November 2020
This report is made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency 
for International Development (USAID), under the terms of YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation AID 
Contract #47QRAA19D0006K/7200AA19M00018. The authors’ views expressed in this report do not 
necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation 
Annual Report
Contract Number: 47QRAA19D0006K/7200AA19M00018
Prime Contractor: Making Cents International
Reporting Period: September 2019 – September 2020 
Year 1 – Annual Report
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 1
Acronyms
APS Annual Program Statement
CECA Center on Children in Adversity
COR Contracting Officer Representative
DREAMS Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored, and Safe
EOI Expression of Interest
ESC Eastern and Southern Caribbean
GKI Global Knowledge Initiative
ICRW International Center for Research on Women 
ITT Indicator Tracking System
KII Key Informant Interview
KM Knowledge Management
LAAG Learning Agenda Advisory Group
LN Learning Network
LOE Level of Effort
MEL Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
PA Peer Advisor
PRH Population and Reproductive Health
PSE Private-sector Engagement
PYD Positive Youth Development
REL Research, Evaluation, and Learning
SEL Social and Emotional Learning
SOW Scope of Work
SRHR Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
UNC University of North Carolina
USAID United States Agency for International Development
WORQ Workforce Outcomes Reporting Questionnaire
YAG Youth Advisory Group
YE Youth Engagement
YPL YouthPower Learning
YP2LE YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 2
Contents
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report...........................................................................................0
Acronyms........................................................................................................................................................................1
Contents..........................................................................................................................................................................2
I. Purpose ........................................................................................................................................................................3
II. Accomplishments......................................................................................................................................................3
Activity Management ...............................................................................................................................................4
Task 1: .........................................................................................................................................................................5
Task 2: ......................................................................................................................................................................12
Task 3: .......................................................................................................................................................................15
Task 4: .......................................................................................................................................................................24
III. Problems Encountered and Identified Solutions............................................................................................28
Lessons Learned .....................................................................................................................................................29
V. Indicator Measurement.........................................................................................................................................32
Annex 1: Accomplishments All Funding Sources................................................................................................35
Annex 2. Results of the Satisfaction Survey..........................................................................................................37
Annex 3: YP2LE Youth Advisory Group (YAG)..................................................................................................45
"Without support from the international community, we risk a massive reversal of gains made 
over the last two decades, and an entire generation lost, if not in lives then in rights, 
opportunities, and dignity," — Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator, April 2020 (Guinea Youth 
Assessment)
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 3
I. Purpose 
Making Cents International (Making Cents) was awarded YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation (YP2LE) 
in September 2019. YP2LE is a three-year activity with two one-year option periods designed to build, 
expand, and disseminate Positive Youth Development (PYD) evidence and learning within and across 
multiple sectors and provide leadership in promoting PYD best practices. The activity will also provide 
rapid response and technical assistance support to USAID staff and partners to incorporate PYD 
evidence and best practices into the design, implementation, and evaluation of youth development 
programs. By the end of the activity, progress by performance areas can be summarized as follows:
✔ Activity Management: Making Cents will work closely with all partners to develop high-quality 
technical deliverables, while also managing all operations, contract, finance, reporting, and 
communications functions and creating internal team cohesion and transparency. 
✔ Task 1: Advance the PYD Learning Agenda and other youth-related learning agendas: Task 1 
activities will work to build more robust PYD data and evidence, while also packaging and 
disseminating this evidence in user-friendly, actionable tools, resources, and learning products for 
youth development practitioners. 
✔ Task 2: Grow the PYD Learning Network: Task 2 
activities will manage and expand a vibrant PYD 
Learning Network, increasing the number of 
traditional and non-traditional partners (including the 
private sector, universities, and youth-led 
organizations) collaborating, sharing, disseminating, 
and applying PYD best practices and lessons learned. 
This network will be leveraged to disseminate and 
improve the knowledge, skills, and practices of those 
working in global PYD.
✔ Task 3: Enhance the YouthPower.org and 
YouthLead.org Platforms: Task 3 activities will serve 
to increase the number of stakeholders informed by 
evidence, knowledge, and data on PYD, including 
young change-makers, so they can better apply PYD 
principles and practices. 
✔ Task 4: Provide Rapid Response Technical Support Through Buy-ins: Task 4 activities will serve to 
increase the number of PYD-focused USAID-funded activities and policies, as well as the capacity 
and understanding of USAID staff, partners, and youth-led/youth-serving organizations on PYD best 
practices and youth systems. 
II. Accomplishments 
During Year 1, YP2LE made progress toward the Expected Results as outlined in the 
Request for Quotation (RFQ) USAID No. 7200AA19Q00024 for YP2LE. As outlined in the RFQ, 
YP2LE will design, conduct, and/or support research, analyses, and evaluations that respond to the 
priority questions listed in the PYD learning agenda and other youth-related learning agendas. This Year 
1 Annual Report will demonstrate achievements made toward the Expected Results outlined in the RFQ 
and the Year 1 Annual Workplan. 
In Year 1, Making Cents achieved the following: 
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 4
Activity Management
Accomplishments 
✔ Monthly and Quarterly Financial Reports and Requested Pipeline Reports Submitted. 
All financial reports and pipeline requests have been submitted as required and requested.
✔ Bi-weekly COR Calls Conducted. Regular calls with the COR and other USAID representatives 
providing support and guidance for various YP2LE activities and buy-ins were held bi-weekly. An 
extensive Activity Tracker and dashboard was developed to track progress across the project and 
guide the agenda of the COR meetings.
✔ Indicator Tracking System (ITT) and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Plan 
Designed and Disseminated. The first major activity completed in Year 1 was the ITT and MEL 
plan. Under Task 1, the YP2LE Research, Evaluation, and Learning Manager and the Lead Technical 
Advisor drafted the MEL plan and submitted it to USAID for approval in October 2019. Upon 
approval in February 2020, the team created an excel indicator tracking file to monitor key 
performance indicators each quarter. At the end of each quarter, the team met with each task lead 
to review the reporting process, discuss indicator data count, and revise the ITT as needed.
✔ ITT Training Session Conducted. To support quality and accurate reporting, the Lead Technical 
Advisor conducted a training workshop on the development of indicators. The training included 
refreshing the team members’ knowledge on development of strong indicators, understanding the 
differences between indicators and data, clarifying the team’s understanding on how to count and 
report for each of YP2LE’s main indicators and how to develop performance reference sheets. The 
training increased the team’s confidence in tracking and reporting for their tasks and further ensured 
the fidelity of the data being reported. 
✔ Youth Advisory Group (YAG) Finalized. A term of reference was developed to define the 
roles of the YAG and to inform recruitment of the YAG members. Recruitment was initiated in 
April 2020. YP2LE launched, identified, recruited, and completed the onboarding process for seven 
YP2LE YAG members, selected from among 1,300 candidates. The seven-member YAG includes 
young changemakers from Bolivia, Kenya, Lesotho, Mauritius, Nepal, West Bank, and Uganda. A 
YAG Kick-Off Meeting was held to orient members to the project and their respective roles under
Tasks 1 – 4. The YAG also participated in a group co-creation process to agree on the purpose, 
goals, and engagement of the YAG members. Additionally, YP2LE identified and on-boarded a YAG 
member to serve as the PYD Learning Network Liaison. 
✔ YP2LE Kick-Off Meeting Held. YP2LE held its virtual kick-off meeting in December 2019. The 
task 1 team developed a short survey poll to gather data on research priorities and gaps. The 
findings were summarized, and an infographic was created to share at the YP2LE LAAG meeting. 
The summary was also shared with USAID for comment and input prior to the LAAG meeting.
✔ YP2LE Partner Meeting Held. YP2LE held a partner meeting in June 2020. The meeting served 
to introduce the new YP2LE Project Director and to provide an update on activities, priorities, and 
plans for the remainder of Year 1. 
✔ Increased platform usage on YouthPower.org and YouthLead.org.
Traffic on both platforms increased with 157,364 unique users and 802,195 page views on 
YouthLead.org and 124,526 unique users and 365,081 page views on YouthPower.org.
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 5
Source: Google Analytics
✔ Communications, Branding, and Marking Plan Developed. The YP2LE Communications, 
Branding, and Marking Plan was developed, submitted, and approved in February 2020.
✔ YP2LE Factsheets Created. A YP2LE factsheet and a Buy-in factsheet were developed, 
submitted, and approved in March 2020.
✔ YP2LE Social Media Channels Followers Engaged. During FY20, 315 followers were gained, 
and 128 tweets were posted across the YouthPower and YouthLead Twitter channels. On 
Facebook across our channels and during the same time period, 1,455 Facebook fans were gained 
and we had 72 posts. These posts highlighted YP2LE and youth-related activities, events, products, 
and campaigns as well as pushed traffic to the YouthPower.org and YouthLead.org platforms. A draft 
plan for an Instagram account has been developed and will move forward in YR2 as a new 
communications member is hired.
✔ YP2LE Quarterly Newsletters Disseminated. The YouthLead Quarterly newsletter was 
disseminated in July 2020, and the YouthPower Quarterly newsletter was sent out in August 2020. 
These two newsletters feature a quarterly review of YP2LE activities, events, opportunities, and 
campaigns, as well as stories of our partners and network members.
Task 1: 
During Year 1 YP2LE made progress toward achievement of the Expected Results in the RFQ. 
● Expected Result 1: Increased and more robust data and evidence for what works and for whom 
in PYD and cross-sectoral youth programming. 
● Expected Result 2: Improved dissemination of PYD evidence and learning products and uptake 
of information for design and implementation of PYD programming.
In Year 1, the YP2LE Task 1 team began to build a robust evidence base for PYD and cross-sectoral 
youth programming. The following section details the specific activities and deliverables for Task 1, 
including the cross-cutting activities for youth engagement and communications. The section also 
highlights our plans for Year 2 fiscal year 2021 (FY21). 
Accomplishments
● Established and convened the Learning Agenda Advisory Group (LAAG) Twice to 
Gather Input on the PYD Learning Agenda and Ongoing Research Studies.
● Drafted the Literature Review Report, Review of What Works in Designing 
Systems and Scaling PYD Programs. The report resulted in a series of follow-up 
interviews with members of the Youth Systems Collaborative and other youth-focused 
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 6
organizations working on systems issues. The YP2LE team will use the results of the 
interviews and meetings to elaborate additional systems-related work in Year 2.
● Reviewed More Than 24,000 Citations and Interviewed a Dozen Key Stakeholders 
as Part of the Systematic Review of the Impact of PYD on Marginalized and 
Vulnerable Youth. The result is a comprehensive, 50-page report on the definitions of 
marginalized and vulnerable youth and a summary of the literature on the impact PYD-type 
programs have on these populations. 
● Drafted a Concept Note for Designing a Youth Civic Engagement Index. The 
concept note led to several meetings with USAID/Washington and USAID/DRG about how a 
comprehensive index would contribute to USAID’s objectives around youth civic engagement. 
The YP2LE team is in the process of working with USAID to refine this activity. 
● Held Two Roundtable Discussions Related to Cross-Sectoral Programming and 
Youth Engagement, Respectively. The purpose of these roundtables was to clarify the 
knowledge gaps around both of these topics and identify what types of products and research 
would be most relevant and responsive to the needs of the sector. The result of the meetings 
led to a refinement of the research questions that we will study in the remaining years of 
YP2LE. These questions include:
a. Examining the link between PYD domains and cross-sector programming; 
b. The impact of cross-sector youth programming on poverty; 
c. The impact of cross-sector/integrated programming on food systems programming and 
policies; 
d. An outcomes analysis of the FP2020 results;
e. How engaging early age youth (pre-15) could impact their future engagement in the 
community; 
f. The contribution of youth to improving the social and emotional environment of 
schools; and 
g. Research on best practices in engaging youth as data collectors in crisis and conflict 
settings.
● Held Initial Meetings with USAID Nigeria and USAID Washington to Begin 
Planning Cross-Sector Impact Evaluation in Collaboration with the PRH Office of 
USAID. Additional meetings will be necessary before we can determine the nature of the 
impact evaluation.
● Completed a WORQ Brief for USAID Washington to Support their WORQ 
Training Modules. The result of a brief that shows Missions and implementing partners how 
to use WORQ tools as part of the data management system. 
● Developed and Implemented the Indicator Tracking System. The system allows our 
team to track results on a quarterly basis and report those results to USAID. 
