The Government of Saint Lucia is significantly strengthening its social protection framework and intensifying efforts to address youth crime, with a major focus on prevention and community-based intervention.

Speaking during her contribution to the 2026/2027 Budget Debate on April 23, 2026, Minister for Equity, Social Justice, Gender, Older Persons, Labour, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs, Hon. Emma Hippolyte, outlined a series of initiatives aimed at supporting vulnerable households while tackling the root causes of violence.

At the centre of this strategy is the Public Assistance Programme (PAP), which currently supports approximately 3,600 households, and equivalent of  8,500 individuals. The Ministry, in September, will commence a nationwide reassessment exercise to ensure that benefits are accurately targeted, reducing both inclusion and exclusion errors.

Complementing this is the launch of the $2.5 million Catalyst Project, a comprehensive intervention designed to reduce crime and violence among at-risk youth—particularly young men.

The initiative adopts a non-criminal justice approach, focusing on the social and psychological drivers of crime. Key components include youth reintegration, school-based behavioural support, community psychosocial services, and life skills and employability training.

The programme will also expand after-school initiatives across all constituencies, providing structured, safe environments for youth engagement three days per week. Minister Hippolyte emphasized that crime must be addressed beyond enforcement. “This is a national investment in our people, one that strengthens families, builds resilience, and equips our young men with the tools to make better life choices.”

The Catalyst Project will be implemented through a multi-agency framework, involving government ministries, law enforcement, civil society, and faith-based organisations, ensuring a coordinated and sustained response to one of the country’s most pressing social challenges.