CARIFESTA XV Youth Village
Youth Village: August 25 - 27, 2025 | Barbados Community College | 10AM - 6PM
CARIFESTA for
Every Youth!
The Youth Village is a platform where young people explore identity, master skills, and confront social and environmental challenges shaping their future. It empowers youth to express their identities, cultivate leadership, and co-create the Caribbean they envision.
From augmented reality installations and storytelling to cultural workshops, talent showcases, and climate justice forums, the Youth Village is a living laboratory of ideas, energy, and purpose. It encourages hands-on learning, peer collaboration, and innovation grounded in Caribbean culture. It is a space where art meets activism, creativity becomes currency, and young Caribbean voices lead the conversation about what’s next.
Main Stage
This central space hosts live storytelling, performances, and dialogues that amplify authentic youth voices and cultural expression, featuring regional artists and cultural influencers. It celebrates Caribbean music as a unifying force through DJ sets, lyrical battles, and cultural showcases.
AR Cultural Zone (Roots & Rhythms)
Interactive augmented reality experiences including digital fashion exhibits with smart mirrors, 3D Caribbean dance history “time-travel,” a “Dear Future Me” video booth archive, and immersive VR climate and history simulations.
Island Earth Zone
A sustainable innovation hub presenting youth-led environmental solutions through interactive booths and demonstrations on renewable energy, recycling, zero-waste lifestyles, and more. It connects youth with practical tools to build resilient island futures.
Balance Bay
Digital Wellness Zone: A calm space promoting mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing through guided meditation, wellness circles, journaling, gentle yoga, and mental health panels tailored to youth.
Youth Street Market
A vibrant open-air marketplace featuring youth entrepreneurs from across CARICOM selling culturally inspired, sustainable products, fostering economic empowerment and regional networking.
Key Zones & Features
These zones will cover a wide range of interest and trending topics.
Ashley Lashley is a Barbadian youth leader making significant global impact. As a UNICEF Youth Advocate, CARICOM Youth Ambassador, and Miss World Barbados, she transforms passion into action.
At 16, she founded Schools Against Non-Communicable Diseases and later the HEY Campaign, mobilizing over 500 youth climate activists. Her Ashley Lashley Foundation has empowered thousands and distributed over $30,000 in grants for youth-led climate and health initiatives.
Ashley has organized major regional platforms, including the Barbados Youth Climate Action Summit and the SIDS Global Children and Youth Action Summit, elevating Small Island Developing States' voices. She also developed the CARICOM Badge for Brownies and Girl Guides, promoting Caribbean citizenship.
Youth Media Ambassador Programme
A developmental initiative recruiting 20 emerging youth influencers from Barbados and beyond,representing various creative fields from vloggers and dancers to spoken word artists and animators. Ambassadors receive training and support to create daily digital content that amplifies Youth Village activities and stories, fostering peer-to-peer engagement and regional visibility.
Have Questions?
Get in touch with our Youth Programme team.
Youth Coordinator: Ashley Lashley
Official Youth Village Sponsor
Youth Village SCHEDULE
View the calendar below to plan your journey through the CARIFESTA XV Youth Village.