● Trained YP2LE Task Leads on Designing, Collecting Data, and Reporting Indicator 
Data. The result of the training led to more accurate reporting and a final refinement of 
indicator definitions and disaggregation. 
● Conducted a Satisfaction Survey of the Learning Network, Youthpower.org and 
YouthLead.org. The result of the survey showed that 75 percent of the learning network 
are satisfied with the websites and 86 percent are satisfied with the network itself. Details of 
the survey findings are discussed later in the report. 
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 7
Satisfaction Survey Findings
Activity and Findings
Systematic Literature Review of Positive Youth Development Impacts on Marginalized 
and Vulnerable Youth
There are few measures or tools for determining the vulnerability and marginalization of youth in 
LMICs.
PYD approaches are rarely used to design youth programs.
Youth-focused programs were comparably distributed across three development sectors—health; 
democracy and governance; and economic development and education.
Of the 38 programs identified, 25 programs were single sector focused and 13 were multi-sector 
focused.
Youth-friendly public policies, community involvement, compatibility with cultural and social 
norms, and creative use of media tend to be the main facilitators of success on youth programs. 
Multicomponent, cross-sectoral interventions tend to yield more positive outcomes than 
standalone or individual programs targeting a specific issue.
The number of programs with high-quality evaluation design remains scarce, restricting our ability 
to assess program impacts.
Review of what works in designing systems and scaling Positive Youth Development 
programs
An effective innovation, even one with proven results, cannot be assumed to be immediately 
scalable. It requires a deliberate scale up strategy that considers all aspects of the scaling process, 
including organizational processes; costs and resource allocation; continuous monitoring and 
evaluation around scaling; and subsequent dissemination and advocacy for implementation at scale.
The review not only emphasizes the importance of vertical scale-up, but also the difficulties 
associated with the complexity and difficulty of institutionalizing innovations, with shortfalls and 
subsequent threats to sustainability widely documented.
NGO leadership has advantages but makes scaling and systematization more difficult.
Actors throughout the system must be engaged from the beginning and engaged in the 
sustainability strategy for scale-up to be successful.
Throughout Year 1, the team worked closely with the COR to discuss priorities for the Learning 
Agenda and convene meetings with the broader USAID youth network. The accomplishments highlight 
the integrated work completed with USAID and consortia research partners. 
✔ Two LAAG Meetings Convened. The first LAAG meeting was held on March 12, 2020. The 
meeting included selected representatives from each research partner organization as well as 
members of USAID’s research team. LAAG members provided guidance on FY20 research activities 
and other knowledge capture and cross-country activities, including any suggestions for updates to 
the PYD Learning Agenda. Meeting notes and priority research themes identified during the meeting 
were shared with LAAG members for comment. LAAG members identified systems and scaling, 
cost-effectiveness, marginalized and vulnerable youth, and behavior change as the priority themes for 
research studies in Year 1. We held the second LAAG meeting on July 29, 2020. We reviewed the 
PYD research agenda and focus of activities for Year 1. FHI360 and UNC shared updates on their 
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 8
research activities and representatives provided input on the next year’s work plan and updates 
to the PYD Learning Agenda. YP2LE continues to work with USAID and our YP2LE partners to 
identify additional potential projects and studies that can serve as options for conducting short-, 
medium-, and long-term options for contributing to the global evidence base.
✔ Youth Researcher to the LAAG On-Boarded. YP2LE worked with Restless Development to 
successfully recruit and onboard a youth researcher to help advance the PYD Learning Agenda and 
other youth-related learning agendas. The youth researcher participated in both PYD LAAG 
meetings in March and July of 2020, as well as provided feedback on youth engagement research 
priorities for Year 2 project activities. The Youth Researcher, Hilda Namakula, is expected to 
participate in future discussions on youth engagement as well as research activities related to their 
area of expertise, particularly family planning and reproductive health (FP/RH).
✔ PYD Research Priorities Advanced. The Task 1 team completed a series of activities to move the 
PYD research agenda forward in Year 1. The following list highlights the main achievements.
● Drafted Scopes of Work. After reviewing the proposed research priorities with USAID, the 
team drafted two scopes of work to be commissioned with YP2LE partners. The scopes 
included, (1) A literature review of what works in designing Systems and Scaling PYD 
programs (which includes a component focused on cost and cost-effectiveness); (2) a systematic 
review of PYD impacts on Marginalized and Vulnerable Youth. Each team shared initial findings 
at the second LAAG meeting in July; and (3) cost and cost-effectiveness of PYD programs. 
● Disseminated a Request for Expressions of Interest (EOI) to YP2LE Partners. Three 
YP2LE partner organizations responded to the systems and scaling study and four partners 
responded to the marginalized and vulnerable populations study. Partners’ responses to the EOI 
process were scored internally using a set of criteria. The YP2LE selected the team from FHI 
360 to complete the systematic review on Systems and Scaling and the Global Social 
Development Innovations team at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) to 
complete the systematic review on marginalized and vulnerable populations. The two teams 
began their respective research activities in June 2020. In September, Mathematica provided a 
SOW for completing the cost and cost-effectiveness review of PYD programs, which was 
reviewed by USAID and approved. At the time of this report, Mathematica began the study in 
November 2020 and is in the process of reviewing youth projects to document common 
interventions.
● Initiated a Systematic Literature Review of Positive Youth Development Impacts 
on Marginalized and Vulnerable Youth. The UNC team began research in June 2020. 
Biweekly meetings were held to assess progress, share updates, and address emerging questions. 
“There are a lot of (young) people wandering in the streets, some of them could be key 
resources for the country, but we are not taking care of them. In some countries, structures 
exist to take care of them, coach them and help them to grow.” — Donor, Morocco
“Poor and weak education system creates weak and incompetent generations.” — Youth 
Consultative Body
“because for them, marriage is an exit door and gateway to freedom. These are girls who 
have no freedom and who are deprived of dreams by being single, they cannot go out, 
they cannot travel. Those wanting to study cannot go far” — Female Youth Researcher, 
Mauritania
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 9
The UNC Team identified more than 24,000 potential citations during their initial review of the 
literature. Based on exclusion criteria, the team eventually reduced the number of full text 
articles to approximately 600 references. We worked closely with UNC throughout the year to 
extend their timeline as a result of the unprecedented number of citations the team reviewed. 
UNC also completed a youth focus group discussion (FGDs) and approximately eight key 
informant interviews (KIIs) with youth development stakeholder and vulnerable and marginalized 
youth to supplement review findings. The draft report will be shared with internal YP2LE staff 
for review in late October 2020. Draft review deliverables will be peer-reviewed by two LAAG 
representatives for more in-depth feedback before finalizing and being shared with USAID in 
November of 2020. Findings from these studies will be used to inform updates to the PYD 
Learning Agenda and will be posted under the PYD Learning Agenda topics located on 
YouthPower.org. 
● Completed Literature Review on Scaling-Up of PYD and Youth Programs. FHI360 
began their literature review in June 2020. Bi-weekly check in meetings with the FHI360 team 
were held to assess progress and problem-solve challenges. Based on a series of challenges, the 
scope of the FHI360 literature review was substantively reduced to focus only on PYD 
programming. The cost-effectiveness analysis was eliminated from the review. FHI360 submitted 
their final report in September 2020. After the review of the report, a series of products were 
identified that will complement this initial review and will be completed in Year 2. The 
complementary products include a five to seven page brief with additional literature and case 
studies; a revised scope of work (SOW) with a structured outline to answer primary research 
questions, including key informant interviews (KIIs); a summary of findings from KIIs systems 
experts on the Youth Systems Collaborative, LAAG, and other stakeholders; content 
development for a “What Works” page; and a cost-effectiveness framework for PYD 
programming. These products are already underway as part of YP2LE’s approved Year 2 
workplan. 
● Made Headway on Additional Research. Topics research include cross-sectoral impacts of 
PYD on youth and on the effectiveness of youth engagement in PYD programming. The team 
held two roundtable discussions to clarify the knowledge gaps around cross-sectoral impacts of 
PYD on youth and the effectiveness of youth engagement in PYD programming and identify
areas for further research. The discussion on youth engagement included key stakeholders from 
USAID and representatives from YP2LE partners: Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), Restless 
Development, and the University of Melbourne. The discussion on cross-sectoral impacts also 
included USAID and representatives from YP2LE partners: the International Center for 
Research on Women (ICRW), NORC, UNC, and the University of Washington. The roundtable 
discussions generated numerous ideas for potential products and long-term studies, including 
approaches to build on previously completed and ongoing USAID studies. 
YP2LE finalized and shared the notes from the meetings with LAAG members prior to the 
second LAAG meeting. Key cross-sectoral topics identified in these discussions included: (1) 
examining the link between PYD domains and cross-sector programming; (2) the impact of 
cross-sector youth programming on poverty; (3) the impact of cross-sector/integrated 
programming on food systems programming and policies; and (4) an outcomes analysis of the 
FP2020 results. Youth engagement topics of interest included (1) engagement of early age youth 
“Youth that participated in our focus groups want to be engaged in their communities, 
but they don’t know how or where to engage. There is no system in place to help youth 
understand how they can help and where they can go to become more civically active.” 
— Donor Participant
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 10
(pre-15) and their future engagement in communities; (2) the contribution of youth to improving 
social and emotional environment in schools, particularly in a COVID-19 context; (3) engaging 
youth as researchers and best practices to collect data in conflict and crisis-affected settings; (4) 
best practices for measuring youth engagement; and (5) program design related to youth 
engagement. YP2LE identified two main studies in partnership with USAID following these 
roundtable meetings. First, YP2LE plans to conduct a qualitative secondary analysis of the 
FP2020 results and, if appropriate, develop a policy brief that synthesizes the learnings around 
accountability and youth engagement for USAID. Second, we will partner with PRH, 
USAID/Nigeria, and DAI, to design an impact evaluation of the YPower for Adolescent Health 
Program that focuses on the cross-sector impacts on family planning and workforce 
development among urban youth. As part of this impact evaluation, we will explore whether we 
can also measure any impacts of youth engagement interventions. 
● Youth Civic Engagement Index Concept Note Drafted. The REL Manager, Lead 
Technical Advisor, and YP2LE partner ICRW worked together to develop a concept note that 
explores the possible use of a Youth Civic Engagement Index to be displayed as a dashboard on 
Youthlead.org. The concept note is intended to define youth civic engagement and its key 
correlates, youth civic engagement in programming, and historical approaches to measuring 
youth civic engagement; in addition to outlining the purpose, foundational frameworks, and 
implementation process for the Youth Civic Engagement Index. The concept note has been 
drafted with 20 proposed indicators for measuring youth civic engagement from the perspective 
of youth, specifically regarding youth’s perceptions of community engagement, opinions on 
public institutions and related engagement, and beliefs and behaviors related to advocacy and 
activism. The draft note and indicators were shared with USAID in September of 2020, and 
initial feedback was provided to the YP2LE internal team. In the upcoming quarter, meetings will 
be held with other USAID stakeholders carrying out youth civic engagement activities to discuss 
areas of shared interest and potential collaboration. Based on these meetings, the Youth Civic 
Engagement Index will be finalized with a plan to pilot test the index in 2021.
● WORQ Tool Developed. At USAID’s request in April 2020, YP2LE developed a brief 
guidance document for Missions to implement the Workforce Outcomes Reporting 
Questionnaire (WORQ) tool, which provides background on the development of the WORQ 
tool and the measurement properties of the four WORQ assessments; recommendations for 
when to use each assessment and related decision points for implementing partners; guidance 
and a conceptual framework for data quality assurance and management; and links to related 
tools and points of contact. YP2LE drafted the brief and met with USAID for feedback to refine 
its focus. The guidance document is undergoing final edits and design before being publicly 
disseminated to Missions and other stakeholders in November 2020.
● Cost-effectiveness of PYD Programming Study Initiated. YP2LE research partner 
Mathematica drafted a proposed SOW to develop a framework for using PYD features to 
measure the cost-effectiveness of PYD programming. The activity will involve completion of the 
following tasks: 1) a review of USAID cost guidance, YouthPower, other youth programs, and 
studies on cost and cost-effectiveness; 2) analysis of data from reviewed documents and 
development of a framework to support doing cost-effectiveness research using the PYD-
“Participants mentioned the fact that it was the first time that people went out to solicit 
them, collect their ideas and take them into account without any judgement. These 
people feel valued and so having discussion forums and opportunities for them to think 
and act within their communities is important.” — Youth Focus Groups, Mauritania
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 11
specific features; and 3) development of a brief synthesizing review findings, the PYD cost 
effectiveness framework, and guidance for youth programs. The activity will complement on￾going USAID cost and cost-effectiveness activities but will be geared towards an external 
audience. The SOW was approved as part of the Year 2 workplan.
