What is National Youth Service Policy (NYSP)?

ICP defines National Youth Service as “An organized period of substantial youth engagement with and contribution to a community, supported or mandated by the national government, with minimal monetary compensation to the participant.”

In the case of a National Youth Service Policy (NYSP), the service activity is explicitly defined in the text of a policy document, and the policy is implemented in the form of a program. Policies are legislated by government bodies or ministries within the government, such as a ministry of education or a youth office.

A Youth Service Policy is created by an organization or agency (normally in the government) for the purpose of involving young people in community service, volunteerism, or service-learning. Youth Service Policies are implemented, or put into action, through community service programs. The exact nature, forms, and purpose of the service vary greatly from policy to policy and country to country.

Why National Youth Service?

The Promise of National Youth Service Policy

When given an opportunity for meaningful involvement in society through service, youth take advantage. Well-designed service policies are the most effective strategy for creating, implementing, and supporting programs that provide youth a forum for engaging in meaningful, pro-social activities, and in turn provide opportunities for the acquisition of skills and experience in collective action for community improvement.

National policies and programs are often designed to reach remote parts of countries and provide opportunities to those who may not normally have opportunities to participate in service activities. On a societal level, youth community service is theorized as an emerging social institution and as a strategy for social, economic, and democratic development.

In their strongest and most comprehensive form, Youth Service Policies:

Provide a framework for the creation and implementation of effective youth service programs;
Define the purpose and role of the young people’s involvement in community service;
Forge relationships and create partnerships among organizations in civil society and private sector interested in and dedicated to positive youth development through service;
Are designed to reach segments of the society most in need through national, inclusive youth service initiatives;
Provide financial resources to youth service programs;
Provide incentives to youth servers to participate;
Provide a legal framework to safeguard servers and the organizations;
Provide training to support organizations in reaching their objectives; and
Benefit society through programs that support social, economic, and democratic development.

Meeting Critical National Needs

On a range of issues, from education to public health, disaster relief to environmental protection, a concerted effort by both governments and affected communities is required to meet critical national needs.

While governments often lack the resources to remedy a laundry list of social ills, young people frequently lack structured opportunities to engage their communities in positive ways.

By creating effective National Youth Service Policies that recognize and utilize the energy and talent of youths, governments can empower young people to address many of their community’s (as well as their own) needs and simultaneously develop the human and social capital of participating youths and their communities.

For more information on National Youth Service, visit the IANYS section of this website.