YES Methodology

Two core design principles drive our work:

1. The recognition that no one individual or institution can do the work alone; working in partnership is essential.
2. Our belief in building self reliance and absorption capacity in our YES Network countries.

We bring these principles to life by inspiring the launch of YES Country Networks, which are inter-generational and multi-stakeholder groups led by youth. We connect these Networks to governments, donors, partners among others. With Network leaders, we help design, implement and evaluate projects, always working with key partners. Our active support in bringing learning from other effective practices and new ideas to the table enriches the program.

The Opportunity:

Through the YES Fund we propose to work in partnership with leaders and innovators to imaginatively address the development challenges though a market-driven enterprise approach described in the section below. It is clear that on the one hand there are very few jobs in the private and public sectors in the YES Network countries; on the other hand there are immense development needs for energy, safe water and sanitation, bridging the digital divide, on-farm and off-farm employment, and HIV/AIDS.  These two issues can be effectively bridged by championing an employment-based approach in dealing with the developmental challenges. The only way the vast majority of youth can be absorbed into the workforce is by offering them viable opportunities for self-employment.

Renewable Energy:

1. Organize young people at the community level to assemble, install, service and market renewable energy systems.
2. Provide renewable energy entrepreneurship training and seed grants or access to microfinance credit for innovative youth to launch their own renewable energy enterprise such as (1) providing energy for agro-based industries for making fruit pulp and juices, pickles, and drying vegetables; (2) manufacturing of home lighting systems - lights, fans and small refrigerators for storing medication, milk (3) Designing and installing small power plants for institutions (4) maintenance of renewable energy systems and selling and installing small home systems such as solar panels (5) manufacturing of solar lanterns for fishing activities during the night and renewable energy based ICTs to enhance access to income generation opportunities, especially in rural areas (6) solar cookers (7) installation and maintenance of solar powered community facilities in rural areas

On-farm and off-farm:

Orient agricultural extension programs towards youth, which includes (1) preparing then to set up small enterprises (2) working with credit institutions to help youth build productive assets such as land, livestock, equipment and others (3) vocational training, micro-entrepreneurship in the curriculum targeting young women (4) i dentifying, natural resource based micro enterprises, and offering rural youth business development services to start such enterprises (5) building an understanding of how agro-business value chains work and supporting rural youth entrepreneurs in producing value-added farm products.

Water and Sanitation:

Integrate youth in community management processes to improve the availability and supply of clean drinking water, sanitation services, and environmental conditions through (1) research, develop and disseminate information on water and sanitation sector, to inform and support behavioral change at the village level (2) support income-generating programs in rain water-harvesting, storage and supply (3) organizing community level training for youth to build and maintain low cost toilets in rural areas and tackle the sanitation needs of people in villages. (4) training youth to build and maintain hand pumps to provide water supply to rural communities.

Information Communication Technology:

Develop programs to support ICT-based entrepreneurship through (1) Knowledge Centers that provide information and a business development network that seeks to link youth entrepreneurs, interns, investors, incubators with each other (2) “Youth in Business Centers” to support developing business ideas, explore credit options and financial management, and assist in marketing, product development (3) training youth in web based services such as website development and e-marketing (4) training youth as educators and mentors for distance learning and business development (5) supporting agriculture though ICT tools (6) incorporating the use of ICTs to support the educational programs for the students of the elementary and middle schools in the communities.

Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS:

Improve the reproductive health and family planning choices of women through: (1) life skills and leadership trainings with reproductive health messages embedded (2) providing vocational, professional and entrepreneurial trainings (3) conducting pilot programs to evaluate the correlation between economic empowerment and improved reproductive health status (4) improve the livelihood opportunities of youth living with HIV/AIDS - training them in “positive living”, peer/educators/mentors, establishing a support and mentorship network (5) strengthen services by introducing a greater focus on youth livelihood initiatives, and supporting the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the delivery of youth-friendly HIV/AIDS and reproductive heath services.

Your Involvement is Key

All good ideas are pipe-dreams if not backed by committed leadership and resources – we are seeking yours. We have spent the last 8 years placing the issue of youth employment on the global agenda, making a call for action, building coalitions, and piloting good ideas. Now we need you to help us to move to the next level of our work where we match our passion for generating youth employment with your committed support. We have uncovered bubbling youth leadership, and drive; identified promising sectors for employment generation; enrolled world leaders; build partnerships; discovered quantifiable, innovative and practical solutions; and possess the dream team (84 YES Country Networks led by youth) and project management skills that make us amply qualified to receive your investment. With your active involvement we will be able to develop model programs that can be scaled up and replicated. There are many levels of investment available to you to help us achieve this mission, from supporting a country-specific initiative to sponsoring a global program.

We would like to customize a program just for you and with you. Please give us an opportunity to work with you.

There are many benefits of working with us, the main one being working with a truly inspiring movement of action led by youth at country level. Helping youth regain the dignity and self-reliance of their nations by working on development issues through an employment-led approach. In addition you will also have the following key benefits:

(1) Branding and Partnership Opportunities:

There are a number of different branding and publicity outlets. A) Endorsement on the YES website which receives about 400,000 hits per month and 40,000 page views. B) Access and direct link to the youth and youth market in over 80 countries through the YES Networks. C) Acknowledgement of Partnership at all YES Global Summits (2008, 2010, and 2012) with logo positioning, banners, etc. D) Logo and acknowledgement in all Summit promotional materials E) Participation and a complementary booth at the Innovation Marketplace.

(2) Working with youth leaders:

Our focus is on building the capacity of youth to participate as active partners and not just as beneficiaries of programs has brought incredible young people into our fold. In working with us you will be part of an international coalition of youth who are now viewing themselves more as global citizens rather than belonging to their geography of birth. The Internet has made this possible. This is a real and tangible opportunity to make a difference with a generation of youth who think ‘possibility’ rather than ‘barriers’.

(3) Access to YES Country Networks:

YES Networks are a highly visible, motivated and connected leadership group in their countries. Membership of YES Networks is diverse, including government officials, development agencies, business groups, and youth-serving civil society organizations in addition to the youth leaders.

(4) A Proven Track Record of Finance Leveraging and Project Management:

Incubated for 8 years as a program of EDC, our business practices are the highest quality of project management skills, fiscal oversight and accountability. The YES Inc. has successfully leveraged financial investments to advance the work of YES youth leaders in over 60 countries.

(5) Access to Cambridge College’s expertise in integrating work, learning, and technology:

Cambridge College offers a unique environment where working adults can continue their education by building on a lifetime of learning. Cambridge College recognizes diversity as an asset to the classroom, the community, and to our society. Our innovative teaching and learning model helps adult students meet the challenges of higher education and earn the degree credentials they need to advance their careers.

Management

Overall fiscal and administrative management of the projects will be provided by YES Inc. staff. Within countries the projects will be implemented by members of the YES Networks. All projects will be designed and implemented collaboratively with local partners to build in-country capacity and sustainability. In addition, project design will be supported by the 6Es of the YES Framework for Action Employability, Employment generation, Equity, Entrepreneurship, Environmental sustainability and Empowerment of youth.