unique opportunities for engagement through:
- The Youth Leaders’ Forum
- The Stakeholders’ Forum
Since its initial staging in 2011, CYLS has since convened for the following (7) Editions in the following countries across the Caribbean Region: –
- 2011 Bridgetown, Barbados
- 2012 Kingston, Jamaica
- 2013 Gros Islet, St Lucia
- 2016 Belize
- 2017 St Ann’s, Jamaica
- 2020 Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
- 2022 Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago
Fun Fact: The Caribbean Regional Youth Council was established in 2013 as a result of the outcome of (3) Caribbean Youth Leaders’ Summit held over the period 2011-2013. History was made at the 3rd Caribbean Youth Leaders’ Summit held from December 4-6, 2013, in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia as the first ever executive of the newly constituted Caribbean Regional Youth Council (CRYC) was elected.
The 35 under 35 Caribbean is an annual program of the Caribbean Regional Youth Council which seeks to identify and promote 35 young game-changers and youth development influencers under the age of 35 from across the Caribbean Region. These 35 selected young persons will use be chosen to use their stories and experiences to motivate, mentor, and empower the next generation of young change-makers across the Caribbean Region.
35 under 35 creates opportunities for our youths of the Caribbean Region to engage with “game-changers” of today who are established entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, student leaders, etc. towards improving their outlook on life and securing a brighter future #35Under35
This interactive platform seeks to provide a medium through which young adults are connected and have the opportunity to interact with young trailblazers and entrepreneurs who are under the age of 35 and serve as Youth Development Influencers in the fields of business development, entertainment, sport, and more from across the Caribbean region.
The Caribbean Youth Awards is an annual flagship Programme of the Caribbean Regional Youth Council (CRYC) established in 2022 to commemorate Caribbean Youth Day to recognize youth excellence in the Caribbean Region. The awards are a celebration and validation of the outstanding contributions made by young men and women of the Caribbean. The Caribbean Youth Awards aims to recognize exemplary youth achievement in various spheres while motivating others to strive for excellence. It underscores the commitment of the Caribbean Regional Youth Council (CRYC) towards youth development and empowerment. The CRYC acknowledges that the contributions made by the youth of the Caribbean should not go unnoticed and wishes to highlight these contributions as a means of positive reinforcement and reiteration of the CRYC investment in advancing their personal and professional development.
Here, we’re not just dreaming of crystal-clear skies and lush landscapes – we’re actively crafting a future where sustainable energy isn’t just an ideal, it’s our reality. Youth IRIE is where your passion for our planet transforms into action, where your ideas spark change, and where your voice amplifies the call for a sustainable tomorrow.
Join a movement where the vibrant cultures of the Caribbean unite to champion the energy transition. Be a part of crafting innovative solutions that respect our blue oceans and green earth. With Youth IRIE, you’re not just witnessing history – you’re writing it.
Whether you’re here to learn, lead, or create a legacy, there’s a place for you under the sun. So, dive in, the waters of opportunity are warm, and the winds of change are blowing in your favor.
Get Involved. Be heard. Be IRIE. Join us today, and let’s energize our future, together!
Our Vision
Youth IRIE envisions a Caribbean powered by the dynamic energy of its youth, where their passion fuels innovation and creativity and accelerates our transition to a clean energy era.
Youth IRIE embodies the vibrant spirit and resilience of Caribbean youth, dedicated to pioneering a sustainable future through the power of renewable energy that is available to all.
Our goal is to galvanize young voices and minds in creating equitable, innovative, and environmentally sound pathways for our communities. We commit to driving the energy transition and advocating for blue and green economic models that honor our unique island heritage while fostering inclusion, fairness, and opportunity for all.
United in our purpose and commitment, we are the catalysts for a brighter, greener Caribbean, where every young person is empowered to make a difference and where the rhythm of progress resonates with the harmonies of our IRIE ethos.
For more info. on Youth IRIE visit wwww.youthirie.org
The Regional Climate Justice Parliament is an annual initiative of the Caribbean Regional Youth Council in collaboration with the Caribbean Climate Justice Project and SOLICORON. The Regional Climate Justice Parliament allows young persons from across the Caribbean to engage in parliament debate simulation on areas of Climate Justice and building a climate-resilient Caribbean.
Post-debate on the resolution, the Youth Parliamentarians not only work towards championing the Climate Agenda through actioning community-based initiatives within their respective countries and spaces but further continue as part of a powerful network of Climate Justice Ambassadors.
This project forms an integral part of YOUTH IRIE and will be convened annually. For more info on Youth IRIE visit the website www.youthirie.org.
The She Leads Caribbean is a women’s leadership incubator Programme of the Caribbean Regional Youth Council. She Leads ” aims to empower young women who are passionate about politics and leadership, through education, mentorship, and development.
The She Leads Caribbean is structured to provide an opportunity for young females to deepen their understanding of parliamentary democracy while developing skills in research, policy formulation and analysis advocacy, public speaking, and communication.
The My Caribbean, My Country, My Community, My Space campaign seeks to promote community action as the key to long-term environmental change. This campaign aims to inspire and empower communities and to clean up, fix up, and conserve their local environment.
The campaign strives to bring together the region, in-country stakeholders, community groups, businesses, government agencies, and schools in a range of activities that positively improve local environments.
Objectives:
- To increase awareness of environmental issues amongst young people within the Caribbean Region.
- To encourage young people to “adopt” a space within their community and ensure that it is cleaned and protected on a continuous basis.
- To empower youth groups within communities throughout the Caribbean to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development
- To promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues
- To encourage young Caribbean citizens to take collective responsibility for the protection of the environment and be aware of their Carbon Footprint
CRYC Youth Services
CARIBBEAN E-YOUTH LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
The Caribbean Regional Youth Council Caribbean E Youth Leadership Academy is an innovative youth leadership hub geared towards providing fundamental training to build the next generation of ethical youth leaders between the ages of 16 and 35 to become game changers and positive contributors to their community, the region, and by extension the globe.
- Module 1: Approaches to Youth Development and Policy
- Module 2: Introduction to Strategic Leadership and Planning
- Module 3: Introduction to Theories in Human Development and Emotional Intelligence
- Module 4: Introduction to CIVIC Engagement, Advocacy and Volunteerism
- Module 5: Group Management, Conflict Management and Communication
- Module 6: Project Design, Implementation and Management
- Module 7: Building a Reputable Brand
SOCIAL ENTERRPRISE
At the Caribbean Regional Youth Council (CRYC), we believe that our youth are powerful agents of change. Since 2013 have enabled young persons between the ages of 10 and 35 from across the Caribbean to become leaders of change and do something about issues that they care about.
As a youth-centric regional strategic governance organization, we are authentic in our belief that young people can and do make great leaders. Young people are at the core of our work, leading, shaping, and driving our strategy, direction, vision, mission, and values.
The Caribbean Regional Youth Council (CRYC) launched a Social Enterprise in 2024. The social enterprise contributes to the Caribbean Regional Youth Council’s continued sustainability and vision of empowering young people to make social and political change. The social enterprise is supported through three streams of services; Training, Consultancy, and workshops. Through these services, any profits made will go towards supporting young people to get their voices heard on issues that matter to them the most.
Each year we listen to our Young People through various events, consultations, and our annual conference meeting, supporting them to create the change they would like to see in this world.
