Apply to the National Youth Ambassadors Programme

Thank you for your interest in joining the National Youth Ambassadors Programme – Trinidad and Tobago (NYAPTTO), 2027 Cohort I, the flagship youth leadership and development initiative of the Trinidad and Tobago Youth Ambassadors (TTYA).

The National Youth Ambassadors Programme is dedicated to developing the next generation of capable, confident, socially responsible, and globally aware young leaders equipped with the knowledge, competencies, and practical experience to contribute meaningfully to youth development, governance, advocacy, and national service.

Through structured training, mentorship, civic engagement, personal development, and practical leadership experiences, the Programme prepares young people to exercise effective leadership, engage with national and international issues, and contribute to positive change within their communities and wider society.

Admission to the Programme is competitive and based on eligibility, suitability, demonstrated potential, motivation, and commitment to the Programme's objectives.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the information, eligibility criteria, participation requirements, and financial obligations outlined below before completing and submitting their application.

The National Youth Ambassadors Programme – Trinidad and Tobago (NYAPTTO) is an independent youth leadership and development initiative established, administered, and operated by the Trinidad and Tobago Youth Ambassadors (TTYA), a registered and incorporated non-profit organisation.

The Programme operates independently under the governance, management, policies, and administrative framework of TTYA.

Any collaboration, partnership, engagement, recognition, or support involving government ministries, public institutions, or other stakeholders does not alter the Programme's independent organisational status or constitute government ownership or administration.

Selection or installation as a National Youth Ambassador is a designation conferred through the TTYA National Youth Ambassadors Programme and does not constitute an official government appointment, diplomatic accreditation, or authorisation to represent the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

The National Youth Ambassadors Programme is a structured two-year youth leadership and development initiative combining theoretical learning, practical application, mentorship, civic engagement, and national service.

The Programme is delivered through six core developmental components designed to strengthen participants' personal effectiveness, leadership capacity, communication, civic responsibility, diplomatic awareness, advocacy skills, and ability to contribute meaningfully to society.

Participants will engage in facilitated training sessions, interactive workshops, leadership exercises, assessments, practical assignments, community-based initiatives, and other structured learning experiences.

Programme objectives

1. Develop leadership competencies: cultivate ethical leadership, critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and effective decision-making.
2. Strengthen civic and governance knowledge: enhance participants' understanding of civic responsibility, governance, public policy, diplomacy, international relations, and youth advocacy.
3. Promote meaningful youth participation: equip young people to contribute constructively to community development, advocacy, decision-making, and national service.
4. Support personal and professional development: provide structured opportunities for mentorship, skills development, capacity-building, and personal growth.
5. Encourage practical application and social impact: empower participants to identify challenges, develop solutions, and implement initiatives that respond to community and national development priorities.

Opportunities for national, regional, and international engagement may become available during the Programme. Participation in such opportunities is subject to eligibility, availability, suitability, performance, and the applicable selection criteria.

Admission to the Programme does not guarantee international travel, external representation, diplomatic appointments, or participation in national or international events.

Applicants must:

• Be between 14 and 25 years of age at the time of application.
• Be a citizen or legal resident of Trinidad and Tobago.
• Demonstrate an interest in leadership, advocacy, civic engagement, youth development, and community service.
• Show a willingness to learn, develop new skills, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
• Demonstrate leadership potential, initiative, responsibility, and commitment to personal development.
• Be willing and available to participate in compulsory training, assessments, projects, and other programme activities.
• Be prepared to fulfil the Programme's onboarding, residential, and installation requirements.
• Agree to comply with the Programme's policies, code of conduct, safeguarding procedures, and participation standards.

Previous leadership experience is not mandatory. Applicants without formal leadership experience are encouraged to apply, provided they demonstrate the potential, interest, and commitment required for participation.

Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee shortlisting, selection, admission, or installation.

