CariSECURE 2.0 has launched in Grenada as part of a Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) by the U.S. government, in efforts to respond to high levels of crime in the region. Grenada will also benefit from two more programmes under this initiative.

The programmes, funded through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) over the next five years, will advance citizen security in the region. They are: Strengthening Evidence Based Decision Making for Citizen Security (CariSECURE) 2.0, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme; Youth Resilience, Inclusion, and Empowerment (Y-RIE), implemented by DAI Global; and Opportunities to Advance and Support Youth for Success (OASYS), implemented by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Commission. Each will support national programs to create a safer, more prosperous, and resilient Caribbean region.

In a keynote address at the launch on 24 March, delivered in the Prime Minister’s absence by Permanent Secretary Carlyn McQuilkin, lauded the programs which will provide a framework for youth to be their best selves.

The Prime Minister thanked the U. S. Government for their support noting, “The Government of Grenada, notwithstanding its limited resources, remains committed to targeted efforts that empower and equip our young people to achieve their full potential. To this end we are extremely grateful for the support of development partners such as USAID, UNDP and the OECS Commission, who continue to strengthen our efforts through collaborative initiatives that align with national priorities.”

Reaffirming the U.S. Government’s shared goals and strong partnership with the government of Grenada, Ambassador Linda S. Taglialatela said, “The empowerment of Grenada’s young people is key to the continued development of this country and of the entire Caribbean. These USAID programs will focus on young people who are most at risk, and meaningfully engage them at all stages of the program. This approach will empower young people to discover and uncover their many abilities and assets.”

UNDP Resident Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Limya Eltayeb, expressed confidence in the partnership with Grenada, pointing out that objectives will be achieved through careful planning and coordinated approaches driven by evidence.  

She indicated that "Grenada was a champion of CariSECURE 1.0, the project which preceded this, and we look forward to working with Government even further on CariSECURE 2.0. We will be using insights from data to guide decision-making, in order to help shape programs and policy which will benefit the island’s youth, as well as the wider population. Our young people are our future and it is important that we develop policies and programmes which ensure that they reach their full potential and that traditionally at-risk youth are not left behind. With data-driven solutions we can ensure our youth are protected."

In his remarks, Minister for Social and Community Development, Hon. Philip Telesford, underscored his Ministry’s commitment “…to working alongside and with everyone in our youth ecology, our education and judiciary systems, parents, families, communities and our regional and international counterparts, to ensure that our youth succeed and make successful transition into adulthood.  As a nation, it is important for us to raise strong, resilient children who can make a difference in their own lives, and that of their families”.

The Strengthening Evidence Based Decision Making for Citizen Security (CariSECURE) 2.0, is implemented by implemented by the United Nations Development programme (UNDP) and will work in partnership with the Ministry of Social and Community Development, providing resources and technical assistance to build the capacity of youth-serving institutions to collect and analyze timely, reliable and standardized data that can be disaggregated to support youth crime prevention and response.