The NYDA was established in terms of National Youth Development Agency Act, No 54 of 2008 as national public entity as defined in section 1 of the Public Finance Management Act, No 1 of 1999. The mandate of the agency include the development of an Integrated Youth Development Plan and Strategy for South Africa, develop guidelines for the implementation of an integrated national youth development policy and make recommendations to the President, initiate, design, co-ordinate, evaluate and monitor all programmes aimed at integrating the youth into the economy and society. This also includes guiding efforts and facilitating economic participation and empowerment, and achievement of education and training.