The National Youth Ambassadors Programme requires a sustained commitment throughout its two-year duration. Successful applicants will be expected to:

• Attend and actively participate in scheduled training sessions, workshops, meetings, and official programme activities.
• Complete compulsory learning activities, assignments, assessments, projects, and practical exercises.
• Participate in applicable civic engagement, community service, and national service initiatives.
• Maintain satisfactory attendance, engagement, performance, and progression throughout the Programme.
• Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, punctuality, teamwork, and appropriate conduct.
• Comply with the Programme's established policies, safeguarding requirements, and administrative procedures.
• Maintain effective communication with Programme Management concerning attendance, participation, and assigned responsibilities.

The full duties, attendance standard and service requirements are set out in the Terms of Reference.

Programme activities may be delivered in person, virtually, or through blended learning arrangements. Sessions and activities may be scheduled during weekends, school holidays, or outside regular school and working hours.

Applicants should carefully consider their academic, employment, personal, and other commitments before applying.

Continued participation is subject to satisfactory attendance, engagement, conduct, and completion of the prescribed Programme requirements.

All candidates selected for admission to the National Youth Ambassadors Programme 2027 Cohort I are required to participate in a three-day residential programme as part of their onboarding, orientation, leadership preparation, and installation requirements.

The residential programme is designed to facilitate team development, programme orientation, leadership preparation, and other structured developmental activities.

Applicants must understand that:

• Selection for admission does not automatically confer the title or status of an installed National Youth Ambassador.
• Participation in the three-day residential programme is a prescribed installation requirement.
• Selected candidates must comply with all residential rules, safeguarding procedures, and participation expectations.
• Residential dates, location, accommodation, transportation arrangements, and any applicable financial contributions will be communicated to selected candidates.
• Applicants under 18 years of age must obtain the necessary parental or legal guardian consent before participating.

Requests for reasonable accommodation or exceptional arrangements must be submitted to Programme Management for formal consideration. Any approved alternative must be confirmed in writing.

Failure to satisfy the prescribed residential and onboarding requirements may result in the postponement or non-approval of a candidate's installation.

Applicants are required to review and understand the following financial obligations before submitting their application.

1. Registration Fee: TTD $200.00

A non-refundable registration fee of TTD $200.00 is required upon submission of the application.

This fee facilitates registration for membership within the Trinidad and Tobago Youth Ambassadors (TTYA), subject to the organisation's applicable membership requirements. Membership within TTYA is separate from admission to the National Youth Ambassadors Programme and provides access to designated organisational membership activities and opportunities.

Payment of the Registration Fee does not guarantee shortlisting, selection, admission, or installation as a National Youth Ambassador.

2. Year One Programme Fee: TTD $1,000.00

Applicants who are successfully selected for admission to the National Youth Ambassadors Programme will be required to pay a Year One Programme Fee of TTD $1,000.00.

This fee contributes towards the administration and delivery of the first year of the Programme, including structured training, learning resources, mentorship, and associated developmental activities.

The TTD $1,000.00 Programme Fee applies to Year One only and does not represent payment for the full two-year Programme. Financial requirements and applicable fees for Year Two will be communicated separately before they become payable.

The Year One Programme Fee becomes payable following official notification of selection and the issuance of the relevant payment instructions. Applicants are not required to pay the Year One Programme Fee at the initial application stage.

3. Payment plans

Approved payment plans are available to successful candidates who require flexibility in settling the applicable Programme Fee.

Requests for a payment plan must be emailed to finance@nyaptto.com and are subject to formal approval by Programme Management. All approved payment arrangements must be confirmed in writing, including the agreed instalment amounts and payment deadlines.

Approval of a payment plan does not constitute a fee reduction, scholarship, or exemption from the obligation to pay the full applicable fee.

4. Scholarship and financial assistance consideration

The Programme recognises that financial circumstances may affect an applicant's ability to meet the required Programme Fee. Applicants who wish to be considered for available scholarship or financial assistance opportunities may indicate their interest during the application process or by emailing finance@nyaptto.com.

Requests will be assessed separately, taking into consideration demonstrated financial need, applicant suitability, leadership potential, commitment to the Programme's objectives, and the availability of approved funding. Additional supporting information may be requested where necessary.

Scholarship consideration is competitive, conditional, and subject to available resources. A request for financial assistance does not guarantee funding, admission, or automatic exemption from applicable fees. Unless an exemption or alternative arrangement has been formally approved in writing, standard registration and payment requirements remain applicable.

