Description
Challenges Identified:
- Limited capacity (personal, financial, etc.) of YEEAs (Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Support Actions) implementers to conduct effective impact evaluations.
- Lack of affordable support services for impact evaluation, especially for non-profit implementers.
- Increasing competition, raising the standards for YEEAs evaluation.
- Insufficient funding for research on impact evaluation, particularly for non-profit initiatives.
- Few YEEAs focus specifically on the 25-29 age group.
Objectives:
- Enhance the capacity of YEEAs implementers to conduct impact evaluations.
- Strengthen research institutions' capacity in the field of impact evaluation.
Work Packages:
- Project management;
- Communication and dissemination;
- Research on evaluation standards and practices;
- Development, testing, and training of the Employment Impact Evaluation Package;
- Development, testing, and training of the Entrepreneurship Impact Evaluation Package;
- Adaptation of WP4 and WP5 packages to meet the specific needs of the 25-29 age group;
- Building a transnational research network; and,
- Supporting research excellence in impact studies through targeted programmes.
Beneficiaries
Education level and sector
Level of implementation / Scope
Aims of policy/initiative
The project seeks to provide tools and services to improve the ability and capacity of implementers (NGOs, public as well as private institutions) of YEEAs (Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Support Actions to efficiently evaluate the impact of their activities. Secondly, it seeks to build a transnational research network to increase the capacity of organisations devoted to/or interested in impact studies.
Features and types of activities implemented
The project adopts a practical “capacity building” approach to the area of concern. Based on the partnership, it seeks to create a network of “impact evaluation consulting” organisations and equip them with skills, made-to-measure tools, and resources which they could use to directly help YEEAs implementers improve their capacity and capability to perform impact evaluation. The YEEAs were supported on the organisations' level (testing of evaluation packages) as well as on individuals' level (blended-learning training). We seek, firstly, to create tools for the general youth, which are then adapt to the specific needs of the 25-29 age group.
Within the project, specific methodologies are examined, which are designed to measure impact on young people, e.g. from the point of view of personal learning (e.g. Kirkpatrick Evaluating Model, CCIP evaluation model, Brinkenhoff method of learning evaluation, IPO-Bushnell Model) , social exclusion (e.g. gender and social exclusion analysis ), organisational development and learning (e.g. output and process evaluation, Theory-based impact evaluation: logic of change, Campbell Systematic Review ), etc. Counterfactual impact evaluation principles are followed.
Through the WP8 network, we strive to link researchers and implementers to encourage the application of theoretical research in practice. The expert team also examines the current practices and methods used for impact evaluation in organisations of YEEAs implementers and in research institutes in particular partner countries.
Impact Evaluation Support Package structure:
- Content part: methodology, guidelines for setting processes, drafting projects, etc.
- Service part: design of counselling service (how to use the content part to set and carry out quality impact evaluation processes).
Direct target group:
- YEEAs implementers (civil society organisations and implementers in public sector (municipalities, universities) and private sector (companies and private education/development organisations)
- Personnel of entities conducting youth employment projects / actions on local level
- Independent evaluators who want to learn about the specificity of youth employment projects/actions
Resources
Lead partner: Channel Crossings s.r.o.
Partners: Slovakia (PEDAL Consulting), Poland (Foundation in Support for Local Democracy), Germany (FIAP e.V.)
Funding: EUR 1,392,007 co-funded by an Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway grant.
Evaluation of the measure
The Youth Impact project was thoroughly evaluated by an external evaluator, who reported significant progress in achieving the project’s core objectives. The evaluation revealed that the project effectively enhanced the capacity of YEEAs implementers to conduct impact evaluations and strengthened research institutions’ expertise in this area. Participants reported increased knowledge and skills, improved professional networks, and positive organisational changes following their involvement in the programme. Both beginners and experienced evaluators noted increased confidence and practical skill development through targeted training sessions.
Please note that the full evaluation report is not available online. However, it can be requested by contacting projekty@chc.cz.
Evidence of effectiveness of the measure
The Youth Impact project demonstrates clear effectiveness in empowering NEETs (not in employment, education or training) through targeted support and skill-building programmes. Evaluation data showed a significant increase in participants' knowledge, skills, and confidence in impact evaluation - key areas crucial to understanding and enhancing youth employment and entrepreneurship efforts.
Participants in the blended learning courses report notable improvements, particularly in designing and applying evaluation methods relevant to youth employment and entrepreneurship initiatives. Knowledge tests and self-assessment surveys document marked growth in areas like project logic, evaluation methods, data analysis, and dissemination of findings, which translates into more effective support strategies for young NEETs. Moreover, the project fosters professional networks, enabling participants to exchange knowledge and collaborate on best practices, further empowering them to address NEET-specific challenges.
Success factors
The success of the Youth Impact project can be attributed to several innovative elements and key strategies that set it apart from other initiatives:
- Blended Learning Approach: The project combines e-learning with practical workshops, providing participants with a well-rounded, hands-on learning experience. This method allows implementers to immediately apply new knowledge and techniques, which enhances retention and practical skill-building.
- Tailored Evaluation Packages: The project develops specific impact evaluation packages focused on youth employment and entrepreneurship, with additional customisation to meet the unique needs of NEETs aged 25-29. This targeted approach ensures that the tools are directly relevant to the implementers' work with young people.
- Peer Learning and Mentorship: Through structured peer-to-peer sessions and mentoring from experienced evaluators, participants benefit from ongoing support and real-world insights. This networking component helps build professional relationships and fosters a collaborative learning environment.
- Capacity Building on Multiple Levels: By addressing both individual skills and organisational processes, the project goes beyond traditional training to promote sustainable changes in evaluation practices. Participants report enhanced personal confidence in evaluation, as well as observable improvements in their organisations' evaluation capacities.
These elements collectively enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of the initiative, helping it stand out as a comprehensive and practical model for empowering organizations that work with NEETs.