UP TO YOUTH Q4 FY20 PERFORMANCE REPORT

The activity aims to address youth vulnerable to social exclusion by mobilizing and engaging youth in meaningful ways to effect positive change, thus increasing youth's resilience to social exclusion and, consequently, violent extremism. The Up to Youth activity is valued at $8,937,089 and is implemented in nine municipalities in Kosovo. The activity has three interconnected and mutually reinforcing objectives, which are grounded in a Positive Youth Development (PYD) approach. Objective 1 focuses on mobilizing youth to be positive forces for change, while Objective 2 equips youth with skills to engage and play a meaningful role in their municipal and/or national economy. Objective 3 develops, builds, and supports resilience partners in fostering an environment for youth to engage in a positive and meaningful way. During the reporting period from July 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021, the Up to Youth activity completed several activities. Under Objective 1, the activity finalized the first round of Social Change Fund (SCF) initiatives and commenced with implementation of all 27 initiatives. A meeting of the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) was held, and preparations for engagement of the third YAB cohort were initiated. The process of youth outreach and engagement was finalized, and 88 youth attended municipal budget hearings in their municipalities this quarter. Under Objective 2, the activity completed a second round of in-person meetings with 18 youth cohorts to review the results of the Training Needs Analysis (TNA) and identify additional training topics. Two Schools of Entrepreneurship with a total of 47 youth participating were implemented, and three short online trainings on the use of online platforms to seek engagement opportunities were held. Recruitment of a fourth cohort of six internal interns was finalized, while placement of 25 youth in external internships in the private/public sector, or with NGOs, was completed and is being monitored. Under Objective 3, Youth Support Networks (YSNs) focused primarily on design and implementation of SCF initiatives. YSNs organized 16 municipality-based meetings for this purpose. The activity also maintained adaptations previously made to its staff schedules, vehicle procedures, procurement needs, and training curricula in view of soaring infection and death rates in Kosovo during late summer and early fall. All eligible Up to Youth staff have now received COVID vaccinations, while approximately two out of three youth in our programs have at least received their first jab. The Up to Youth activity emphasizes working with marginalized youth, particularly those underserved by current and past youth-focused initiatives, grappling with unaddressed stress and trauma, or vulnerable to developing risky behaviors. Vulnerability characteristics include extreme poverty, exposure to GBV and other violence, lack of employment, non-majority ethnic status, and trouble in school. The activity has also made concerted efforts to reach youth with disabilities (YWD), a group that has been historically excluded from education and community-based programming. The activity applies an evidence-based approach to youth learning, equipping youth with the skills they need to demonstrate agency in leading community asset mapping; analyzing data to identify youth-related challenges or priorities in their community; and working with other youth and local stakeholders to design and implement solutions such as advocacy campaigns, community initiatives, and social ventures. By empowering youth to use data and analysis, and to leverage and engage their support networks and government, youth vulnerable to social exclusion will make informed, effective contributions to their communities and amplify and strengthen their voice and ability to positively affect policies and services that strengthen youth resilience and allow them to effect positive change in meaningful ways.