Youth Transitions: Developing Successful Adults - An Exploration of International Livelihoods Programs

EMpower is a nonprofit organization that provides grants to youth-oriented programs in emerging market countries. The 2007 World Development Report estimates that there are 1.5 billion young people aged 12 to 24 worldwide, 1.3 billion of whom live in the developing world. Youth today comprise the largest generation in history. This unprecedented demographic force, combined with the vast potential inherent to the age range, demands that we make immediate and significant investments in young people. EMpower’s grants help local communities provide accessible health care, quality education and viable employment opportunities to disadvantaged youth. The Capstone team was charged with exploring the most effective means of improving the livelihoods of young people. The term “livelihoods,” most broadly referring to the economic/social/human capital required to make a living, has recently become a focus of development professionals. Little data is available, however, on proven livelihoods programs, particularly for youth. The Capstone project began with a comprehensive literature review and expert interviews to gather information on the best practices of youth livelihood programs. This was followed by case studies in Colombia and Nigeria to observe the practical application of these best practices, particularly the importance of using context-specific variables to inform program design. The combination of literature and field research greatly enhanced and contributed to the understanding of key program practices for successful youth livelihood programs. Findings will be presented at the Grantmakers Without Borders conference in June of 2007.