La Orotava Launches Youth Correspondent Project

La Orotava City Council's Youth Department is starting an exciting new project this year: youth correspondents. This will let young people create and share news that matters to them, using the department's official channels and social media.

These young correspondents will share their stories through their own online newspaper or by producing a podcast on important topics. They'll use the department's social media, and the project will be managed by the director of "La Voz Joven" (The Young Voice), the radio station at the Youth House.

Mayor Francisco Linares and Youth Councilor Darío Afonso announced this new project yesterday when they presented the activities planned for 2026. This wide range of events and programs was put together based on what young people in the town said they cared about, needed, and suggested. The goal is to encourage their involvement, provide them with well-rounded training, and help them grow personally and socially.

La Orotava will also host Retofest, a regional event taking place on April 16 and 17. This initiative from the Government of the Canary Islands aims to get young people involved in shaping their future, boosting their job prospects, promoting fairness, and tackling population challenges through education, community involvement, and participation.

Furthermore, the Youth Information Point will be improved. This is a vital resource that offers reliable and easy-to-understand information on topics like education, jobs, volunteering, travel, culture, and free-time activities – all crucial for young people planning their lives.

The Mayor emphasized the importance of the Youth House, describing it as a lively place with constant activities all year round. He said, "It's essential for us to have a dynamic, fun, and educational space where young people can be creative, practice, share projects, and join in cultural and learning activities." He added that thousands of young people visit the building annually, calling it "a space they feel belongs to them, a social and cultural hub that also serves as a study room, workspace, and an area for personal development."

Linares pointed out that none of this work would be possible without enough funding. He stated, "This ongoing, varied, and inclusive program needs a significant financial commitment; an investment totalling over nine million euros, all directly allocated to our youth."

Darío Afonso explained that "the program comes from a collaborative process, incorporating over a hundred ideas from various schools in the area, feedback from surveys with La Orotava's young people, insights from the department's expert team, and direct input from those who use the Youth House." The Youth Department stressed that "actively listening to young people and responding effectively to their needs, ideas, or suggestions is a top priority."