Limited cash flows in the social services, non existent monitoring of youth development as well as the antithesis between state and community development have been insufficient in engaging youth in a participatory development process. The policy context of the research is informed by Jamaica’s National Youth Policy (2004) which addresses participation and empowerment of youth as well Jamaica’s Social Policy Evaluation Project experiment with pro-poor policy formation at the community level using the Youth Inclusion Prototype.

One objective of community development is the participation of young people in building communities and engaging in programmes of self–improvement (Girvan, 1938: 28). This is critical to sustainable development because transition to adult life reflects both individual and collective processes. A review of child and adolescent development theory reveals that providing opportunities for young people to be involved in leadership can offer great value for their own personal development and that of their communities. Poverty in Jamaica is prevalent among the young. This phenomenon has implications for their social rights and citizenship. Participatory processes have demonstrated the potential to militate against the harsh consequences of social exclusion.