Peruvian youth participation and civic : engagement assessment

The assessment identifies the issues that most interest youth, the means of communication they use, and the opportunities they have to become involved, benefit from, and participate in USAID/Peru’s activities. The assessment provides recommendations for the Agency and implementing partner organizations to make youth presence and participation in their components more visible. The assessment used secondary information produced from 2018 to 2021 and primary information from key informants. Results show that youth in the country continue to comprise a demographic dividend that benefits development. Their main concerns revolve around education, work, and health. They have lost confidence in the institutional framework due to excessive corruption. Likewise, political and citizen participation is limited mainly to urban youth, who have reoriented their means of organization and participation through online media and social networking. Most USAID activities involve youth, but they are not visible or explicitly part of the target population, so there is little or no information about them. However, they are indirect beneficiaries and are also recognized as invaluable resources. The results of this assessment will be used to update the USAID/Peru development strategy.