Local and regional governments play a critical role in expanding young people’s access to employment opportunities, particularly during the transition from education to work. Across the globe, city-led programmes, including Barcelona Activa in Spain, Programa Primer Paso in Cordoba, Argentina, Skills Development Agency in Edo State, Nigeria, demonstrate how local or regional governments work to create livelihoods for youth.
In this context, the Summer Youth Employment Program 2026 (SYEP) by New York City, United States of America, is an example of city-led youth empowerment. The program has been running for over six decades since 1963. In both 2022 and 2023, more than 100,000 young people participated in the programme, with 53% receiving a return offer. SYEP offers a reference for cities looking to design scalable, long-term youth employment programmes with measurable outcomes.
SYEP offers youth in New York City career exploration and paid work experience each summer through structured projects and work-based opportunities. The program lasts for six weeks and targets young people between 14 and 24 years old.
More information about this program impact and results can be found in the 2025 Report.
Credit: New York City
Program offerings and options
SYEP helps participants explore career options through worksite placements and career exploration events, while also enhancing their financial literacy. Participants aged 14 to 15 can participate in paid project-based learning, where they learn about career opportunities and contribute to community development. Participants ages 16 to 24 can enhance work readiness skills and explore career pathways through paid summer jobs.
Four service options are available:
- Community-based option.
- School-based option, where the program is co-created by select Department of Education schools.
- Emerging Leaders option for youth who face at least one of the following employment barriers: homeless or runaway youth, justice-involved youth, youth in or aging out of foster care, or youth in families receiving preventive services through New York City’s Administration for Children’s Services.
- MAP to $ucess option for youth who currently reside in select MAP Housing Developments.
Credit: New York City