Drawing on six years of evidence across local partners in the Communities Building Youth Futures (CBYF) network, this brief demonstrates that belonging and youth employment are deeply reciprocal. Young people who feel rooted in their communities are far more likely to pursue and sustain meaningful work, while supportive employment deepens their connection to local community life.
This brief outlines four core actions to build strong pathways for youth employment and belonging: strengthening supportive workplace conditions, making room for youth to lead local change, funding community connections, and aligning employment policy with the broader conditions that help youth thrive.