Youth Participation in Development A guide for Development Agencies and Policy Makers

Putting Youth at the Heart of International Development www.ygproject.org

Youth participation in development is about involving young people in the decision making process when it comes to the policies and interventions that affect them. The Youth Participation in Development Guide explores what this means in practice, providing a clear framework, thematic case studies and operational standards for donors and development programmes to harness the potential of youth participation.

Why focus on youth?

Today's generation of young people is the largest in history. Over 3 billion people nearly half of the world's population are under the age of 25. Almost 90% of all young people live in developing countries. Young people are a valuable asset to their countries and investing in them brings tremendous social and economic benefits. Nemat Shafik, Permanent Secretary, DfID, 2010 The guide starts from the understanding that young people have a human right to be involved in the decision-making processes that affect their lives. It is also based on the belief that youth participation in development programmes makes them more effective and efficient, creates better programmes and contributes significantly to improving the lives of young people and their communities.

Youth as beneficiaries, partners & leaders of development

A three-lens approach can be used to see the different ways in which young people can be engaged in development.

Figure 1 - Adapted from: World Bank Development Report 2007

DFID | CSO Youth Working Group www.youthindevelopment.org.uk

Donors and development agencies should work for youth as beneficiaries, with youth as partners and programmes should be shaped by youth as leaders with recognition of different development contexts. The guide and case studies outline key learning about approaches to putting each of these lenses into practice.

Designed for donors: structured for action

The guide was created to support donor agencies (multilateral and bilateral) and policy advisors in a range of organisations working with and for youth. It is also useful for national government, NGOs and civil society partners both at a national and local level. The guide is structured to provide clear information on how to work with youth at a practical operational level when thinking about policy and programming. It is split into three parts: Part 1: Why work with and for youth Explores the rationale of working with young people. Part 2: Strategies & Case studies Provide case studies across four areas of development work: Organisational development, Policy and Planning, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Part 3: Youth Mainstreaming Provides a set of participation standards and ways to build youth participation into the work you do.

The guide has been distributed extensively through DfID and through YWG member organisations and their partners. I commend the work of the Youth Working Group on the Youth Participation in Development guide. We will continue to draw on it to strengthen work on youth participation in the countries where we work. Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP, Secretary of State for International Development, 2010 The Youth Participation in Development Guide was created as part of a joint project between the Youth Working Group and the DfID Equity and Rights Team in the UK and generated in partnership with young people, with young people from the UK, Uganda and Nepal as equal project team members.

How do I find out more?

Get your copy Download the guide and accompanying resources from www.ygproject.org or request a hard copy by emailing info@youthindevelopment.org.uk. Tell us your story If you are already using the guide, then wed love to hear how and share your learning. Simply fill out the short online at www.ygproject.org/about/keepingconnected. Join the DFID / CSO Youth Working Group network We are a group of UK-based civil society organisations and a wider network of 30+ organisations concerned with youth involvement in international development. The group was established in 2007, in partnership with DfID, to help put young people at the heart of development. To join our mailing list email info@youthindevelopment.org.uk.

DFID | CSO Youth Working Group www.youthindevelopment.org.uk