An estimated 1,000 youths ages 16-29 have benefitted thus far from the Youth and Road Safety Capacity Building Project in Belize which recently concluded its second phase. The Project is jointly funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Government of Belize (GOBZ). Aimed at increasing youth' understanding of road safety, and youth-related issues surrounding the safe use of Belize' road network, the project is utilising a train-the-trainer approach to create a cadre of facilitators to continue further iterations of the cycle in Belize' high schools and communities. In Phase 2, 16 youths underwent the intensive two-week road safety programme facilitated by Youth for Road Safety (YOURS), a global, not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation focused on youth and road safety. The programme focused on building their communication and public speaking skills, as well as developing their understanding of the key risk factors for youth in road safety and recognition of gender impacts, roles, stereotypes, and masculine behaviour on road usage. The theoretical and practical training also included project cycle management and guidelines on preparing and executing their own road safety workshop. This builds upon Phase 1, where an initial group of 19 youths received training. It is anticipated that over the two-year lifecycle of the project, over 2,000 youths ages 16-29 will receive training. The Project is being implemented by the Road Safety Unit of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. Belize has the highest road fatality rate of CDB' 19 borrowing member countries. A study conducted in 2007 by Belize' Ministry of Health estimated that the cost of road traffic injuries to Belize' economy was equivalent to USD16 million. CAPTION: Facilitators, Manpreet Darroch (right) and Floor Lieshout of Youth for Road Safety (YOURS) with the proud graduates of the programme. Image source: YOURS Twitter