Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for Youth-Inclusive Policies - Submissions From A Design Workshop at the 2024 NESG Conference

Earlier this week, I had the honor of representing LEAP Africa at the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) 3-Day Conference in Abuja, Nigeria. As part of the sessions, I attended a Design Workshop focused on the critical issue of youth inclusion in policy development and implementation.

Taking on the responsibility of documenting Studio 3's discussions—titled "How can the active and sustainable implementation of youth-inclusive policies be ensured?"—I participated in a an exchange of ideas among key stakeholders.

Our group of about 13 participants represented diverse sectors, including public, private, non-profit, and donor communities, with representatives from organizations including Ebiho Agun of Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Nigeria, Maryam Danburam of Malala Fund (Nigeria), Blossom Ozurumba-Ehiarinmwian of NNPC Limited, Chinwe Effiong of YouthDevelopmentLab UGA , Hasana Bello Aliyu of Konexa, David Agunlofi of Options Consultancy Services and Toyin Umoru of Policy Innovation Centre (PIC) contributing to the discussion. Rotimi Olawale, Co-Founder of YouthhubAfrica moderated the session.

Actionable Youth-Inclusive Policies

Youth development is an urgent issue in Nigeria, where approximately 70% of the population is under the age of 30. Despite this, many young people remain marginalized in decision-making processes and face significant barriers, including unemployment and underemployment. As of Q3 2023, the unemployment rate for those aged 15-24 stood at 13.7%. While efforts like the "Not Too Young to Run" Act have encouraged youth political participation, structural barriers remain. Youth inclusion, particularly in policy, must go beyond symbolic acts, addressing the real challenges that young people face daily. The workshop sought to answer critical questions about how to ensure the active and sustainable implementation of youth-inclusive policies that reflect the diverse needs of Nigerian youth.

Our Design Studio had three probing questions based on the leading question; How can the active and sustainable implementation of youth-inclusive policies be ensured across both the public and private sectors?

The secondary questions which guided our conversation:

1. What key performance indicators (KPIs) should be used to measure the success of youth-inclusive policies?
2. How can we ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation of these policies?
3. What feedback mechanisms can be established to allow regular evaluation of the impact of these policies?

Key Performance Indicators for Measuring Youth-Inclusive Policies

One of the central points of our discussion was identifying the right metrics to measure the success of youth-inclusive policies. We agreed that measuring the number of beneficiaries—those directly impacted by youth-related policies—would be essential. A focus on young people holding leadership roles, from local to national levels, should be a priority. However, participants also emphasized that this age range might need flexibility, as 18 can be too early for full civic participation, and 29 may be too short a timeline for meaningful involvement. Additionally, inclusivity metrics should address marginalized groups, including Persons with Disabilities (PWD), Internally Displaced Persons (IDP), and those facing regional and gender-based challenges.

Sector-specific indicators should be developed to reflect the unique challenges of different industries. For example, the number of young people involved in policy design processes should be counted, highlighting their participation not just as recipients but as creators of these policies. The group also noted the importance of assessing Nigerian youths' competence on both the national and global stages, ensuring that policies are preparing them to contribute meaningfully in a competitive world. In leadership and decision-making, positions should be reserved for a segment of younger youth, guaranteeing that a pipeline for future leaders is established. Lastly, creating youth and social inclusion desks in organizations to coordinate efforts would be a practical step forward. These desks should work with the Ministry of Youth, which can assess youth-related activities across other government agencies to ensure alignment and progress.

Ensuring Transparency and Accountability in Policy Implementation

Transparency and accountability are critical to sustaining the impact of youth-inclusive policies. The group suggested developing a centralized database and tracking process to monitor the progress of these policies against established targets. This database would serve as a transparent tool for stakeholders to see what is being done and where improvements are needed. Accountability technologies, such as digital platforms, can further enhance this process, making it easier to track outcomes in real-time and ensure that promises made to youth are kept.

Participants emphasized the need to clearly define who is responsible for ensuring accountability. Often, policies lack clear custodians, which leads to ambiguity and poor implementation. It is vital that roles are assigned to individuals or institutions that will ensure the follow-through of these initiatives. Finally, rather than focusing solely on activities and outputs, the group urged that the results of these policies be measured. Success should be defined by the tangible changes in the lives of Nigerian youth, not just the number of initiatives launched.

Establishing Feedback Mechanisms for Regular Policy Evaluation

Regular evaluation is essential for the continuous improvement of youth-inclusive policies. Our group discussed the importance of tri-sector-enabled feedback mechanisms, integrating the perspectives of public, private, and non-profit organizations to ensure that evaluation efforts are comprehensive and balanced. This collaborative approach ensures that the evaluation process benefits from the diverse insights of all stakeholders.

Inclusivity is key in these feedback mechanisms. Young people from different backgrounds, especially marginalized groups, must be able to contribute to the evaluation process. Without their input, policies risk becoming disconnected from the real needs of the communities they are intended to serve. One suggestion was to form a youth technical working group responsible for monitoring the implementation of these policies and providing regular feedback. This working group would be instrumental in ensuring that the voices of Nigerian youth are continuously heard, and that their input shapes the future of policy development.

Conclusion

The discussions at the Design Workshop as part of the three-day conference highlighted the importance of bridging the gap between youth potential and their actual participation in Nigeria’s policy landscape. With over 70% of the population under 30, Nigeria’s future hinges on its ability to meaningfully engage its youth in decision-making processes. The recommendations from our workshop serve as a roadmap for how we can achieve this.

At LEAP Africa, we believe in the power that lies in dialogue to advance youth development on the African continent. Moreso, from identifying measurable indicators for success, to ensuring transparency and accountability, to establishing inclusive feedback mechanisms, our contributions to the discussions alongside others, lays the groundwork for actionable steps that will empower young people, to shape their future and limit the barriers that frustrate youth transition.