For any question about fees, payment arrangements or receipts, email finance@nyaptto.com.

5. Additional programme-related expenses

Certain activities, including residential arrangements, installation activities, transportation, or other special engagements, may attract additional contributions where applicable.

Applicants should understand that the Year One Programme Fee does not automatically include every expense associated with Programme participation. Any additional compulsory financial obligations will be communicated in advance.

6. Non-refundable fee policy

This applies to the Registration Fee and Programme Fee, including payments made under an approved payment plan.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they understand the financial conditions and obligations before making payment.

Applicants must pay the TTD $200.00 Registration Fee using the banking information below.

Bank

First Citizens Bank

Account name

The Trinidad & Tobago Youth Ambassadors

Account number

2792009

Account type

Savings

Proof of payment

Upon payment of the Registration Fee, applicants must email their payment receipt, together with the applicant's full name, to finance@nyaptto.com.

Applicants should retain a copy of their payment receipt for personal records and verification.

Only applications satisfying the applicable submission requirements, including registration fee payment and receipt verification, will be processed for membership and consideration for the National Youth Ambassadors Programme.

1. Stage 1: Application submission. Applicants must complete and submit the official application form, pay the required Registration Fee, and provide proof of payment before the published deadline.
2. Stage 2: Eligibility review and shortlisting. Applications will be reviewed against the Programme's eligibility requirements and selection criteria, including suitability, motivation, leadership potential, and alignment with Programme objectives.
3. Stage 3: Interview and assessment. Shortlisted applicants may be invited to participate in an interview or additional assessment to determine their suitability for admission.
4. Stage 4: Final selection and admission. Successful applicants will receive official notification of selection, together with further information concerning admission, Year One Programme Fee payment, and onboarding requirements. Accepted applicants under 18 must then complete the parent / guardian consent form: it is pre-filled from the application, to be printed and signed, after which they await further instructions.
5. Stage 5: Onboarding and residential programme. Selected candidates must complete the prescribed onboarding requirements, including participation in the mandatory three-day residential programme.
6. Stage 6: Formal installation. Candidates who successfully satisfy the prescribed requirements will become eligible for formal installation as National Youth Ambassadors. Formal installation marks the assumption of responsibilities as a National Youth Ambassador and does not constitute completion of the two-year Programme.

Application deadline

All applications for the National Youth Ambassadors Programme 2027 Cohort I must be submitted by:

Late applications will not be considered. Incomplete applications, including applications that have not satisfied the required registration fee payment and receipt-verification conditions by the deadline, will not be processed for consideration.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications early to allow adequate time for payment verification.

By submitting this application, applicants acknowledge and confirm that:

1. They have read and understood the Programme's eligibility criteria, objectives, application procedures, and participation requirements.
2. They understand that the National Youth Ambassadors Programme is an independent initiative administered by the Trinidad and Tobago Youth Ambassadors (TTYA), a registered and incorporated non-profit organisation, and is not a Government or Ministry initiative or programme.
3. They understand that submitting an application or paying the Registration Fee does not guarantee admission.
4. They acknowledge the TTD $200.00 Registration Fee and the TTD $1,000.00 Year One Programme Fee applicable to successful candidates.
5. They understand that the Programme has a two-year duration and that financial requirements for Year Two will be communicated separately.
6. They understand that ALL FEES PAID ARE NON-REFUNDABLE, SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE LAW.
7. They acknowledge that the Programme requires sustained participation, including training, assessments, projects, and other prescribed activities.
8. They understand that completion of the mandatory three-day residential programme is a compulsory installation requirement.
9. They acknowledge that selection does not automatically confer the status or title of an installed National Youth Ambassador.
10. They agree to comply with the Programme's policies, safeguarding procedures, code of conduct, and participation standards.
11. They understand that selection, admission, installation, continued participation, and completion remain subject to the Programme's established requirements.
12. They confirm that all information provided in their application is accurate and complete to the best of their knowledge.

Applicants under 18 years of age must obtain the consent of a parent or legal guardian to apply and participate in the Programme.