✔ ITT Priorities Advanced. Throughout the first year, the YP2LE research team developed, 
implemented, and guided the M&E reporting system. 
● Indicator Training for YP2LE Task Leads Completed. The YP2LE Technical lead held a 
training workshop in September to help team members understand how to design indicators, 
collect accurate data, and report ITT results. The two-hour seminar used existing indicators 
and helped the team break down the indicator components, revise definitions to be clearer, and 
understand the differences between indicators and data. The objective of the training was to 
help all YP2LE members collect and report accurate information. 
● Satisfaction Survey Related to the Learning Network, YouthPower.org and 
YouthLead.org Implemented. The YP2E M&E team designed and implemented a survey to 
collect information related to the satisfaction levels of learning network members. The survey 
consisted of 17 questions that gathered information on the newsletter, participation in the 
network, and recent changes to the configuration of the network. Of the 504 people who 
consented to take the survey, 290 respondents said they were engaged in the YouthPower 
Learning Network and up to 249 respondents answered questions from that section. The 
majority of survey respondents were male (64 percent) and 58 percent fell into the age bracket 
of 25-34 years. The overall satisfaction level of learning network members is 86 percent. The 
average satisfaction varies among different categories of participants. USAID Missions are the 
least satisfied (77 percent satisfaction level) while implementing partners, NGOs, and host 
country governments tended to have the highest satisfaction levels (87 percent). Male members 
were slightly more satisfied (87 percent) compared to female respondents (84 percent), but 
those percentages could easily change if more women had responded to the survey. When we 
looked at overall satisfaction by sector, learning network members in the agriculture, food 
security, and nutrition sector were the most satisfied (92 percent satisfaction levels) followed 
closely by members in the health sector (89 percent satisfaction level). Detailed results from 
the satisfaction survey are located in Annex II. 
Youth Engagement in Task 1
YP2LE worked with Restless Development to successfully recruit and onboard a youth researcher to 
advance the PYD Learning Agenda and other youth-related learning activities. The Youth Research 
Advisor participated in the PYD LAAG meetings held March 12 and July 20, which identified and set 
priority themes for research in FY20 and FY21. The Task 1 team connected with the Youth Research 
Advisor to ensure input was incorporated into the research agenda. Throughout FY20, the Youth 
Research Advisor was engaged in research activities, including a one-on-one meeting following the 
roundtable discussion with USAID and YP2LE partner organizations on youth engagement research 
priorities and opportunities. The Youth Research Advisor provided feedback on USAID’s shared 
priorities for youth engagement research (e.g., youth engagement, SEL in school environments, and the 
COVID-19 pandemic). Her input was incorporated into the research priorities summary table from the 
LAAG.
Communications in Task I
During FY20, the Communications team worked with the Task 1 team to develop and finalize products 
and documents to aid their Task 1 activities, such as the graphic for the LAAG meetings, PowerPoint 
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 12
editing, and publication editing and design. In addition, the communications team provided consultation, 
editing, graphic design, and dissemination of the YP2LE satisfaction survey across our varies platforms. 
Task 2: 
As outlined in the RFQ, under this task YP2LE shall manage a cross-sectoral PYD Learning Network in 
which YP and YP2 implementing partners, other youth development practitioners, donors, stakeholders 
(including youth), and USAID staff share evidence and best practices from cross-sectoral PYD. 
● Expected Result 1: Improved knowledge, skills, practices, and partnerships around international, 
cross-sectoral PYD. 
● Expected Result 2: Increased number of traditional and non-traditional partners collaborating, 
sharing, disseminating, and applying PYD lessons learned and best practices. 
The following accomplishments demonstrate the progress made in Year 1 to achieving the Expected 
Results in the RFQ and the goals and objectives outlined in the YP2LE Year 1 Annual Workplan.
Accomplishments
● Completed Learning Network (LN) assessment report, resulting in a better understanding of 
community members’ needs.
● Completed LN strategy resulting in a more flexible LN structure to support different types of 
communities and groups sharing knowledge and learning
● Created and launched new LN, including the first three new Communities of Practice.
● Implemented Collaboration Group activities including webinars, meetings, and a video to 
showcase private-sector engagement and to ensure that learnings from implementation projects 
are captured before they are closed.
During Year 1 (FY20), the YP2LE Task 2 team accomplished the following. 
Learning Network Activities
✔ Stakeholder Map Created. Through discussions with the Sr. KM Specialist and YouthPower 
Learning Team members, YP2LE partner, Global Knowledge Initiative (GKI), created an initial 
stakeholder map by sorting them into the following groups, which were used for interview and 
survey purposes: 
● CoP co-champions (current and former)
● CoP members
● YouthPower Learning leadership 
● YouthLead members (including mentors and ambassadors)
● Private-sector contacts
● USAID missions
● Newsletter subscribers (YouthPower or YouthLead)
● YouthPower.org or YouthLead.org website visitors
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 13
The grouping guided the mapping process and were reflected in the invitations for the co-creation 
sessions. The mapping led to the creation of personae and informed the interviews during the 
testing phase for the strategy. The personae developed were: youth project practitioner (including 
YP2LE implementing partners as a subcategory), other sector project practitioner (with work 
intersecting with youth), youth leader, member or leader of locally led youth organization, member 
or leader of locally led other sector organization (with work intersecting with youth in some way), 
private-sector representative, and foundation representative. 
✔ Learning Network Assessment Activities Conducted. During the second quarter of FY20, 
GKI led network assessment activities that included reviewing documents and conducting key 
informant interviews, administering a survey of community of practice members, and administering a 
survey of the broader learning network. 
✔ Learning Network Listening Report Completed. The Learning Network Listening Report was 
completed based on input from the assessment. The report was completed in Q3 and submitted to 
USAID for review during the first co-creation session on June 2. The document provides an 
overview and analysis of feedback on experience of YouthPower Learning’s (YPL) Communities of 
Practice, youth networks, and other Learning Network activities, and recommendation to enhance 
the Learning Network. 
✔ Learning Network Co-Creation Sessions Designed and Delivered. The YP2LE team 
designed, planned, and completed a virtual co-creation session with USAID and four virtual co￾creation sessions with a cross-section of network members to gather input for the membership, 
structure, format, and processes of the new Learning Network. The findings and materials from the 
Listening Report formed the basis of the co-creation meetings in June, which served to enhance the 
effectiveness of the Learning Network, including the Communities of Practice. 
✔ Learning Network Strategy Finalized. The YP2LE team used the findings from the co-creation 
sessions to develop a Learning Network strategy and structure that provides more flexibility and 
agility to support different types of communities and groups sharing knowledge and learning. The 
strategy was shared and tested with a selection of co-creation session participants and USAID for 
testing.
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 14
✔ New Learning Network Launched. The new Learning Network was launched in Q4 of Year 1. 
A key activity was the introduction of three Communities of Practice (CoP). 
● Business, Entrepreneurship, and Private-Sector Engagement: This CoP is focused 
on building skills in entrepreneurship and on collaboration with the private sector. Open to 
all sectors, the CoP will have an emphasis on agriculture initially, adding other sectors such 
as health, education, or transport based on member interest. 
● Gender: Focused on integrated youth-centered and gender-transformative programming 
through positive youth development.
o Additional groups are being evaluated either as CoPs, affinity groups, or targeted 
working/learning groups (e.g., WORQs, Passages, workforce development and 
higher education, collaboration with the Global Collaborative on Youth in Peace and 
Security).
● Youth Engagement: Focused on meaningful youth engagement in all aspects of youth 
programming.
✔ Learning Network Leaders and Facilitators Recruited. The Sr. KM Specialist is the Learning 
Network Leader. The Communities Manager for the Learning Network is filled by YP2LE partner, 
GKI. The CoP Champions for two of the new CoPs have been identified, and the process for 
selecting the third champion will be finalized in Quarter1 of Year 2. The YP2LE team launched a call 
for applications for CoP Youth Advisors, and the selection process is underway. We selected the 
new CoP champions and co-champion/youth advisors for each CoP: Heather Marlow (Gender CoP 
Champion), Shillah Salim (Gender CoP Youth Advisor), Lara Goldmark (Business, Entrepreneurship 
and PSE CoP Champion), Jack Omondi (Business, Entrepreneurship and PSE CoP Youth Advisor), 
Aapurv Jain (Youth Engagement CoP Champion), and Balkis Chaabane (Youth Engagement CoP 
Youth Advisor). Throughout the process we have engaged with the YAG member, Zwelithini 
Matsoso.
In parallel with the launch of the new LN, we started planning the first LN-wide webinar series on 
systems mapping. This three-part webinar series is being offered to the broader LN as a skill￾building activity with the option to receive a certificate of participation after taking a quiz.
Collaboration Group Activities
✔ Collaboration Group Meeting Held (In-Person) January 2020. 48 people attended the 
meeting held in Washington, D.C. on January 24, 2020. In attendance were representatives from 
USAID, currently funded YouthPower1 Task Orders (TOs), and other relevant stakeholders, 
including youth organizations that had received a grant under YPL. All YouthPower TOs had 
representation at the meeting. The theme for the meeting was How to Create a Successful Enabling 
Environment for Youth Projects with the main goal of sharing experiences and best practices. In 
small groups, participants shared best practices and challenges based on project experiences, as well 
as other learnings. Participants received the presentations and a meeting summary following the 
meeting to facilitate knowledge sharing.
✔ Collaboration Team Activities Designed. Individualized calls were conducted with 
YouthPower Task order recipients. Given field teams were unable to participate in the collaboration 
“It is biggest youth network for young people who are agents of change and being part 
will provide a wider platform/higher grounds for connection, sharing knowledge and as 
well a greater learning process as a leader in my communities.” — Male, aged 25-29
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 15
team meeting, follow-up calls were organized to identify interests in learning topics, gather 
information on resources for sharing amongst team members, and determine the preferred method 
for communication. Based on this information, a series of recommendations were developed which 
led to the regular webinars with the collaboration team.
✔ Collaboration Webinars Hosted. Based on feedback from the task order teams and the inability 
to have in-person meetings due to the COVID-19 epidemic, USAID approved to replace the April 
in-person meeting with regular webinars, quarterly topical meetings, and knowledge-sharing 
activities from implementation projects.
● K-YES and YouthPower Jordan shared in the first monthly webinar on July 22. The presentations 
focused project impact and ability to pivot due to COVID-19. 
● Puentes para el Empleo from El Salvador shared their insights on how to engage with the private 
sector in a second webinar that was held on September 23. The project team was joined by one 
of their private-sector partners, the local IBM organization. In addition, representatives from the 
newly selected Addendum under APS, Youth Excel, which is led by IREX, also joined the 
webinar.
✔ Video Product Developed. To share good practices about private-sector engagement from El 
Salvador a video was produced in collaboration with YP2LE partner, Cloudburst, using the Puentes 
para el Empleo project to demonstrate the positive impact of collaboration with the private sector. 
The video has been completed and is under final review by USAID.
Youth Engagement in Task 2 
The Senior Youth Engagement Advisor worked with the YouthLead team to identify and onboard a 
YAG member to serve as the Learning Network Steering Committee liaison. In this role, the YAG 
member advises on youth engagement strategies and approaches for the Learning Network and its 
related activities. He participates in the LN Steering Committee meetings and, in FY21, will join the 
Group Leaders Cohort monthly meetings that consists of knowledge sharing, capacity strengthening, and 
idea generation and brainstorming about CoP Champions, CoP Youth Advisors, and Affinity Group 
needs. In FY20, the YAG member participated in the virtual co-creation sessions in June 2020 with 
USAID that informed the Learning Network strategy and design, and he also attended the Learning 
Network kick off meeting held in October 2020. In addition, he helped to test the Google groups form 
designed by GKI that will be used by Network members to propose CoPs, affinity groups, and small 
groups. 
Communications in Task 2
The Communications team worked with the Senior Knowledge Management Specialist and GKI on the 
editing, layout, and dissemination of the LN Listening Survey, invitations, and the corresponding reports. 
