Manuals and toolkits: 2010 Youth Participation in Development

The Youth Participation Guide aims to help build and harness young people as assets. It has been developed through an innovative process led by young people, which itself has reinforced their capacity to participate and lead. It has been developed to assist donor agencies (multilateral and bilateral) and policy advisors in a range of
organisations working with and for youth. It will also be useful for government, NGO and civil society partners.The Guide challenges negative stereotypes of youth and demonstrates how young people can positively contribute to development in four operational areas: organisational development, policy and planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation. It also draws together case studies, resources and practical ‘how to’ guidance from around the world and draws on Sharing and Learning Networks established in two focus countries – Nepal and Uganda. The case studies that illustrate this focus on three thematic areas that are important to young people:

• governance, voice and accountability
• post-conflict transitions and livelihoods
• sexual and reproductive health and rights.

The process of developing the Guide has stimulated considerable interest in Nepal and Uganda and we hope that the Sharing and Learning Networks will continue there. Meanwhile, the resources and lessons will grow through the on-line guide and website: http://www.ygproject.org