WUSC Caribbean - ENGAGE Youth

ENGAGE Youth

Empowering the Next Generation in Guyana’s Hinterland

ENGAGE Youth supports Indigenous and rural youth in Guyana’s hinterland, especially young women, to build skills, improve their livelihoods, and take part in decisions in their communities.

HOW TO JOIN

1. Ask your Village Council / Toshao’s office where and when the next session is happening.
2. Look out for announcements in your community (school, community centre, Village Council, youth leaders).
3. Tell someone you want to join—or message the ENGAGE Youth team directly.

What is ENGAGE Youth?

ENGAGE Youth (Empowering the Next Generation: Agency and Gender Equality) is a five-year project led by the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) in Regions 1, 7, 8 and 9 in Guyana’s hinterland.

It is funded by Global Affairs Canada and focuses on Indigenous and rural youth, especially young women. The project supports young people to build skills, make informed decisions, and find better livelihood opportunities. It also works with families, communities, and other stakeholders so they can better support youth, promote gender equality, and develop climate-resilient, youth-sensitive livelihood programs.

Highights

Timeline: 2022–2027 (5 years)
Where: Regions 1, 7, 8, and 9 (Indigenous and rural hinterland communities)
Who we support most: Indigenous and rural youth, especially young women
Project value: CAD 9.18 million
Reach: Over 6,400 direct participants, with broader indirect community reach

Our Themes
ENGAGE Youth’s work is organized around four interconnected Themes. Together, these Themes support youth empowerment, gender equality, sustainable livelihoods, and Indigenous-led development.

Youth Agency and Informed Decision-Making

We increase the capacity of Indigenous and rural youth, especially young women, to make informed decisions about socio-cultural and economic issues and to take part in personal, household, and community decision-making.

Gender Equality and Inclusive Participation

We promote gender equality through gender-responsive and gender-transformative activities that create safe and inclusive spaces where young women and marginalized youth can participate and lead.

Youth Livelihoods and Climate-Resilient Economic Initiatives

We support the livelihoods and wellbeing of Indigenous and rural youth through gender- and youth-sensitive livelihood programs and climate-resilient economic initiatives for Indigenous youth, especially women.

Community Support, Partnerships and Indigenous-led Development

We work with Indigenous leaders, organizations and other stakeholders to improve community support for youth participation and to develop sustainable gender- and youth-sensitive community development and livelihood programs that are Indigenous-led and youth-sensitive.

Get Involved and View Resources

For Youth (especially young women)

Build confidence and agency, learn practical life skills, connect with opportunities, and take part in decisions that shape your future.

For community leaders & Indigenous-led / serving organizations

Partner with ENGAGE Youth to strengthen youth participation, support safe and inclusive spaces, and support youth livelihoods grounded in community priorities and Indigenous-led development.

For government ministries & local authorities

Collaborate to strengthen enabling environments for Indigenous and rural youth—especially young women—by supporting youth participation, referral pathways, skills development, and community-supported youth economic initiatives.

Donors, partners & supporters

Support evidence-informed, community-rooted programming across youth agency, gender equality, climate-resilient livelihoods, and partnerships.

Contact

World University Service of Canada (WUSC)
ENGAGE Youth Project — Guyana

Lot 32 Area ‘C’, Belvoir Court
Bel Air, Georgetown, Guyana

Phone: (592) 510-9953
Email: engageyouthproject.gy@wusc.ca

Funding

ENGAGE Youth is implemented by World University Service of Canada (WUSC) with funding support from Global Affairs Canada (GAC).