In addition, the team assisted in the launch of the Learning Network through the dissemination of the 
invitation to the CoP introductory webinar and assisted with the facilitation of the webinar. The team 
also collaborated with the Senior Knowledge Management Specialist and Cloudburst on the creation of 
the Puentes para Empleo video. The video will be disseminated in early FY21.
Task 3: 
YP2LE made progress in Year 1 toward the achievement of the Expected Results as outlined in the RFQ 
and in the goals and objectives as outlined in the approved Year 1 YP2LE Annual Workplan.
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 16
Expected Result 1: Increased number of stakeholders informed by evidence, knowledge, and data on 
international, cross-sectoral, positive youth development programming and able to apply evidence to 
programming. 
Expected Result 2: Increased engagement of youth-led and youth-serving organizations and young 
changemakers in USAID and other programs and networks. 
Expected Result 3: Increased application of PYD evidence and best practices within USAID and other 
programming as appropriate. 
Accomplishments:
YouthPower.org and YouthLead.org received high visibility and usage
Source: Google Analytics
● Curated, tagged, and posted content on YouthLead.org and YouthPower.org.
● Developed two new ‘what works’ pages on very young adolescents and first-time parents.
● Created new product pages/microsites.
● Maintained and developed Country pages.
● Grew YouthLead membership to over 10,000 registered members.
● Updated navigation and search capability.
● Established and onboarded the YAG and engaged members across YP2LE tasks. 
● Supported and graduated second cohort of 19 YouthLead Ambassadors (YLA) and seven Peer 
Advisors. 
● Initiated the YouthLead mentorship initiative. 
● Finalized SOW for the development of the YP2LE Private-Sector Engagement (PSE) strategy. 
● Developed concept for Youth Civic Engagement Index.
✔ YouthLead.org Enhanced. YP2LE reviewed, approved, and published a total of 1203 new 
resources, 718 events, 284 projects, and 487 funding opportunities in addition to monitoring 1662 
discussion postings. YouthLead members were asking questions about volunteering opportunities, 
asked for advice on personality traits, or how to end a rape culture, just to name a few examples.
✔ YouthPower.org Enhanced. YP2LE created content for YouthPower.org, including the 
preparation of draft text for the Youth Center Toolkit as well as posting and tagging relevant new 
content. Efforts included posting 576 new resources, 182 events, and 28 news items. As the new 
discussion groups were launched on YouthPower.org, YP2LE also monitored 57 new discussions. 
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 17
✔ YouthLead and YouthPower Membership/Networks Expanded. Over the course of the 
year, 5167 YouthLead.org applicants and 5012 new members were approved. The 10,000 members 
threshold was passed for a total reach of 10,889 YouthLead members by September 30, 2020. On 
YouthPower.org, YP2LE added the ability for users to join as members and join new discussion 
groups. This capability was promoted in September 2020 with the launch of the new Learning 
Network. By September 30, 2020, 398 new members were approved on YouthPower.org.
YouthLead Membership grew from 4,800 to almost 10,900
Source: YouthLead.org membership
YouthLead members are primarily interested in Education, Gender, Democracy, Human Rights and 
Governance, and Economic Growth and Entrepreneurship sectors
“The site has many useful resources and a wealth of information.” — Female participant, 
35+
“Given my work in capacity building and business support that I offer to the youth and 
corporate institutions, the content from the newsletters especially the links to the various 
resources offer me extra information to better support the different sets of people that I 
work with.” — Male, aged 25-29
“As an educator, sometimes you get stuck in trying to innovate lessons. The newsletter 
helps me create and envision new lessons from the ideas I read.” — Female, aged 25-29
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 18
Source: YouthLead.org member profiles
✔ New What Works Pages Created: YP2LE developed content for a new page on very young 
adolescents and another on first-time parents. The content is still under review by USAID. Several 
other pages have undergone minor updates.
✔ New Microsite Pages Created on YouthPower.org. The content for “Youth Center Toolkit: 
Creating Safe Spaces, Youth Centers, and After-School Programs” was drafted under YouthPower 
Learning (YPL). As the content was being finalized and edited, the team began creating the toolkit 
for the website. The PDF-version of the text has been designed, and final edits are being 
incorporated based on USAID feedback. Completion and publishing of the online version of the 
toolkit is expected in November 2020, with a launch to be held sometime in February.
✔ Site Navigation Updated. Developed and completed a YouthLead.org and YouthPower.org 
transition plan by early May. The communications team implemented the transition plan in 
conjunction with the Senior Knowledge Management Specialist that seamlessly transitioned both 
platforms as well as the social media channels from YPL to YP2LE. This transition included writing a 
news post, adjusting project descriptions throughout the website, changing the logos (rebranding), 
and updating the About sections on our social media platforms. The YouthPower.org rebrand 
consisted of an update of the About page, creation of project pages for YP2LE and YP2, Annual 
Program Statement, and a restructured navigation for the Projects menu to accommodate the 
YouthPower2 project pages. Several of the navigation items that were specific to YouthPower 
Learning or YouthPower1 implementation projects, were taken off the navigation but remain on the 
website.
✔ New Country and Initiatives Pages on YouthLead.org Created and Managed. Seven new 
country pages and two special initiatives pages were developed on YouthLead.org during FY20. The 
pages included Generation Unlimited, Youth-led Acts of Good, and country pages for: Cambodia, 
Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, Kenya, and República Dominicana. In 
collaboration with the Community, Family, and Youth Resilience Program (CFYR) project in the 
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 19
Caribbean, YP2LE participated in a webinar to promote YouthLead. These existing country pages 
added over 7,299 pageviews in FY20.
✔ Starter Kits pages created to provide young changemakers with easy access to key resources on 
topics of their interest.
Example: Youthlead Cambodia page
Example: Starter Kit page for Connecting Youth to Agriculture
✔ Traffic on YouthPower.org and YouthLead.org Increased. YouthLead.org had 802,195 
pageviews from 157,364 unique users in FY20. Users from USA, Nigeria, Kenya, Myanmar, Nepal, 
India, and South Africa are the countries with the highest number of users. During FY20, 365,031 
pages were viewed on YouthPower.org by 124,526 unique users, and the United States, Nigeria, 
Kenya, India, UK, Philippines, and South Africa accounted for the majority of the users.
✔ YouthLead.org and YouthPower.org Discussion Groups were Created and Maintained. 
The YP2LE team monitored 1662 discussion postings on YouthLead.org. The discussion groups are 
used to promote new YP2LE products or campaigns, engage youth in discussions during specific 
international days (e.g., International Youth Day) as well as enable peer-to-peer discussions among
youth on topics of their interest. On YouthPower.org, this functionality was only recently enabled, 
and 57 postings have been monitored to date. The discussion group functionality on 
YouthPower.org will support the new CoPs; three new discussion groups have been created: 
Gender, Youth Engagement, and Business/Entrepreneurship and Private-Sector Engagement.
✔ Arabic- and French-Speaking YouthLead Sites Developed. After completing the technology 
enhancement on the YouthLead.org site for the navigation in French and Arabic, YP2LE hired 
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 20
content management consultants to post new content in Arabic and French, as well as maintain the 
Spanish-language site. The French and Arabic site are being tested, and once sufficient content has 
been posted, the sites will be launched in FY21.
YouthLead Arabic Site
YouthLead French Site
✔ Website Management Strengthened. Completed and submitted the required forms for 
YouthPower.org and YouthLead.org for the Privacy Impact Assessment and 508-compliance to the 
COR for USAID CIO approval. Several functionality changes on the platforms were implemented to 
reflect comments from CIO’s office staff (e.g., strengthening 508-compliance and slightly changing 
the collection of certain personally identifiable information (PII)).
✔ Continued YouthLead Sponsor Engagement. Continued to engage sponsors in YouthLead 
campaign activities: Stop-the-Spread and YouthLead Acts of Good campaigns. Sponsors leveraged 
the social media messages and broadened the reach of the campaigns through their own social 
media and newsletters. Sponsors also amplified the calls for new YouthLead Ambassadors and the 
YAG group. Several sponsors provided speakers and facilitators for the International Youth Day 
webinar. We have held discussions with potential new sponsors and are close to confirming 
agreements with two new sponsors. 
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 21
Youth-led Acts of Good Campaign graphic
Youth Engagement in Task 3
In FY20, the YouthLead Youth Engagement team advanced the priority activities in the following ways:
✔ On-boarded Atlas Corps Fellow. To fully integrate a youth voice onto our YP2LE team, a Youth 
Atlas Corps Fellow was recruited and onboarded to support youth engagement activities under 
YP2LE as the Youth Engagement Fellow (YE Fellow). The new Fellow began in May 2020, supervised 
by the Senior Youth Engagement (YE) Advisor. The Senior YE Advisor also took over management 
of one of our existing YE Fellows, who worked on youth engagement activities until August 2020. 
The YE Fellows provide direct support to cross-cutting youth engagement activities with a particular 
focus on YouthLead. He also leads the YouthLead Ambassador program for Cohorts 3 and 4 in 
FY21, advises on capacity strengthening and communications activities as needed, and regularly 
communicates with YAG members, YouthLead Ambassadors, and Peer Advisors for outreach, 
consultations, and assistance with survey and resource dissemination to the YouthLead Network. In 
FY20, the YE Fellow helped support the graduation of the second cohort of 19 YouthLead 
Ambassadors and first cohort of seven Peer Advisors in July 2020 and has led the recruitment and 
selection process for YLA Cohort 3, launched in October 2020 (anticipated to be completed 
November 2020). In addition, the YE Fellow provided input on the development of a concept for 
capacity strengthening activities in FY21.
“I hope to get skills such as communication, leadership and build more connections which 
will help me to increase the impact in my community.” — Male, aged 18-24
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 22
✔ Plan for New Capacity Building Trainings for Youth Lead Members Developed. In 
September 2020, the Senior YE Advisor drafted a concept and timeline for at least four capacity 
building trainings in FY21. The purpose is to provide youth in the YouthLead network with hands-on 
sessions designed to deepen and build their skills in ways that can support their work as young 
changemakers. Capacity building trainings will run parallel to the campaigns led by YouthLead 
Ambassador cohorts during their six-month fellowships, and in addition to other knowledge sharing 
and informational events and webinars on YouthLead. Capacity Building trainings will offer YP2LE 
youth engagement partners and YouthLead sponsors a clear path for youth engagement with 
YouthLead members, bringing their expertise to young people in the network. The plan to 
incorporate new Capacity Building trainings was reviewed by the YE Fellow, YAG member Capacity
Building Lead, and youth engagement partner Bojan Boskovic, who agreed on the overall approach 
and next steps. The plan includes a network-wide survey in early FY21 to identify priority topics for 
building skills (e.g., project management, communication, digital platforms, advocacy) among young 
people, and a call for proposals from YP2LE partners and YouthLead sponsors to lead capacity 
building sessions on these topics.
✔ PSE Concept Note for YP2LE Developed. The team developed a concept note for engaging 
multi-national, private-sector companies in PYD early in FY20. Based on further discussions with 
USAID, it was determined that more internal (USAID) discussion was needed to ensure alignment 
and coordination on next steps. Due to USAID missions being focused on COVID-response 
planning, USAID suggested we would put the concept on hold until USAID/W was able to better 
engage missions on this. Based on this feedback and coordination in support of PSE, a draft SOW for 
a Partnerships Advisor that will address PSE across the full YP2LE project was submitted at the 
beginning of Year 2 and at the time of this report, is currently under review. The main objectives of 
the SOW include the development of a 10-12 page strategy that includes: 1) the identification of one 
to two priority private-sector partners for collaboration in support of USAID’s PYD Learning 
Agenda or other research activities; and 2) recommendations for USAID Missions on how to 
integrate youth issues and priorities into their Private-Sector Engagement Action Plans.
✔ YAG Developed and Engaged. The Senior YE Advisor worked with the YE Fellow and its youth 
engagement partner, Restless Development, to develop an annually rotating, seven-member YAG to 
help advise on meaningful youth engagement and leadership across all YP2LE tasks. YAG members 
meet bi-monthly in all-YAG meetings and have one-to-one check-in calls with the Senior YE Advisor 
to track progress and provide support, structure, and guidance on their specific roles in research, 
communications, advocacy, collaboration with the LN, capacity strengthening of youth organizations, 
and the development of a YouthLead mentoring program. YAG members are asked to provide ‘end 
user’ feedback on learning products, technical reports, and webinar topics. Two seats on the YAG 
are dedicated to graduates of the YouthLead Ambassador program. 
