The Youth Volunteerism for Peacebuilding and Disarmament: Youth Measuring Community Security through Participatory Indicators initiative represented an important step in advancing the objectives of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security in Trinidad and Tobago. The project, implemented by the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Programme Caribbean and the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), sought to empower young people aged 18 to 29 to actively contribute to peace, security, and sustainable development through civic participation and volunteerism.
The initiative focused on SDG 16, particularly the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies, reducing violence, strengthening institutions, and increasing participatory decision-making. Young participants were trained to develop participatory indicators that would measure community security concerns, including violence, illicit arms, trust in institutions, and perceptions of safety. By involving youth directly in identifying and measuring challenges affecting their communities, the project promoted local ownership and evidence-based approaches to peacebuilding.
HARTT's participation supported the core pillars of UNSCR 2250, particularly Participation, Prevention, and Partnership. As a youth-focused civil society organization, HARTT contributed to the identification and engagement of young leaders and volunteers who were active agents of change within their communities. Through involvement in the multiplier workshops and discussions, HARTT helped amplify youth voices, strengthen civic engagement, and encourage meaningful youth participation in decision-making processes related to community safety and development.
Overall, HARTT's contribution helped reinforce the recognition of young people as essential partners in building peaceful, resilient, and secure communities, reflecting the fundamental vision of UNSCR 2250 that youth are not merely beneficiaries of peace, but active architects of it