In Timor-Leste, where young people make up nearly 70% of the population, communities are seeking more opportunities to support young people through mentorship, structured activities, and safe spaces for growth.
While the country has made steady progress since gaining independence, many young people continue to navigate limited access to education, employment, and social support systems, particularly in rural and peri-urban communities.
In March 2026, a delegation from the Asia-Pacific Region of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) conducted a courtesy and re-engagement visit to União Nacional dos Escuteiros de Timor-Leste. The visit aimed to better understand the current situation of the National Scout Organization, strengthen collaboration, and explore areas for future support. Among the key discussions and observations during the visit was the potential introduction of the Ticket to Life Project in Timor-Leste to support vulnerable young people through Scouting, life skills development, and community-based engagement.
The visit marked the first mission of the Asia-Pacific Region to Timor-Leste since 2018 and focused on assessing the National Scout Organization’s current situation, leadership capacity, and opportunities for future collaboration.
Across discussions and field observations, a clear need emerged for more structured activities, positive peer engagement, and consistent adult guidance for young people in Timor-Leste.
In response, the Ticket to Life project, a flagship initiative of the WOSM Asia-Pacific Region, uses a community-based Scouting approach to provide mentorship, peer support, and structured activities that help young people build confidence, develop life skills, and strengthen their connection to their communities.
“The visit showed both the challenges and the strong potential that exists within communities in Timor-Leste,” said Jose Rizal Pangilinan, Regional Director of Asia-Pacific Region. “Young people are looking for opportunities to grow, contribute, and feel supported. Through Scouting, we see an opportunity to help create positive spaces where vulnerable youth can build confidence, develop life skills, and strengthen their sense of belonging,” he added.
The Asia-Pacific Region delegation noted that Timor-Leste presents a strong environment for piloting the initiative due to its close-knit communities and openness to collaboration among local stakeholders and Scout leaders. União Nacional dos Escuteiros de Timor-Leste has expressed readiness to begin with one pilot Scout troop in Dili, providing a practical starting point for implementation and learning.
The introduction of Ticket to Life in Timor-Leste would also expand the reach of the Asia-Pacific Region’s flagship initiative into a post-conflict and small-state setting, offering valuable insights for similar contexts across the region.
As Timor-Leste continues investing in its young population, stakeholders see the proposed pilot of União Nacional dos Escuteiros de Timor-Leste and its partners as an important step toward expanding mentorship, community engagement, and skills development opportunities that empower vulnerable youth to participate, lead, and shape their futures.