● In FY20, terms of reference were developed to define the roles of the YAG and to inform the 
recruitment of the YAG members. Recruitment was initiated in April 2020. YP2LE launched, 
identified, recruited, and completed the onboarding process for seven YAG members, selected 
from among 1,300 candidates. The seven-member YAG includes young changemakers from 
Bolivia, Kenya, Lesotho, Mauritius, Nepal, the West Bank, and Uganda. (See Annex 3) A YAG 
Kick-Off Meeting was held in May 2020 to orient members to the project and their respective 
roles and points of contact under Tasks 1 – 4. The YAG also participated in a group co-creation 
process to agree on the purpose, goals, and modes of engagement as members of the YAG. 
One-to-one check-ins with individual YAG members to track progress were held in July 2020 
and follow on one-to-one calls were held in September 2020 to discuss anticipated activities 
under their respective roles and Tasks for FY21. In FY20, YAG members were engaged across 
task in activities that included the PYD LAAG meetings and research products; the review of the 
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 23
YouthLead Ambassador program; the co-creation and development of the LN; a review of the 
mentorship youth survey; and the concept for FY21 capacity strengthening activities. The team 
regularly communicates with YAG members between scheduled calls and meetings via 
WhatsApp to address questions and engage members in additional opportunities, including 
special YouthLead events (e.g., the International Youth Day webinar, “Youth in the Lead: 
Engagement for Global Action,” in August 2020, where YAG members served in session
facilitation roles). 
● In FY20, the second cohort of 19 YLAs and first ever cohort of Peer Advisors 
(PAs)successfully graduated in July 2020. Over the course of their fellowship, YLAs co￾hosted nine learning events and campaigns, many of which addressed the impacts of the COVID￾19 pandemic on their work and communities. YLAs and PAs helped to support our global 
campaign in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Youth-Led Acts of Good. Before the 
completion of their program, YLAs and PAs also participated in a call with USAID (i.e., Nancy 
Taggart, Mike McCabe, and Hillary Taft) to help the agency understand how YLAs have been 
responding to the pandemic and to gather feedback on how we can better connect and grow 
the YouthLead network to other global youth networks.
● In August and September 2020, our team planned the next cycle for the third cohort of YLAs 
and PAs. This planning included an after-action review with our team, and a youth consultation
with past and recently graduated YLAs and PAs as well as two YAG members who serve as YLA 
Liaisons. Young changemakers were invited to share their experiences and make 
recommendations for how we can continue to grow and strengthen the program, which were 
incorporated into the FY21 workplan and Cohort 3 Call for Applications that was launched in 
September 2020. In round one, our team received 3,124 applications for 22 YLA openings. The 
Senior YE Advisor and YE Fellow screened applications based on completion and candidate 
qualifications, narrowing the pool of applications to 2,200. We also recruited reviewers from 
among our team, former YLAs and PAs, and our youth engagement partners and YouthLead 
sponsors. In round two, the top 200 candidates were selected and prepared for round three, 
which will narrow the finalists to the top 30 and include interviews with our team and assigned 
YAG members in November 2020. 
✔ Mentorship Initiative on YouthLead.org Initiated. The mentorship activity for YouthLead.org 
will enhance the support provided to its 10,000 young changemakers by offering access to a vetted 
mentor network, as well as resources, tools, webinars, trainings, and other events that focus on 
mentorship as a way to enhance leadership skills. YP2LE will take a youth-centered approach to the 
activity by connecting directly with young changemakers to understand demand for resources and 
information about mentorship and coaching. YouthLead sponsors and YP2LE’s youth engagement 
partners will support mentorship activities by participating in mentoring, providing tools and 
resources, and hosting trainings and events. Finally, YP2LE will reach out to private-sector partners 
that support youth development activities to discuss opportunities for employer engagement and 
mentorship through the YouthLead mentor network. 
● In FY20, the Senior YE Advisor developed and finalized a mentorship concept and SOW in 
collaboration with youth engagement partner Restless Development and YAG member, Edna 
Tukiko. The concept outlined an approach to gathering youth input through a mentorship 
survey designed by Restless Development, as well as outreach to YouthLead sponsors and 
YP2LE youth engagement partners to understand their current activities related to mentorship. 
The concept also identified mentorship objectives and deliverables that include: 1) a network of 
vetted mentors for the YouthLead.org platform who can provide career support and assistance; 
2) a page on the platform that provides searchable material (e.g., resources, tools, and other 
information) on recruiting and cultivating mentors, engaging with mentors, and developing 
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 24
mentorship programs in your community; and 3) a schedule of trainings and events on 
mentorship-related topics hosted by YouthLead sponsors, YP2LE youth engagement partners, 
and potential private-sector partners. 
Communications in Task 3:
The Communication team collaborated with the Task Leads on the achievements listed above. Other 
achievements during the year include:
✔ YP2LE and YouthLead Webinars, Meetings, and Events Supported. The communications 
team designed invitations, webpages, and collected RSVPs held during FY20. The team also 
provided technical support in the facilitation of the events.
✔ Youth-led Acts of Good Campaign Communications Strategy Designed and Supported. 
The Communications team developed a communications strategy that pivoted the YouthLead 
COVID-19 #StoptheSpread campaign, which launched on Global Youth Service Days, April 17-19, 
2020, to the Youth-led Acts of Good campaign, which ended on July 15, 2020. The campaign targeted 
young changemakers and highlighted youth-led service efforts, particularly those linked to the 
COVID-19 pandemic. The communications strategy included creating a more engaging campaign 
page, creating “a look” for the campaign, social media graphics and posts that promoted the 
campaign, creating a social media frame for those who made pledges to include on their social media 
profile, gathering stories about the pledgers, sharing the plan with partners to encourage 
cooperation, and maintaining an active social media presence surrounding the campaign by 
retweeting and reposting content from our followers. The Youth-led Acts of Good call to action and 
pledge summaries generated nearly 2,000 pageviews. Using the social media hashtags 
#YLActsofGood and #YouthLedActsofGood, additional combined outcomes included a social media 
reach of 176,976; 4,210 interactions; 2,959 likes, and 1,130 shares. 
Youth-led Acts of Good Social Media Campaign Graphic
Task 4: 
As outlined in the RFQ, under Task 4 YP2LE will provide rapid response technical support to USAID 
Missions and Washington-based operating units (OUs) for the design, implementation, and evaluation of 
cross-sectoral PYD programs/activities/strategies, as needed, through field support buy-ins. In Year 1, 
YP2LE made progress toward the achievement of this objective and of the Expected Results as outlined, 
and in achievement of the goals and objectives in the approved Year 1 YP2LE workplan.
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 25
● Expected Result 1: Increased number of USAID-funded activities and policies designed based on 
PYD approach and evidence. 
● Expected Result 2: USAID staff and partners have increased knowledge of country- and sector￾specific youth systems. 
● Expected Result 3: USAID staff and partners have increased capacity to design, manage, and 
evaluate PYD programs based on evidence and best practices. 
● Expected Result 4: Increased inclusion of youth, youth-led organizations (YLOs), and youth￾serving organizations (YSOs) in the design, implementation, and evaluation of PYD activities and 
policies throughout the program cycle.
Accomplishments:
After receiving approval for our Rapid Response Technical Support Plan as part of our Year 1 workplan 
we focused on key research and implementation activities under Task 4 as noted below.
Buy-in Process Managed
✔ YP2LE Buy-In Webinar for Missions and OUs Held. Our team invited Missions and OUs to 
learn about the YP2LE buy-in process via Adobe Connect in February 2020. The webinar was 
recorded, and a link was shared with the full invite list provided by USAID.
✔ YP2LE Buy-In Factsheet Developed. The YP2LE team created a short buy-in factsheet to share 
with Missions and OUs so they have a quick reference on our purpose, capabilities, and the process 
for engaging YP2LE for Rapid Response Technical Support.
✔ Protocol for Guiding and Managing the Buy-In Process Developed. The YP2LE team 
created a process for managing buy-ins to ensure high-quality results, including the:
● development and finalization of buy-in activity SOWs and methodologies in partnership with 
USAID that align with a PYD framework, best practices, and lessons learned;
● drafting and finalizing of buy-in budgets and budget narratives for approval;
● instituting an expression of interest process for engagement of YP2LE partners on buy-ins 
based on relevant expertise, experience, networks, and capacity to mobilize teams quickly;
● forming buy-in teams, including assignment of internal staff and identification of Team Leads, 
Deputy Team Leads, and other subject matter experts and in-country support, operational and 
technical oversight, project management, research management, and PYD-aligned capacity￾strengthening, as needed;
● scheduling kick-off and closeout meetings;
● scheduling meetings around key milestones and deliverables with USAID, including workplan 
and report development; and
● developing PYD-aligned accessible activity deliverables for diverse multidisciplinary audiences 
with actionable strategic priorities, lessons learned, and recommendations. 
✔ Layout Design for Buy-in Deliverables Created. Created a YP2LE branded and 508-compliant 
layout design for buy-in deliverables to promote efficiency and to ensure consistency and quality on 
deliverables submitted. 
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 26
✔ Guidance Documents Developed. To provide additional support to assessment team members, 
YP2LE developed guidance documents to streamline remote completion of buy-in activities, 
including drafting of deliverables and data collection. 
● Consolidated a Folder of Project Personnel Guidance Documents from Past 
Assessments. This folder includes manuals on branding and marking, editing, and style 
requirements; examples of workplans, strategic priorities, literature reviews, assessment 
reports, and briefs; consent, survey, interview, and focus group protocols; PowerPoint 
Templates; and the YP2LE factsheets.
● Developed a “How to and Security” Manual for Zoom. The manual addresses best 
practices for scheduling and facilitating meetings, recording, and transcribing discussions for 
qualitative data collection purposes, collecting quantitative data via polls, using breakout rooms, 
de-identifying research data from Zoom, and managing data storage and security.
● Developed a “How to and Security” Manual for Survey Monkey. The manual addresses 
best practices for managing users, permissions, creating, previewing, sending out, scoring, and
closing surveys, as well as downloading, storing, and protecting survey participant data. 
✔ Requests for Rapid Response Technical Support Engaged with the YouthLead Network. 
In August 2020 the Senior YE Advisor and the YE Fellow supported youth engagement in the 
Center on Children in Adversity (CECA) buy-in, with the dissemination of a survey on youth care 
levers. 
✔ Rapid Response Technical Support Requests Addressed. 
Below is an update on the status of each request.
1. Guinea Youth Assessment
● The buy-in was split under YouthPower Learning and transitioned to YP2LE in April 2020.
● Research activities and the USAID outbrief were completed May 2020. The Situational 
Analysis and Youth Strategic Priorities Report were approved in September of 2020. The 
Summary Brief was submitted in September 2020 and is pending approval.
2. Mauritania Youth Assessment
● The buy-in was split under YouthPower Learning and transitioned to YP2LE in April 2020.
● Research activities and the USAID outbrief were completed April 2020. The Program 
Description and Assessment report deliverables were approved in August of 2020 and the 
Summary Brief was approved in September 2020. All deliverables have been publicly posted. 
3. Madagascar Youth Assessment
● In-country research activities were completed in February 2020.
● The final version of the Assessment Report was reviewed, approved, and shared publicly in 
May 2020 and the Summary Brief was approved and disseminated in July of 2020.
4. W-GDP DREAMS Collaboration (GenDev/OHA/DREAMS)
● Activity consultants were approved and engaged in buy-in activities in April 2020. The Phase 
One workplan was approved June 2020. The final Literature Review Report was submitted 
to USAID in September 2020 and is under final review.
● The phase two workplan for virtual assessment activities is currently being drafted, pending 
USAID approval of workplan focus.
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 27
● Upon request of the USAID/Mozambique Mission, youth engagement training modules 
created under YouthPower Action will be translated into Mozambican Portuguese and 
adapted for a Mozambique context. Price estimates for translation and adaptation are 
currently under review by USAID.
5. Eastern and Southern Caribbean (ESC) Youth Assessment
● Desk review activities were completed and presented to USAID May 2020 and data 
collection activities completed June 2020. The Strategic Priorities and Situational Analysis 
Reports were approved, and the Strategic Priorities Report posted, in September 2020. The 
Summary Brief was submitted in September 2020 and is pending approval.
