The Vanuatu Cultural Centre initiated the Vanuatu Young People's Project (YPP) in April 1997. The basic aim of the project is to provide a forum for young people to speak about their lives, their problems and their dreams. The project is multifaceted, featuring the ideas and work of young people through research, video production and advocacy. The emphasis on young people complements and extends the existing work of the Vanuatu Cultural Centre in the areas of contemporary and traditional culture or "kastom".

In Vanuatu the median age of the population is 17.5 years and currently 50% of the total population is under 18 years of age. Young people are the largest and most vulnerable age group at a time of rapid socio-economic change, such as Vanuatu is currently experiencing. Turning attention to the needs of young people is required as Vanuatu has ratified the "Convention on the Rights of the Child" and is committed to reviewing progress in meeting the needs and ensuring the rights of children and young people.

The first phase of the YPP was from 1997 to 1998 and the second phase was from 2000 to 2002.

Between 2002 and 2005, the YPP was solely involved in running life skills training programs, using the curriculum of the UNICEF Pacific Stars Lifeskills Program and with funding from UNICEF and then Oxfam Australia.

The current (third) phase of the project commenced in 2005.

In its third and current phase, the Vanuatu Young People’s Project is divided into two major components, a research and advocacy component and a life skills training component, the purpose being to (a) undertake an assessment of the situation of young people in the country today (in both rural and urban areas) and (b) provide these youth with the skills to advocate more effectively for their own interests and have their needs addressed by their communities and policy makers.