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BRAC and Youth

Maria May, BRAC Social Innovation LabSanthosh Ramdoss, BRAC USA

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Methodology Program data Conversations with staffPublished literature

Goal Answer the question: to what extent has and is BRAC engaging with youth?

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Youth The period between childhood and adult age

Males and females between the ages of 11 and 25

This Presentation

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Our vision for Youth

A world free from all forms of exploitation and discrimination where young people have the opportunity to realise their potential.

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Today you will hear a lot about activities and programs

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But not from us!

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Instructions

= If you think the statement is true

= If you think the statement is false

1. Take the green and red cards out of your folder now.2. We will show a statement and read it aloud.3. Please raise ONE card immediately to indicate

whether you think the statement is true or false.4. We will estimate the results of the poll and then share

with you the answer.

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Quick test of comprehension

Brazil will win the next world cup.

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1. BRAC has been working with youth for more than

twenty years

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TRUE: BRAC has been working with youth for even longer

1990

1987

Reading Centers

Schools for older children in Bangladesh

1993Empowerment program for girls

2003Microfinance loans for young people

2007Integrated program for girls

2008Girls program in Uganda and Tanzania

2010Protecting girls from harassment

2011Innovative Livelihood and Vocational training

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2. BRAC’s “mainstream” programs reach more youth than BRAC’s youth-specific

programs

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TRUE: BRAC actually reaches a higher number of youth through

its mainstream programs

~ 3 Million Young People

Youth-Specific Programs

~ 7.5 million Young People

Mainstream Programs

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3. Today’s youth live in a different world from youth 20

years ago

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True: Today’s world is radically different

1980s

Limited mobility for girls

Getting girls into primary and secondary schools

1990s

Keeping girls in school

Delaying marriage and pregnancy

2000s

Shifting cultural norms

Increasing women in the workplace

Today

Skill training and jobs

Leveraging technology

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4. BRAC’s youth-specific programs only work with girls

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Scholarships

Adoloscent Empowerment

Employment Training

FALSE: BRAC has found ways to keep its focus on girls

75% girls

57% girls

60% girls

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5. Most participants are under the age of 15 in BRAC’s girl

programs

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Girls Program (Tanzania)

Girls Program (Uganda)

Girls Program (Bangladesh)

FALSE: Over half of the members are over the age of 15

11-15 Yrs 16-20 Yrs 21-25 Yrs

43%

27%

41%

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6. Most BRAC programs have to date “missed the

opportunity” to work with youth

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FALSE: BRAC has a growing focus on youth across

geographies

Youth-specific programs in 6 out of 10 BRAC countries

Bangladesh

Uganda

Tanzania

South Sudan

Haiti

Afghanistan

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Dabi Borrowers (Bangladesh)

Borrowers (Afghanistan)

Borrowers (Sierra Leone)

33%

22%

Clients below

the age of 25

40%

However, Youth are hidden in our mainstream programs

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7. Youth needs are largely specific to local context

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FALSE: There are huge patterns in needs

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TRUE: The solutions depend on local context

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Conclusions

• A lot of experience to build on• Opportunities to do more• Data• Diversity in youth

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Thank You

Acknowledgements

Imran Matin

Farzana Kashfi

Youth Focal Points

Sameena Alam, Social Innovation Lab

James Ariwante, BRAC USA