6. Dominican Republic Youth Assessment
● The key informant interviews were completed, and the Desk Review was approved in 
September 2020. 
7. Youth in Agri-food Systems Learning Activity (Resilience and Food Security)
● Component 1 activities in final stages of completion. Inventory database was approved in 
September 2020. The Inventory Report, Metrics Report, Reference Group Terms of 
Reference, and proposed Reference Group Members are under review by USAID.
● The budget and SOW for Component 2 was approved in October 2020. 
8. Protecting Children and Youth within USAID Education Programming (Africa Bureau)
● Data collection activities were completed and the survey and KII data analyses are 
underway. Development of the Design Document and Training Assets e-Learning Modules 
are in progress. 
● The Training Needs Assessment presentation was held in September 2020.
9. Ghana Youth Assessment
● The budget and SOW were approved in October 2020 and the assessment team members 
are being finalized.
10. Morocco Youth Assessment
● The data collection activities were completed and outbrief presentation was held in 
September of 2020. An updated Assessment Report was sent for final approval in October 
2020.
11. GenDev – Unleashing the Economic Leadership Power of Young Women: Strengthening the 
Evidence Base (“GenDev 2”)
● The Literature Review and KIIs for the Discovery Phase Report were completed in August 
2020 and the report was submitted to USAID in September 2020. The updated report and 
Phase 2 SOW were submitted for review in October 2020.
12. Nicaragua Focused Youth Assessment
● The SOW and budget approval were received in October 2020. The recruitment of team 
members for assessment activities is ongoing. 
● A meeting with Mission and USAID implementing partners on the current operating 
environment was attended in October 2020.
13. Integrating Youth and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Programming Toolkit 
(Mental Health)
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 28
● The budget and SOW were approved in July 2020. 
● The activity start is confirmed with Mental Health team for mid-November 2020. The Team 
Lead was submitted for USAID concurrence in October 2020. 
14. Center on Children in Adversity (CECA)
● Discussions were held on SOW and budget between July 2020 and October 2020. A revised 
budget and SOW were submitted in October 2020 and are under USAID’s review.
✔ Draft for a Youth Assessments 101 Brief Developed. The YP2LE team collected input via 
phone interviews and written feedback from the Missions in Armenia and Somalia, four previous 
YouthPower Learning assessment Team Leads, and the YouthPower Learning and YouthPower 
Action Project Directors for the brief. The data analysis and brief development were completed, and 
the brief was submitted and approved in September 2020. The brief is currently in the final design 
and layout stage and will be available in early December 2020.
Communications in Task 4:
The Communications Team worked closely with the Rapid Response Technical Support Team to 
provide support in the editing, design, layout, and 508-compliance for the Buy-in Deliverables. In 
addition, the team created resources pages, microsites, and URLs for each of the publicly facing 
deliverables as they were approved.
III. Problems Encountered and Identified Solutions 
Key problems identified in this report reflect issues also identified in our prior report and will continue 
due to the geographic spread of our Rapid Response Technical Support teams and the ongoing COVID￾19 situation. They include the following:
Time Management
Scheduling Meetings with Partners and Buy-in Teams
1. Problem: Engagement of YP2LE partners across time zones. 
Solution: Identifying meeting times that accommodate the schedules of all partners has been a 
continuing challenge since there are partners in Australia and Uganda involved in the LAAG. 
YP2LE took several steps to ensure engagement from all partners, particularly in cases where 
meetings do not allow specific groups to attend in person. We developed and shared materials 
ahead of meetings and provided partners an opportunity to contribute thoughts and ideas prior 
to the actual meeting. Following meetings, notes for review and input are distributed to make 
sure that final meeting notes reflect the contributions of all relevant YP2LE partners. 
Additionally, we scheduled a separate follow-up meeting to collect in-person information from 
any partner who is unable to attend a meeting. Given the breadth of time zones, it is unlikely 
that we will be able to include all partners in every meeting. We will continue to prioritize 
engaging all partners in Task 1 activities by rotating meeting times, providing materials prior to 
meetings, and following up with notes and small group discussions after meetings. All partners 
have engaged remotely in meetings since mid-March 2020 due to the ongoing COVID-19 
pandemic and related travel and safety restrictions. We will continue to adhere to local and 
national guidance to ensure the safety of our partners and collaborating youth development 
researchers, practitioners, and other stakeholders.
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 29
Scheduling Meetings and Technology Support
1. Problem: We found it hard to get field-based project teams to participate in the January 2020 
collaboration team meeting. 
Solution: We conducted individual follow-up calls with field-based projects and decided they will 
be presenting on their program/accomplishments during a regular webinar series.
2. Problem: Due to buy-in team members being headquartered in multiple time zones, several with 
ongoing internet connectivity issues, finding a time and appropriate technology options for 
connecting all team members was a challenge. 
Solution: To ensure inclusion and participation of all team members, several technology 
platforms were often used simultaneously (e.g., calling into a conference call line through Skype 
while adding others into the meeting through individual or group calls on WhatsApp).
The COVID-19 Pandemic
1. Problem: Because of the continuously changing COVID-19 situation, at the beginning of the 
reporting period, two buy-in activities (Guinea and Mauritania) had to discontinue in-person in￾country activities; especially activities that involved research with youth participants and youth 
development stakeholders. 
Solution: Team members worked together to revise activity workplans and research 
activities, which were rescheduled and completed virtually over the reporting period using 
remote technology platforms. This strategy safeguarded and prioritized participants’ health and 
safety and ensured the acquisition of crucial research data and input from participants.
2. Problem: Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions that went into effect in March 2020, we are 
unable to plan international travel for buy-in activities. 
Solution: As determined by the needs of the Missions/Operating Units and USAID Washington, 
we have developed different approaches to completing assessment activities that include virtual
and local data collection and/or a two-phased approach. In the two-phased approach, the first 
phase focuses on activities that can be completed remotely (e.g., desk review and virtual key 
informant interviews), and the second phase includes possible field work at a future date as 
international travel is deemed permissible.
3. Problem: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we were not able to organize the quarterly 
Collaboration Group meetings. 
Solution: We replaced the in-person meetings with webinars held in July and September 2020,
which also made it easier for field project staff to participate.
Lessons Learned
Throughout the year, our team garnered a series of lessons learned, which are highlighted in the next 
section. 
Meetings and Stakeholder Engagement 
We learned several lessons throughout the year that helped us improve how to manage and steer our 
partner meetings. These learnings include: 
● Ensure Sufficient Time for Partners to Have Meaningful Discussions. For the first and 
second LAAG meetings held in March and July 2020, we shared with LAAG members the 
background documents on research priorities and research activity updates ahead of time. The 
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 30
sharing of documents allowed us to have a deeper discussion during the meeting and gather 
their insights and recommendations for key research priorities, ongoing research activities, and 
inputs on the Year 2 workplan. 
● Team Different Organizations with Each Other During Small Group Activities. For 
the LAAG meeting, we worked to ensure that small groups included people from various 
organizations and perspectives. This strategy resulted in greater participation and engagement, 
richer discussion, and clearer conclusions. 
● Ensure that Small Group Discussions Have a Clear Facilitator Assigned Ahead of 
Time. Combined in-person and virtual meetings work well when you break attendees up into 
small discussion groups that include a facilitator. During our LAAG meetings, participants were 
assigned to small groups of attendees. This step resulted in more active engagement throughout 
the meeting. 
● Promotion of Collaboration and Agreement on Priorities is Essential. Research and 
donor organizations have different foci and priorities. It takes time to work together and agree 
on priorities. USAID and the donor community need research to drive evidence-based decision￾making and program design. Research organizations often conduct research to fill gaps in 
knowledge and contribute to the broader theoretical literature of international development. 
● Research moved slower than anticipated. We have learned that it can take time to bring 
stakeholders together and identify research priorities that meet the immediate needs of the 
donor community while also contributing to research writ large. 
● Agreeing on the scope of activities took longer than anticipated Working closely with 
YP2LE partner organizations to manage timelines, LOE, and expectations for completing 
research activities, while ensuring completion of agreed-upon SOW and quality assurance and 
utility of final deliverables took longer than anticipated. We will be building in more time to have 
these discussions during our LAAG meetings to help accelerate work for the coming year. We 
will continue to value the partnership brings to increasing our knowledge base around what 
works in youth development.
● Short, Graphically Driven, and Easily Digestible Products are a Must. USAID needs 
products that can be easily used in a quick manner, rather than longer research reports. We 
have shifted our focus in Year 2 to create these shorter, easier to use products to meet USAID 
needs. 
● Need to Identify New Youth Programs to Implement Impact Evaluations. There are 
new USAID-funded youth activities in procurement but there are only a few which are ready for 
designing an evaluation; this timing disconnect has made it difficult to organize an impact 
evaluation as desired. We will continue to work with USAID to identify a program to implement 
an impact evaluation that can be successfully accomplished with the YP2LE three-year timeline, 
and potential two additional option years.
Technology/Data Collection
● Virtual Technology Platforms Can Be Used Separately or Simultaneously When In￾Person Data Collection Cannot Be Completed. The team used this strategy as a 
mechanism to carry out data collection activities and promote collection of data and key 
recommendations. 
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 31
● Local Experts Can Be Engaged to Conduct Assessment Activities In-Country When 
International Travel Cannot Be Completed Safely. As permissible, the team partnered 
with an international expert to provide direction and guidance virtually. 
● Conducting Internal Training on Collection of Monitoring Data for Non-Research 
Staff Can Build Capacity for Data Tracking and Reporting Processes. Developing and 
finalizing the YP2LE monitoring and evaluation tracking tool was more challenging than 
anticipated. We learned that several of the YP2LE activities were not collecting the indicator 
data in the needed disaggregation for reporting. To streamline our monitoring processes, we 
met with each task lead to understand how the data were previously collected and identify ways 
that we could change data collection processes to enable us to obtain data in the disaggregated 
forms requested by our ITT. We also held an indicator training workshop (highlighted above) to 
build the team’s understanding of indicators, data, and data collection. 
YouthLead Campaigns
● Large Social Media Campaigns Require Time to Plan. We did not have the luxury of 
that time for the #StoptheSpread Campaign and pivoted halfway through with the Youth-led
Acts of Good Campaign. To launch a successful, social media campaign, 3-4 weeks of planning 
and set-up are required to develop a campaign plan, a message that resonates with the audience, 
and realistic call to action.
● Involving Champions/Influencers is Key to Campaign Success. If the call to action 
comes only from the organization, it is less likely to have a significant impact. Having YouthLead 
Ambassadors be part of the planning and implementation of the campaign helped to energize the 
campaign. Asking the Ambassadors to develop content before the launch, allowed us to give the 
campaign some immediate momentum.
● There Must be Incentive for Followers to Participate. For the campaign to get traction, 
young people need to understand what is in it for them to participate. Usually it will be visibility 
and increased likes and followers, but occasionally it will need to be something more significant.
A key planning theme for future campaigns will be what will be the draw to get followers to 
participate (e.g., offering awards, mentoring services from partners, opportunities to present, 
etc.)
The COVID-19 Pandemic
● Flexibility is Key to Responding to Crisis. We pivoted rapidly from in-person data 
collection during buy-in assessments to the use of remote tools (such as phone and Skype calls) 
that helped us to continue to facilitate research activities and promote acquisition of rich data 
and insights. Similarly, we have matched local in-country personnel with remote international 
advisors to be able to continue buy-in activities.
● Recognizing that Strategies Vary in Mitigating COVID-19 Globally. When preparing 
the workplan for 2021 (including regional or global meetings), YP2LE will need to take into 
account the fact that different countries will be at different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic 
and may not allow in-person activities.
● Assessments Can Be Completed in Two Phases. In order to respond to Missions’ needs 
in a comprehensive and timely fashion, the two-phased approach allows for accommodations for 
international travel and in-country data collection to occur at a later time, as deemed safe and 
permissible, to supplement the first phase of activities.
