USAID/LIBERIA YOUTH SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS February 7, 2019 This report is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), under the terms of YouthPower: Evidence and Evaluation Task Order 1 (YouthPower Learning) AID Contract # AID-OAA-I-15-00034/AID-OAA- TO-15-00011. The contents are the sole responsibility of Making Cents International and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. USAID/Liberia Youth Situational Analysis USAID/LIBERIA YOUTH SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS February 7, 2019 By Rachel Blum, Independent Consultant for Making Cents International Saah N’Tow, Independent Consultant for Making Cents International Lindsey Woolf, Making Cents International Cassandra Jessee, International Center for Research on Women/Making Cents International USAID’s YouthPower Learning generates and disseminates knowledge about the implementation and impact of positive youth development (PYD) and cross-sectoral approaches in international youth development. We are leading research, evaluations, and events designed to build the evidence base and inform the global community about how to transition young people successfully into productive, healthy adults. PYD is defined by USAID as: Positive Youth Development (PYD) engages youth along with their families, communities and/or governments so that youth are empowered to reach their full potential. PYD approaches build skills, assets and competencies; foster healthy relationships; strengthen the environment; and transform systems. Visit us at YouthPower.org to learn more and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates. For public inquiries and additional information, please email [email protected] or by mail to Making Cents International, attn. YouthPower Learning, 1350 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 410, Washington, DC 20036. i USAID/Liberia Youth Situational Analysis ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This assessment was led by Rachel Blum who developed the data collection instruments, designed the sampling strategy, oversaw the data collection process, facilitated the majority of stakeholder interviews, completed data analysis, and served as the principal author. Saah N’Tow supported data collection and preliminary analysis, while Lindsey Woolf contributed to the desk review and analysis, and Cassandra Jessee provided assessment design and technical support and oversight. The assessment team would like to thank the staff of USAID/Liberia for their support and insights. Special thanks to USAID/Liberia staff Ms. Mardea Nyumah, Mr. Malcom Phelps, Mr. Aliou Tall, Ms. Rasheena Harris- Reid, and Mr. Anthony Davies, who supported the YouthPower Learning team with planning for the assessment and provided valuable insights on the development challenges facing youth in Liberia. The team also wishes to acknowledge the support of Dr. Christy Olenik, Vice President for Technical Services, Making Cents International; and Audrey-Marie Moore, Elena Moroz and Joshua Meuth Alldredge, Mathematica Policy Research. A local research and logistics company, Center for Action Research and Training (CART), was engaged for the assessment. A special thanks to CART’s youth researchers who served as facilitators, note takers, and interpreters: Merwaker G. Borkuah, Ora Bracewell, Joseph Kamara, Nikwan B. Kpayea, and James Vululleh who provided invaluable assistance throughout the field visit. The team also wishes to acknowledge the instrumental support of CART Director, Kou M. Gbaintor-Johnson, who served as logistician. Most importantly, the team would also like to thank the many stakeholders who freely gave their time, including representatives of the government, other development partners, non-governmental organizations, and USAID-funded projects. The team is especially grateful for the contributions of Liberia’s youth who participated enthusiastically in 30 focus group discussions across six counties – this report would have been impossible without their invaluable insights. We hope that the findings contained here will be used by USAID and other stakeholders in Liberia as a starting point to design interventions that catalyze meaningful change for them, their families, and their communities. ii USAID/Liberia Youth Situational Analysis TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................................... ii Acronyms and Abbreviations .................................................................................................................... iii Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................................... i Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................................... i Findings ............................................................................................................................................................................................. i I. Introduction, Purpose, and Methodology .......................................................................................... 1 Background .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Purpose of and Research Questions Under the Cross-Sectoral Youth Assessment ....................................................... 1 Methodology ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 II. Distinguishing Youth Cohorts in Liberia ........................................................................................... 6 Defining Vulnerability ................................................................................................................................................................... 8 III. Findings: Youth Goals, Priorities, & Bright Spots ............................................................................. 9 Overall Findings .................................................................................................................................................................................. 9 The Cycle of Youth Dependency ............................................................................................................................................. 9 Summary of Findings .................................................................................................................................................................. 10 Differences by Youth Cohorts ................................................................................................................................................ 10 Education ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 12 Priorities in Education................................................................................................................................................................ 12 Bright Spots in Education and Skills Development ............................................................................................................. 14 Livelihoods ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Priorities for Youth Livelihoods .............................................................................................................................................. 15 Bright Spots in Youth Livelihoods .......................................................................................................................................... 18 Health .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 20 Priorities in Health...................................................................................................................................................................... 20 Bright Spots in Health ................................................................................................................................................................ 22 Security ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 24 Priorities for Youth’s Security ................................................................................................................................................. 24 Bright Spots in Youth Security ................................................................................................................................................ 25 Youth Engagement: Social and Civic Participation .................................................................................................................. 26 Priorities in Youth Engagement ..............................................................................................................................................