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Summary

Youth networks are membership groups where young people engage with each other to develop their careers, build relationships, exchange insights, explore their futures, or collaborate to take action on social issues. Networks are typically based on some shared identity, which could be geographic, thematic/ sector-specific, or affiliation (such as alumni of a particular program or school). They can be virtual, in-person, or a hybrid of both, and may use existing social media platforms. They can be made of individuals or youth-led organizations.

Program Examples

Africa: DREAMS (Multi-Country), Tanganyika Conflict Mitigation and Reconciliation Project (DRC)

Asia: WE Act (Cambodia), USAID Achieve (Thailand), Emerging Leaders Academy (Sri Lanka, Indonesia), Paani (Nepal), Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI)

Europe and Eurasia: European Democracy Youth Network (EDYN), Up to Youth (Kosovo), LEAD MK Fellowship Program (North Macedonia), Kosovo Youth Dialogue (Kosovo), Civic Engagement Project  (North Macedonia), Civic Engagement in Local Governance (Armenia), UNITY (Ukraine), YouThink (North Macedonia)

LAC: Red Alerta Joven (Dominican Republic), Proyecto Acción Transformadora (Guatemala), Puentes  (Guatemala), DREAMS (Haití)

MENA: USAID YouthPower  (Jordan), Ma3an (Tunisia)

Global: Generation Democracy, YouthLead, Youth Excel,  Youth Mappers, Youth Digital Champions, One Health Workforce - Next Generation

Sample Indicators

Standard Indicators

Youth-5

Source: Youth F-Indicators Reference Sheet

Custom (Illustrative) Indicators:

# of youth participating in network activity; # or % of youth with increased professional networks; # or % of youth with increase in supportive relationships; # or % of youth with increased sense of membership in [school, community]