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 32
Buy-in Management
● Having the Staff to Meet the Demand is Critical. To maintain effectiveness and quality 
with the large number of complex buy-in activities, YP2LE brought on a new Project 
Director, added a Senior Technical Advisor to the buy-ins and brought on two new Project 
Managers/Project Officers to help manage buy-ins and subcontractors. Additionally, to support 
the high level of buy-ins and expansive Task 1-3 activities, YP2LE is adding two new staff in Year 
2 to support the work and to maintain high-quality deliverables. The two staff being added are a 
Youth Development Specialist and a Knowledge Management and Online Communities Manager.
● Agreeing on SOW and Budget takes longer than anticipated. As outlined above with 
Task 1 research and products, YP2LE will build in additional time to reflect challenges faced in 
Year 1 to negotiate the final SOW, budget, staffing, and subsequent deliverables with Operating 
Units and Missions. 
V. Indicator Measurement 
The YP2LE indicator tracking table is below and includes year-to-date information. 
Indicator Target # Baseline # FY to Date #
Number of research and learning products 
developed by the YP2LE contract.
3 0 1
Number of knowledge products and tools 
disseminated through the YouthPower and 
YouthLead platforms produced by the YP2LE 
contract and other awards under the YP2 umbrella.
11 0 55
Number of Learning Network members. 5,000 4,719 6,557
Number of Learning Network members who 
participated in events, discussions, trainings, and 
forums.
350 0 1,093
A count of the number of knowledge products and 
tools developed by YP2LE or YP2 partners that are 
posted on the YouthPower and YouthLead websites. 
N/A 0 11
Number of website views. 100,000 0 681,675
Number of USAID staff and YP IPs who designed, 
implemented, adapted, or measured an 
activity/CDCS/PAD using evidence and tools from 
the PYD trainings and/or the PYD Learning 
Network, and/or the YouthPower and YouthLead 
websites.
15 0 11
Number of Learning Network Members who 
designed, implemented, adapted, or measured an 
activity/CDCS/PAD using evidence and tools from 
the PYD trainings, the PYD Learning Network,
and/or the YouthPower and YouthLead websites.
30 0 Annual survey
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 33
Number of youth engaged in YP2LE activities. 40 0 1,113
Number of studies, tools, or products developed 
that relate to learning agenda gaps.
1 0 2
Member satisfaction with the overall PYD Learning 
Network.
85% 
satisfied
0 86% satisfied
Member satisfaction with the YouthPower and 
YouthLead websites.
85% 
satisfied
0 75% satisfied
Number of events organized or co-hosted by the 
YP2LE contract.
15 0 56
Number of YP2LE-sponsored webinars. 6 0 21
Number of events attended by YP2LE 
subcontractors to disseminate project information.
20 0 12
Number of buy-ins completed by YP2LE staff 5 0 3
Number of eNewsletter subscribers. 5,000 4,719 38,502 
Number of new web pages developed or updated.1 6 0 25
Number of social media posts. 300 0 906
Number of youth programs that include PYD 
concepts and features that are influenced by YP2LE 
activities.
10 0 Annual survey
Amount of web content reviewed, approved and 
published on YouthPower.org and YouthLead.org
1,900 0 2,645
Events Organized or Co-Hosted by YP2LE2
Name Count
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Virtual Kick-off Meeting, 2020 1
YLA All Member Webinars 2
Peer Advisor (PA) Webinar 2
YLA and PA Graduation Ceremony 1
YouthLead Kenya Meetup 1
Youth in the Lead: Engagement for Global Action: (International Youth Day Webinar) 1
1 This indicator refers to the number of “What Works” and country web pages only. The final content for 
the two “What Works” pages included in this total were submitted for USAID review in September and are 
pending approval.
2 Events reported under Year 1 of YP2LE include any events that occurred after awarding of the YP2LE 
contract in September 2019. This includes activities that were cited during this time period in the 
YouthPower Learning Final Report that were YP2LE-related.
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 34
Name Count
Youth Advisory Group Kick-Off Meeting 1
Youth Advisory Group One-to-One Check Ins 14
2020 YouthPower Annual Learning Network Meeting 1
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Virtual Kick-off Meeting 1
Youth-Led Acts of Good Campaign 1
Fighting the Unseen Impacts of COVID-19 Webinar 1
How Youth Leverage Tech to Advocate for SRHR and Gender Equality Amid the 
COVID-19 Pandemic Webinar
1
What Can Cooperatives Do for Youth? YouthLead Webinar 1
Supporting Children’s Mental Health and Well-Being in Conflict and Crisis, A Case 
Study of No Limit Gen Webinar
1
Leveraging Social Media to Advocate for Transparency and Accountability Amid the 
COVID-19 Pandemic Webinar
1
Education and Voluntary Reproductive Health Care: A Panacea for Positive Youth and 
Community Development Webinar
1
Cost Measurement in USAID Youth Development Programs Webinar 1
Cost Measurement in USAID Youth Development Programs – Asia/Pacific Webinar 1
Youth Action in Fighting Misinformation: An Infodemic in a Pandemic Webinar 1
Youth Engagement during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case for Youth Leadership 
Webinar
1
What Youth Can Learn about the Environment Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic 
Webinar
1
Collaboration: Collaboration Group meeting – The Enabling Environment (YP2LE 
Collaboration Group Kick-off Meeting)
1
Collaboration: Webinar on Pivoting Youth Projects Due to COVID-19 1
Collaboration: Webinar on Successful Private-Sector Engagement 1
Collaboration: Check-ins with YPL implementation projects’ chiefs of party/field 
teams
6
YouthLead Webinar: How to Use Youth Voice to Advocate for Change 1
Webinar: YP2LE: An Introductory Meeting for USAID Missions and OUs 1
What Youth Can Learn about the Environment Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic 1
Las redes sociales como herramienta para mejorar la convivencia 1
Learning Network: Co-creation meetings 5
Webinar: How do I Join a CoP? (Learning Network Kick-off) 1
Total 56
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 35
Annex 1: Accomplishments All Funding Sources
Task Activity BFS DRG PRH E3/ED
1 Advanced Research Priorities Identified by 
the YouthPower Community through LAAG and 
facilitation of two meetings with LAAG representatives.
x x x x
1 Drafted scopes of work for a systematic review of what 
works in designing Systems and Scaling Positive Youth 
Development (PYD) programs, including a component 
focused on cost and cost-effectiveness, a systematic review 
of PYD impacts on Marginalized and Vulnerable Youth, and 
document review and development of a youth framework 
for cost and cost effectiveness.
x x x x
1 Held a series of meetings to identify additional research on 
understanding cross-sectoral impacts of PYD on youth and 
their communities and on the effectiveness of youth 
engagement in PYD programming.
x x x x
1 Drafted article for the Journal of Youth Development on 
learnings from YPL and YP2LE CSYAs: Learning from 
Youth Perspectives: Implications from 17 Cross-Sectoral 
Youth Assessments.
x x x x
2 Task Order Collaboration Activities that include YP task 
order projects and USAID Missions/OUs, including 
quarterly meetings.
x x x x
2 Completed Learning Network Listening Report x x x x
2 Designed and Delivered Learning Network Co-Creation 
Sessions.
x x x x
2 Managed the creation of a new Learning Network (LN), 
including three CoPs: Youth Engagement, Gender, and 
Business, Entrepreneurship and PSE.
x x x x
2 Completed the first Collaboration Group meeting under 
YP2LE and pivoted Collaboration Group activities to adjust 
to COVID-19 reality and travel constraints. (Focus on 
Enabling Environment)
x x x x
2 Organized two Collaboration Group webinars (i.e., July 
2020 and September 2020) to replace the quarterly in￾person meetings. (COVID-19 pivot; Private-Sector 
Engagement)
x x x x
3 Designed and supported the Youth-led Acts of Good 
Campaign Communications Strategy.
x x x x
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 36
Task Activity BFS DRG PRH E3/ED
3 Recruited, identified, and on-boarded the Atlas Corps 
Fellow, YLAs, and PAs to support youth engagement 
activities.
x x x x
3 Country pages maintained and developed. x x x x
3 Curated, tagged, and posted content on YouthLead and 
YouthPower.org.
x x x x
3 New product pages/microsites created (i.e., Youth Center 
Toolkit).
x x x x
3 Grew YouthLead membership to over 10,000 registered 
members.
x x x x
3 Developed and completed a transition from YPL to YP2LE 
for YouthLead.org and YouthPower.org by mid-May. 
Updated navigation and search capability.
x x x x
3 Contributed to questions for the annual survey led by the 
MEL team.
x x x x
4 Prepared statements of work and budgets for buy-ins. x x x x
4 Managed the buy-in process. x x x x
4 Provided Rapid Response Technical Support and produced 
deliverables.
x x x x
Accomplishments Individual Funding Source
Task Activity BFS DRG PRH E3/ED
1 Develop concept note on use of Youth Engagement 
Index dashboard.
 x 
1 Developed Mission-guidance Document on WORQ 
tool.
 x
2 Completed a video in collaboration with the 
Puentes/Bridges team in El Salvador, to showcase 
successful private-sector engagement.
x x x
3 Developed content for two new What Works pages 
for YouthPower.org on very young adolescents and 
first-time parents.
 x 
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 37
Annex 2. Results of the Satisfaction Survey
This annex summarizes the results from the YP2LE Satisfaction Survey that was conducted with YP2LE 
Learning Network members and youth as part of the end of the year reporting process. The survey was 
implemented using the SurveyMonkey platform. The survey was distributed in three ways:
1. Sent via email to Learning Network members who are on the newsletter distribution list.
2. Placed on the YouthPower.org and YouthLead.org websites.
3. Distributed to our youth ambassadors with a request that they share the survey among their 
networks. 
The following sections provide the detailed findings from the survey. 
Demographics of Respondents
Approximately 504 respondents consented to take the survey, of which 473-479 respondents provided 
demographic and organization/sector data. Of the 504 people who consented to take the survey, 320 
respondents said they were familiar with the YouthPower or YouthPower2 Learning and Evaluation 
projects. The majority of respondents were ages 25 to 34 (58 percent) with a third (34 percent) of 
respondents in the age segment of 18 to 24 years of age (figure 1). The majority of respondents were 
also male (64 percent) while 36 percent were female. Figure 1 captures the demographics of the survey 
takers. 
When asked how participants identified vis a vis an organization, the majority of respondents identified 
their organization affiliation as a member of YouthLead (40 percent), student (16 percent) or Youth 
Entrepreneur (13 percent). Figure 2 shows the breakdown of organizational affiliation. 
Figure SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 1. Demographics of respondents
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 38
Participants indicated that economic growth, trade, and entrepreneurship along with education and 
health were the primary sectors of interest among respondents. Democracy, human rights, and 
governance followed closely behind these primary sectors (Figure 3). 
Experience with YouthPower.org 
The purpose of this section of the survey was to gather information to support improvements related to 
the use and functionality of the YouthPower.org website. The questions focused on the ability of users 
to access and download information, the speed with which information could be accessed and 
downloaded and the look and feel of the website. We also asked participants about the ease with which 
they could locate the information they wanted to access and if there were any gaps of information. 
Figure 2. Organization affiliation of respondents
Figure 3. Primary sector of interest of respondents
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 39
Of the 504 people who consented to take the survey, 285 respondents said they were familiar with 
YouthPower.org website but only three respondents answered questions related to the use 
and utility of the website. We believe that the survey had problems with the skip logic, which caused 
many participants to accidentally skip to the section related to Learning Network member satisfaction. 
We are currently looking into the problems with this section of the survey and will resend the website 
user satisfaction survey to Learning Network members again later this year through the newsletter to 
see if we can gather additional data. 
For the three responses that we received in this round of the survey, respondents indicated that they 
visited the website one to two times or three to four times. The reasons to visit the website included 
learning about positive youth development, looking for new publications, and perusing content. The 
three respondents largely agreed with the provided statements about the functionality of the 
YouthPower.org website (figure 4). The one suggestion to improve the functionality of the website was 
to have bigger headers. 
When asked about the gaps that exist in terms of the resources provided, one respondent suggested to 
“make it easier to find the rigorous studies.” When asked about how frequently the content should be 
updated on the website, all three respondents said “monthly.” When it comes to use of resources, the 
three respondents listed the following resources as the most useful ones they have used from the 
website: 
● PYD Systematic Review 
● event posting
● research studies 
● PYD framework 
Respondents also noted that they have used those resources to support report writing and research 
papers. Respondents were asked to rate the website on a scale of 1 (poor) to 4 (excellent). All three 
respondents rated it as 3 (above average). 
