The United States Agency for International Development in Jordan (USAID/Jordan) commissioned Social Impact, Inc. (SI) to conduct the Retrospective Youth Study. This study aimed to deepen understanding of outcomes among those who took part in youth-focused programming from 2010-2020, with the goal of informing future USAID/Jordan youth development strategies and activities. Primary users included staff from the USAID/Jordan Education and Youth, Democracy, Rights, and Governance (DRG), Economic and Workforce Development (EWFD), and Population and Family Health offices, as well as the cross-sectoral USAID/Jordan Youth Task Force and Women and Youth Team. The study examined key questions in four areas:
- Outcomes experienced by youth and potential contributions of USAID/Jordan programming;
- Skills developed, and how these may link to outcome achievement;
- Barriers to goal attainment; and
- Youth feedback and lessons learned for programming. The study adopted a youth-led approach, engaging a team of 12 youth researchers to collect data. In addition, the study used the participatory Most Significant Change (MSC) technique, which invites stakeholders to share stories of change and contribute to story analysis.
The study also applied a Positive Youth Development (PYD) lens, which emphasizes building skills, assets, and competencies; fostering healthy relationships; strengthening the environment; and transforming systems.