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Youth organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) are characterized by high turnover and an absence of support. As a result, the role of organized civil society in the field of youth is relatively weak. Due to the lack of financial resources, youth NGOs have come to be influenced by political forces (often leftist in orientation) and dependent on development assistance and foreign aid (which is now slowly decreasing). Student movements are a specific feature of the youth NGO scene. Although they cannot be said to be highly representative (considering the overall numbers of students), they are the only organizations that benefit from sustainable working conditions. Although frequently allied with leftist parties, they are often the only political force capable of influencing political decision making in relation to youth. In the context of a largely politicized civil society, the concept of national youth councils, as a democratically legitimated counterpart to the government on youth policy issues (e.g., on the historical West European model) does not really exist. Youth councils in the LAC region, with the exception of a few special cases, have more often than not been co-opted by government. In addition, there is an increasing tendency toward professionalization and service provision mainly in the field of youth information, training, and youth participation, with the historically voluntary character of the youth NGO sector becoming weaker.
InLATINA Iniciativa Latinoamericana
InLATINA is a nonprofit organization based in Uruguay aimed at developing strategies for youth poverty reduction, community empowerment, and the strengthening of democracy. It is an open forum for initiatives of social innovation and citizen participation focusing on areas of social entrepreneurship, sexual and reproductive health, and cultural and environmental policies.
Red Latinoamericana de Juventudes Rurales (RELAJUR)
RELAJUR is a youth network based in Uruguay targeting rural young people in the region. It aims at collecting information on and for rural young people and providing a platform for sharing and exchange of information and services across the region.
Youth Portal for Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAJU)
Developed in cooperation with UNESCO, CELAJU is the most visited youth portal in the region. It offers information on youth policy issues, on young people, and on institutions and resources for young people.