The current economic crisis with its gloomy implications for lost generations leaves many disadvantaged young people with ever diminishing opportunities. Violent youth protests in many countries have been widely reported and different approaches called for. The Youth Empowerment Partnership Programme (YEPP) is a fully evaluated on-going international programme, funded by a consortium of American and European foundations, that has been operating and developing for over 10 years. The first phase - YEPP I – had a strong focus on evaluating the impact of YEPP in order to determine whether this app ... More

The current economic crisis with its gloomy implications for lost generations leaves many disadvantaged young people with ever diminishing opportunities. Violent youth protests in many countries have been widely reported and different approaches called for. The Youth Empowerment Partnership Programme (YEPP) is a fully evaluated on-going international programme, funded by a consortium of American and European foundations, that has been operating and developing for over 10 years. The first phase - YEPP I – had a strong focus on evaluating the impact of YEPP in order to determine whether this approach would work in an international context. As a result YEPP's concept of change and structure were implemented in six European countries. YEPP aims to empower young people and the communities in which they live by making them central to new decision-making processes involving partnerships between public, private and independent sectors. Learning from the YEPP I evaluation, YEPP II implemented several measures to improve the approach and methodology and expanded YEPP in more than eight European countries with 18 Local Programme Sites stressing the strengthening of partnerships, sustainability and policy advocacy. Youth and community empowerment in Europe provides the theoretical context for this programme and gives a full account of the process and outcomes of over ten years of joint effort in its unique development and research process. The book also reflects upon the lessons learnt for future policy, including developing effective evaluation strategies. It will appeal to practitioners, researchers, policymakers and decision-makers in foundations.