Mindanao Youth for Development (MYDev) Program Quarterly Progress Report: April – June 2016

(EDC) in the Philippines. The program aims to provide life skills and vocational training to out-of-school youth (OSY) in Mindanao, with a focus on improving employability and civic engagement. Market Analysis for Locally Relevant Programming is a key accomplishment domain in the MYDev program. In the second quarter of 2016, MYDev conducted a series of market analysis workshops in eight geographic areas to identify market-relevant trades for OSY populations. Stakeholders from local government units, DepED, TESDA, DTI, DOLE, private sector, and youth representatives participated in the workshops to review existing data, discuss programming, and share new information on the market. The result is a list of the most relevant trades for each area, which is used by OSYDAs and MYDev management to guide ongoing programming. Action Research on Private Sector Engagement for Youth Employment is another key accomplishment domain in the MYDev program. EDC requested SEAMEO INNOTECH to conduct a short operations research to document the achievements of private-sector youth development initiatives and provide a source of learning insight for other similar youth skills development initiatives locally, nationally, and globally. The research team interviewed over 15 beneficiaries and stakeholders to better understand and document this engagement. A publication and supporting video will be developed and finalized in early FY16 Q4. Community-led Documentation and Dissemination of Good Practices is also a key accomplishment domain in the MYDev program. In May 2016, over 40 members of Out-of-School Youth Development Alliances (OSYDAs) of USAID's Mindanao Youth for Development (MYDev) Program learned tools and techniques for documenting OSY successes and OSYDA good practices. The purpose was to increase support for OSY initiatives, draft plans for orienting incoming local government officials, and share good practices to a wider range of stakeholders through local learning and dissemination events. The program continued to expand its reach and depth of support to highly vulnerable youth populations by providing trainings for 2,284 new Out-of-School Youth beneficiaries in some of the most remote and conflict-affected areas of Mindanao. The new cumulative number of youth beneficiaries supported by the program to date is 15,688. The program continues to make small adaptations to Life Skills curricula, update market demand data, and identify new providers in a constant effort to ensure programming and service delivery lead to results. The MYDev program has made significant progress in improving employability and civic engagement among OSY populations in Mindanao. The program's focus on market analysis, private sector engagement, and community-led documentation and dissemination of good practices has helped to increase support for OSY initiatives and provide employment opportunities for OSY completers. The program's continued expansion of reach and depth of support to highly vulnerable youth populations has also helped to improve the lives of OSY beneficiaries in Mindanao. The program's success can be attributed to the strong partnerships between EDC, OSYDAs, and other stakeholders, as well as the program's commitment to providing high-quality life skills and vocational training to OSY populations. The program's focus on market analysis and private sector engagement has helped to ensure that the training provided is relevant and in-demand, and that OSY completers have access to employment opportunities and other forms of support.