Wayne Lumbasi
The Youth Charter has called for a strengthened partnership between the Commonwealth of Nations, the African Union and the Caribbean Community to ensure that the 2026 Commonwealth Games deliver a lasting legacy for young people across Africa, the Caribbean and the wider Commonwealth.
The appeal was issued on Commonwealth Day, with the international youth development organisation emphasising that major global sporting events must generate long-term opportunities for young people rather than short-term economic gains tied only to the hosting of the games.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will take place in Glasgow from 23rd July to 2nd August 2026, bringing together athletes from across the Commonwealth’s 56 member nations. The event is expected to attract global attention while showcasing the role of sport in promoting unity, cultural exchange and international cooperation.
Representing more than 2.5 billion citizens, the Commonwealth community includes some of the world’s youngest populations, particularly across Africa and the Caribbean. The Youth Charter argues that this demographic reality provides a unique opportunity for the Commonwealth and its regional partners to demonstrate global leadership in harnessing sport as a tool for sustainable development, social cohesion and youth empowerment.
However, the organisation stressed that the long-term value of international sporting events should be measured not only by infrastructure investments or tourism revenues, but also by the extent to which they contribute to meaningful social and economic opportunities for young people.
Across Africa and the Caribbean, youth populations are facing a range of structural challenges that are shaping their futures. These include rising youth unemployment and underemployment, widening socio-economic inequality, mental health pressures, rapid digital transformation that is leaving many young people without the necessary skills, and growing climate vulnerability affecting communities. Social fragmentation and limited access to opportunities are also becoming increasingly significant issues.
The Youth Charter said that closer cooperation between Commonwealth institutions, the African Union and CARICOM could allow the Glasgow Games to align more effectively with broader international development frameworks. These include the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the CARICOM Human and Social Development Strategy, the Commonwealth Charter and youth development agenda, and the global commitments outlined in the United Nations Youth 2030 Strategy and the Sustainable Development Goals..
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A key component of the organisation’s proposal is the expansion of its Community Campus model, a framework designed to create integrated local development hubs that support youth engagement through sport, education and cultural activities.
Community Campuses bring together a range of programmes aimed at empowering young people, including sports participation and coaching development, education and employability pathways, arts and cultural initiatives, digital learning opportunities and leadership programmes. The campuses also support social enterprise development and community-based projects that allow young people to play a more active role in shaping their local economies and societies.
The Youth Charter has already implemented versions of this model through partnerships in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth communities, building on experiences linked to the legacy programmes of previous Commonwealth Games held in 2002 Commonwealth Games and 2022 Commonwealth Games.
By connecting the legacy planning of the Glasgow 2026 Games with the expansion of Community Campuses, the organisation believes a network of youth development centres could be established across Africa, the Caribbean and other Commonwealth regions. Such a network would provide a tangible and measurable legacy from the Games while strengthening cooperation between governments, sporting institutions and development partners.
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Beyond youth engagement, the Youth Charter also highlighted the growing importance of sport as a strategic economic sector capable of supporting job creation, entrepreneurship, tourism and skills development. Across Africa and the Caribbean in particular, sport is increasingly being recognised as a driver of social cohesion, public health improvement and cultural exchange.
Through structured legacy initiatives linked to Glasgow 2026, the organisation argues that the Commonwealth has an opportunity to demonstrate how major sporting events can contribute directly to inclusive economic growth and sustainable development outcomes.
The Youth Charter is therefore urging Commonwealth governments, African Union institutions, CARICOM member states, international development partners, sporting federations and philanthropic organisations to collaborate in transforming the legacy of the Glasgow Games into a platform for long-term youth empowerment and community development.
According to the organisation, young people across the Commonwealth are not simply seeking inspiration from international sporting events but also greater participation, leadership opportunities and access to the skills needed to thrive in rapidly changing economies. By investing in sustainable youth development structures, it says the legacy of Glasgow 2026 can play a meaningful role in strengthening social stability and economic opportunity across the Commonwealth family.
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