Youth Cost of Living Survey | YLA Summer Project

As part of Youth Leadership Academy Foundations, which is the second phase of our three-phase programme, young people are tasked with a developing youth-led projects focused on a community issue that is meaningful to them and their experiences. The youth were split into three small groups that aimed to highlight the “Effects of the Rising Cost of Living.” This concern was developed through their everyday experiences, their families, future choices, as well as comparing Bermuda’s cost of living to other countries. Through conducting research and viewing the “Cost of Living” summit held by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the students realized that although there was a lot of focus on the impacts of the cost of living on adults, there was not much information available on the youth experience regarding the high prices of the island. Thus, our YLA students have created a youth focused “Cost of Living” survey to gain insight on how it also impacts their peers, in hopes that it could impact the decision making of Bermuda’s leadership when developing future legislation.  

Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) is a 5-year, 3-phase programme that aims to help and support young people to reach their full potential. Through exposure to opportunities, the young people learn that leadership is not just a position, it is taking action. Along this journey they learn the importance of their voice and that they must initiate the actions that will bring about the change they seek.