Alicia Pérez, a member of the Socialist Parliamentary Group, has urged the Canary Islands Government to stop delaying actions to address the precarious situation facing young people in the archipelago. During a recent parliamentary debate, she called for concrete measures to enhance their prospects for independence, employment, housing, and overall well-being.
Pérez highlighted that despite their eagerness to shape their futures, young people in the Canaries need a supportive environment that enables them to stay in the region. She advocates for the adoption of the 2026-2030 Comprehensive Youth Plan within three months, ahead of the legal deadline of June 13, 2025. This plan should include measurable objectives, scheduled actions, responsible parties, and financial backing, as “a plan without a budget is just paper.”
She also suggested using the Youth Policy Council to coordinate efforts among various government departments and councils, in order to avoid fragmented policies targeting young people.
Additionally, Pérez called for the strengthening of the Canary Youth Observatory, which should include detailed data on housing, employment, education, and mental health, categorized by age, gender, and island, to better assess the impact of public policies.
On housing, she proposed reserving at least 20% of public housing for young people and making the Young Canary Mortgage operational, with clear criteria and banks involved. She also emphasized the need to improve rental assistance, speed up resolution and payment processes, and ensure access for those without contracts.
Pérez pointed out that 32.4% of young Canarians face the risk of poverty or social exclusion. She stressed the need for a quality youth employment strategy to combat temporariness and over-qualification, while fostering opportunities in emerging sectors like research, development, and ecological transition.
The motion also includes a dedicated mental health plan for youths, advocating for increased resources for childhood and youth mental health services, suicide prevention, and psychological support in collaboration with local administrations.
Furthermore, Pérez called for a protocol to aid young adults transitioning out of the protection system at 18, providing tailored pathways, housing options, and mentoring in education and work.
She insisted on the necessity for a Directorate General for Youth to be accountable for its objectives and results and to secure adequate funding for the Youth Council along with long-term agreements with local councils.
As the legislative session draws to a close, Pérez reminded the government that they have had four years to implement these laws. She concluded that young people should have a more active role in decision-making, stating that they have the right to build their lives in the Canary Islands and it is the government’s responsibility to make that a reality.
