UPINGTON HOSTS YOUTH SERVICE CENTRE REVIEW TO STRENGTHEN IMPACT AND SUSTAINABILITY

•⁠ ⁠Youth Service Centres across the Northern Cape are set to benefit from a renewed focus on performance, relevance, and collaboration.
•⁠ ⁠The Department of Social Development is bringing together stakeholders in Upington to review progress, share lessons, and chart a path forward for youth support services.
•⁠ ⁠The annual session is an opportunity to align efforts with national priorities, improve operational sustainability, and ensure that no young person is left behind.

The Northern Cape Department of Social Development will host the 2025 Annual Youth Service Centre (YSC) Performance Review Session from 03 to 05 June 2025. The three-day session will take place at the Dessert Palace Casino in Upington, gathering youth centre representatives, departmental officials, and national stakeholders to build stronger, more impactful YSCs.

Under the theme “Building Stronger, Relevant Youth Service Centres for Greater Impact,” the session will focus on reviewing progress, sharing best practices, and strengthening institutional frameworks to support youth development in the province.

The Department’s leadership has positioned the session as an essential platform for aligning Youth Service Centres with the broader five-year vision of providing integrated, sustainable social development services. It also serves to prepare YSCs for the 2025/2026 implementation cycle, including updates on the Annual Performance Plan, compliance guidelines, and funding opportunities.

Funding stakeholders such as the National Lotteries Commission and other resource partners are also expected to attend, offering insights into potential avenues for financial support and partnership.

The Department has invited members of the media to attend the opening session on 03 June at 08:00 AM, where interviews with senior officials, youth programme managers, and community representatives will be facilitated.

This annual engagement is a testament to the Department’s commitment to empowering youth, strengthening community institutions, and ensuring that services remain relevant, responsive, and accessible to young people across the Northern Cape.