“The site has many useful resources and a wealth of information.” (Female aged, 35+)
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 40
Experience with YouthLead.org 
Of the 504 people who consented to take the survey, 293 respondents said they were familiar with the 
YouthLead website but only 1 respondent answered questions from that section and provided 
website ratings. This respondent indicated that they had not visited the website in the last three 
months but said that when they had visited in the past, it was “to learn about youth-led projects.” The 
respondent agreed with all provided statements about the functionality of the YouthPower.org website, 
except for the one where asked about being able to share content from the website on social media 
(they answered “don’t know”) (Figure 5). The respondent also agreed that there are gaps in the current
resources provided on the website but did not specify which ones. When asked about how frequently 
the content should be updated on the website, the respondent said “monthly.” When asked about what 
topics or issues they would be most interested in learning about on the website, the responded said 
Figure 4. Experience with the YouthPower.org website
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 41
“workforce.” The one respondent rated the website as 3 (above average). No explanation was provided 
for the rating.
Experience with the YouthPower Learning Network
The third section of the YP2LE survey focused on the satisfaction level of the Learning Network 
members. The survey probed their experience within the network, the use and utility of the information 
that members receive from the newsletter, and their interactions within the network. This section 
summarizes the findings related to the Learning Network satisfaction. 
Of the 504 people who consented to take the survey, 290 respondents said they were engaged in the 
YouthPower Learning Network. Of that group, 123 to 249 respondents answered questions from that 
section. The variation in the number of respondents who answered each question is related to the fact 
that not all 249 respondents answered all of the questions in the section. 
Figure 6 shows the results that respondents selected related to the awareness, participation, and 
usefulness of the YP2LE Learning Network and YP2LE newsletters. The “N” for responses ranged from 
239 to 249. Most of the respondents either strongly agreed or agreed with the statements.
Respondents were asked how they use the information from the YouthPower2 and YouthLead 
newsletters. Respondents mentioned that they share the newsletters in their networks after reading it; 
they use the newsletter to expand their knowledge; they apply the knowledge to their daily activities, 
projects, discussion groups; for awareness on what is going on around the topics of interest and around 
the world; to check for new opportunities; to lead youth in their communities and to empower youth 
to make informed decisions; to get new skills and opportunities (Figure 7). A few respondents said they 
became aware of the newsletters through this survey. Table 1. Provides a summary of participants’ 
open-ended question responses. 
Figure 5. Experience with the YouthLead.org website
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 42
Table 1. Open-ended participant responses
“Given my work in capacity strengthening and business support that I offer to the youth and 
corporate institutions, the content from the newsletters especially the links to the various 
resources offer me extra information to better support the different sets of people that I work 
with.” (Male, aged 25-29)
“In these times where there’s so much information everywhere, the information there is very 
well integrated and helps better understand and apply it in everyday life. And remain 
knowledgeable.” (Female, aged 18-24)
“The information I get from the newsletter helps me to increase my knowledge and gain new 
things, which helps me to do a better job every day, as well as to continue to work with young 
people to continue our development and the country through innovation.” (Male, aged 25-29)
“As an educator, sometimes you get stuck in trying to innovate lessons. The newsletter helps 
me create and envision new lessons from the ideas I read.” (Female, aged 25-29)
Respondents were also asked what they most hoped to get out of the YP2LE Learning 
Network. The top responses included:
● increase their knowledge, 
● further their experience, 
● increase their skills, 
● serve their communities, 
● gain and share knowledge and ideas in their networks, 
● strengthen work expertise and performance, 
● networking and career opportunities, and 
● exposure to various organizations and sharing best practices and challenges (Figure 8).
Table 2. Expectations of the Learning Network.
“I hope to network with other young minds across the globe to achieve a common goal.” 
(Male, aged 25-29)
“It is biggest youth network for young people who are agents of change, and being part will 
provide a wider platform/higher grounds for connection, sharing knowledge, and a greater 
learning process as a leader in my communities.” (Male, aged 25-29)
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 43
“My goal is to share knowledge and opportunities that will benefit my community. By 
acquiring and implementing more human development skills and project management 
monitoring skills, I will be able to put idealistic concepts into realistic practice.” (Female, aged 
25-29)
“I hope to get skills such as communication, leadership, and build more connections, which will 
help me to increase the impact in my community.” (Male, aged 18-24)
Of the total number of survey respondents, 162 people said that they joined at least one of the 
Communities of Practice. When asked about the reason for joining a Community of Practice, the 
following reasons were included: 
● to improve their skills and knowledge, 
● to better serve their communities, 
● as part of community work, 
● to be of service and have an impact, 
● to inspire youth to realize their potentials, 
● found it beneficial, 
● to widen their network, 
● to gain more experience and provide support to those who need it, and 
● to help in the work of being a youth leader.
Fifty-five respondents said they did not join at least one of the CoP. When asked why, many said 
they were not aware, did not have access to it, or did not know where to find the communities. A few 
respondents noted technical issues. 
In the final section that asked respondents for additional comments, many expressed their gratitude for 
the YouthPower and Learning Network resources with a few suggestions for improving the overall 
learning network. The suggestions included things such as:
● to modify the format of the distribution emails,
● seek feedback, 
● add YouTube tutorials regarding CoP, 
● create ways on how youth with limited access to the internet can reach these resources,
● free online training in youth leadership and relationships, and 
● to consider translating the website into other languages (such as French, for example). 
Several respondents noted that they wanted to become a member but didn’t know how or applied and 
have not heard back. Respondents also made suggestions for improving the network including ensuring 
that resources are available to participants in the network; modifying the format of emails; and 
increasing the number of topics discussed on a daily basis. The two quotes below capture these 
suggestions from members of the network. 
“I appreciate the resources available for us. My suggestion would be to modify the format in which 
the emails are sent. There are many amazing resources and pages available but sometimes, they can 
get lost or the description is not available within the title or content of the email in order to open 
the full content.” (Female, aged 25-29)
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 44
“I like the project very much and I suggest that there should be increase of topic in each day and in 
weekend there should be at least two hours of hot discussion and in ending of at least quarter there 
should be a day to make evaluation of what every member has done.”(Male, aged 18-24)
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 45
Annex 3: YP2LE Youth Advisory Group (YAG)
Name and Role Biography
Zwelithini Matsoso
Learning Network Steering 
Committee Liaison 
Zwelithini Matsoso serves as the advisor to the United Nations 
Youth Advisory Panel hosted under United Nations Population 
Fund (UNFPA) Lesotho country office, and the International 
Youth Alliance for Family Planning Country Coordinator for 
Lesotho. He also serves the Global Hope Mobilization as the 
Project Officer on COVID-19, and the Women Deliver Young 
Leader for Lesotho. He has worked with the Ministry of 
Gender, Youth, Sports and Recreation to build the Lesotho 
National Youth Policy and facilitate consultations of the 
National Youth Development Bill, and has further advocated for 
meaning engagement of Youth in the national reforms 
processes; constitution, judiciary, public service, security, media 
and economic reforms. He is the founder of the Lesotho-based 
human rights organization, Economic and Social Justice Project. 
Zwelithini has also coordinated over 57 Youth organizations to 
form the Youth Alliance on COVID-19 which mandate is to 
promote Youth engagement in COVID19 response and to bring 
relief to Youth affected by COVID-19.
Edna Tukiko
Mentorship Liaison 
Kenya 
Edna is an international development professional with 
multicultural experience in youth programs across Eastern and 
Southern Africa, and South Asia, including at UNICEF and at 
UNFPA. She holds over seven years of mentoring experience 
and is currently an advisory council member at the Global Give 
Back Circle—a program that empowers and connects at-risk 
adolescent girls with local and international mentors. Edna 
leveraged her expertise in mentorship program design and 
management as a consultant in the design and implementation of 
the mentorship program for the Young African Leadership 
Initiative (YALI) Regional Leadership Center East Africa. She 
helped design the strategy and recruited and trained mentors 
from the private and public sector to work with the first two 
cohorts of YALI participants. She is an alumnus of YALI East 
Africa (2016), a mentor at the MasterCard Foundation Scholars 
program, and at the Kakenya Centre of Excellence in Kenya. 
Edna is passionate about leadership, innovation, and in ensuring 
that youth fulfil their potential.
Nandini Tanya Lallmon
Advocacy and Communications 
Liaison 
Mauritius 
Nandini Tanya Lallmon is a lawyer by profession and 
humanitarian by passion. She is the legal lead of the #Reform53 
campaign of the Commonwealth Youth, Gender, and Equality 
Network. She is also an advisor to the Steering for Greatness 
Foundation, Global Peace Chain, International Human Rights 
Advisory Council, Agents of Peace Kenya, and CIVICUS. 
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 46
Name and Role Biography
Additionally, she is the founder of the Mauritius Chapters of the 
International Youth Council, International Youth Society, Youth 
Advocacy Council and African Network of Youth Policy 
Experts. Moreover, she is a fellow of the Young African Leaders 
Initiative, African Changemakers, African Women 
Entrepreneurship Cooperative and TEDx 
100Ideas100Millennials. Besides, she volunteers as career coach 
for Opportunity Desk, ambassador for the My Body is My Body 
Program, community leader for internet health at Digital 
Grassroots, pro-bono consultant for The African Gusto Hub 
and business mentor for the Mentoring Women in Business 
Program of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women. She has 
won multiple awards for her philanthropic work at local, 
regional, and international levels. In the wake of the COVID-19 
pandemic, Nandini Tanya Lallmon endeavors to amplify the 
voices of marginalized groups through digital activism on social 
media.
Firas Bali
Capacity Building Liaison 
West Bank
Firas Bali is a founding member of Ibtikar for empowerment and 
social entrepreneurship with a professional background in the 
field of social entrepreneurship and innovation. Previously, he 
has worked with international and local organizations in project 
management and monitoring and evaluation of Humanitarian 
and development projects. With over six years of experience
working with nonprofits and social enterprises working to 
promote education and youth empowerment in Palestine, he 
feels passionate about social enterprise development and 
education innovation.
Wendy Meruvia
YouthLead Ambassador Liaison 
Bolivia 
Wendy Meruvia is a social entrepreneur who is passionate 
about youth, innovation, development and Experiential Learning. 
She is founder and director of Ciudad Mundo. A social 
enterprise that promotes the comprehensive development of 
youth through high-impact learning experiences, that involve 
international traveling and local training. She has a bachelor's 
degree in graphic design, a diploma in higher education, a 
master's degree in social project management, and another in 
business administration. She works every day to pursue the 
transformation of the younger generations.
Kushal Naharki
YouthLead Ambassador Liaison 
Nepal 
Kushal Naharki is a passionate environment activist and young 
changemaker from Nepal. He is highly dedicated towards 
empowering youth and communities through knowledge 
sharing, training, events, webinars, and campaigns in the field of 
Environment, Agriculture, and Youth Empowerment. He is the 
winner of Eco Hero Award 2018. He has worked as Regional 
Ambassador to Asia for EcoGeneration, Local Representative of 
YPARD Nepal, Project Member of Climateducate South Asia 
and YouthLead Ambassador. He believes that we are our own 
leader of positive changes and innovations in our community. 
YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Annual Report 47
Name and Role Biography
He is interested in Entrepreneurship, Capacity Building, Climate 
Change, Plant Health and Agriculture Biotechnology.
Hilda Namakula
Youth Research Advisor 
Uganda
Hilda is a passionate youth-led research, youth engagement, 
policy, and development practitioner with more than seven 
years of practical experience in conducting research, developing 
policy publications and supporting the implementation of public 
health and development projects in Uganda and South Africa. 
She currently works as a Co-Principle investigator on the 
ALERTs (Adherence, Lived Experiences and Resilient 
Transformation among “slum dwellers”) study focusing on 
documenting the impact of COVID-19 on slum dwellers to 
inform the national COVID 19 task force response and 
projects’ design. She has previously worked with Makerere 
University School of Public Health as a Research Fellow in the 
Kampala Slum Maternal & Newborn Project (MANE). Hilda’s 
experience in youth-led research and policy has included the 
Youth4Policy fellowship with Konrad Adenuer Stiftung (KAS) 
and Youth Think Tank (YTT) fellowship with the MasterCard 
Foundation. She’s also an alumna of the Young Africa Leaders 
Initiative (YALI), and a Co-Founder of Mwamba Imara 
Foundation—an initiative that supports young adults in 
livelihoods and health.