Hope Island Project for At-Risk Youth to Be Launched Soon, Says President Muizzu

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the Hope Island rehabilitation project for at-risk youth exposed to criminal environments will be launched soon.

Speaking in the third episode of The Pulse podcast series, the President said the initiative is intended to address the root causes of youth crime rather than focusing solely on its consequences.

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He said the government’s approach includes tackling housing challenges, creating income-generating opportunities for young people and supporting the development of small businesses as part of broader efforts to reduce crime.

Hope Island will be developed on 15 hectares of reclaimed land in Uthuru Thila Falhu and is designed to accommodate up to 700 people. The facility will provide rehabilitation programmes for children, including basic and religious education, psychosocial intervention, therapy programmes and contact sports.

The centre will also offer vocational training, sports facilities and healthcare services to support the rehabilitation and development of its residents.

President Muizzu said securing funding for the project had taken time, but proposals are now being evaluated and implementation is expected to begin soon. He added that the government aims to complete the project during its current term.

The government has previously stated that children admitted to Hope Island will remain at the facility until they reach the age of 18. Upon leaving the centre, they will be required to serve for a period in either the Maldives Police Service or the Maldives National Defence Force.