The Government of Saint Lucia has launched national consultations on its $2.5 million Catalyst Project, an initiative aimed at reducing youth crime and violence by focusing on social programmes and community support.
Just weeks after Equity Minister Emma Hippolyte announced the project during the 2026-2027 Budget presentation, the Department of Equity, Social Justice, Gender and Older Persons launched a two-day stakeholder consultation on May 27, 2026. These consultations are part of a larger effort to plan how the Caribbean Development Bank-supported program will be carried out across the island.
“The Government recognises that sustainable crime reduction requires more than policing alone. We must invest in our people, strengthen our families, and create meaningful opportunities for our young people to thrive,” Minister Hippolyte stated.
The project aims to address the root causes of crime and antisocial behavior among young people by focusing on prevention, empowerment, and social change. It will offer youth reintegration, psychosocial support, family-strengthening programmes, after-school activities and targeted help for at-risk youth.
Dr Charmaine Hippolyte Emmanuel, Permanent Secretary in the Department of Equity, said the consultations are meant to involve a broad range of stakeholders in the decision-making process. Participants include government agency personnel, educators, social workers, civil society groups, youth workers and community leaders.
“This consultation is about bringing all key stakeholders to the table so that together we can design interventions that are inclusive, effective, and capable of making a real difference in the lives of vulnerable young people and families,” Dr Hippolyte Emmanuel explained.
Officials say working together is important to ensure the programme meets communities’ needs and provides practical solutions that last.
Director of Social Transformation Tanzia Toussaint described the initiative as a people-centred response to the challenges facing young people and families across the country.
“We seek to build stronger systems of support around young people and families while creating pathways for empowerment, inclusion, and positive community engagement,” Toussaint said.
The consultations also show the Government’s ongoing work to strengthen Saint Lucia’s social protection systems and build better support networks for vulnerable people.
We already know the causes of this deviant behavior executed by the young people. Enough research has documented the causes. I welcome this first phase. They youth need education and training to open possibilities. Provide income earning possibilities and safety net for lower income folks so that they don’t fall through the cracks.