Victory Against Malnutrition Plus (VIMPLUS) Youth Needs Assessment

The assessment was part of the Resilience in the Sahel Enhanced II (RISE II) initiative, which aims to support vulnerable communities in preparing for and managing recurrent crises and pursuing sustainable pathways out of poverty. The assessment was performed by Bersama International LLC under the direction of Save the Children, with contributions from ACDI/VOCA and other stakeholders. The report acknowledges the collaboration with adolescent girls and boys, their parents, and youth workers in Yalgo, Tougouri, and Pissila. The assessment involved a desk review and field assessment to gather data on adolescent practices and activities, adolescents and their families, and adolescents and their community. The desk review findings highlighted the importance of adolescent participation in decision-making processes and the need for support in accessing education and economic opportunities. The field assessment findings revealed that adolescent girls and boys face significant challenges in accessing education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. The majority of adolescents reported earning money through informal activities, such as selling goods or providing services, and faced risks associated with these strategies. The assessment also highlighted the importance of community support and the need for adolescents to have a safe and supportive environment to thrive. The discussion section of the report emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to address the needs of adolescent girls and boys. The report recommends operational recommendations, literacy and education recommendations, and resource allocation to support adolescent development. The operational recommendations include increasing adolescent participation in decision-making processes, providing support for adolescent education and economic opportunities, and promoting positive youth development (PYD) practices. The literacy and education recommendations emphasize the need for inclusive and relevant education programs that address the needs of adolescent girls and boys. The report also highlights the importance of community support and the need for adolescents to have a safe and supportive environment to thrive. The assessment findings and recommendations provide a foundation for the development of effective programs and policies to support adolescent development in Burkina Faso and Niger. The assessment identified several key challenges and opportunities for adolescent development, including the need for increased access to education and economic opportunities, the importance of community support, and the need for adolescents to have a safe and supportive environment to thrive. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the needs and challenges faced by adolescent girls and boys in Burkina Faso and Niger, and highlights the importance of a comprehensive approach to address these needs. The assessment findings and recommendations provide a foundation for the development of effective programs and policies to support adolescent development in Burkina Faso and Niger. The report emphasizes the need for a collaborative approach that involves government, non-governmental organizations, and community stakeholders to address the needs of adolescent girls and boys. The report highlights the importance of adolescent participation in decision-making processes and the need for support in accessing education and economic opportunities. The assessment findings and recommendations provide a foundation for the development of effective programs and policies to support adolescent development in Burkina Faso and Niger. The Victory Against Malnutrition Plus (ViMPlus) Youth Needs Assessment provides a comprehensive overview of the needs and challenges faced by adolescent girls and boys in Burkina Faso and Niger. The report emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to address the needs of adolescent girls and boys, and highlights the importance of community support and the need for adolescents to have a safe and supportive environment to thrive.