evaluation in action
Youth
Youth Series (3): UNV / UNDP Youth Programme in Kyrgyzstan, 2007-2008
August 2013
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme has been promoting the role of youth in development since 1976 and is currently
developing a comprehensive UN Youth Volunteers Programme in response to the UN Secretary-General’s Five-Year Action
Agenda (announced on 25 January 2012). Building on the work of the UNV Evaluation Unit, the following series outlines UNV
projects implemented from 2007 to 2012 which have focused on youth. The UNV Youth projects/programmes covered several
areas, ranging from post-conflict and recovery to disaster management and health in the regions of Eastern Europe, Central Asia
and Western Africa. The main objectives of these interventions include improving education, youth employability, computer literacy,
access to the internet, leisure activities, gender equality, migration issues and social inclusion.
BACKGROUND
RECOMMENDATIONS
Challenges of developing an independent state after
Kyrgyzstan gained independence in 1991, and
weaknesses in governance have slowed economic
growth and resulted in unfair distribution of benefits to
society. Although youth under age 25 make up over
half the population in Kyrgyzstan, some reforms
implemented since independence have had a
negative effect on youth, particularly those in
vulnerable situations. Building on previous project
gains, the ‘Strengthening Youth Volunteerism’
Programme sought to ensure active involvement of
youth, especially young women and girls, in
developing state youth policy. Most of the program
funds were provided by UNV (273,111 USD) and
UNDP (70,000 USD), in addition to resources
provided by other partners, for 2007 to 2008.
The final evaluation conducted in October 2010, was
in response to UNV and UNDP senior management
interest, with an emphasis placed on possible future
projects geared toward the complementary aspects of
youth involvement in grassroots and policy work.
Methods used included a desk review, interviews,
focus groups, field visits and survey.
Kyrgyzstan’s youth would benefit from continued
programming with particular attention to cross-cutting
themes such as supporting marginalized groups,
including women, those living in rural areas, and ethnic
minorities. An integrated, holistic programme design is
recommended with an exit strategy, flexible
implementation, and clear and consistent management.
A strong focus should be placed on strengthening a
broad range of NGOs and community groups as well as
building institutional capacity of the Government to
further implement youth policy. Results should be
measured against expectations for all project activities,
which need to be systematically monitored. To
maximize the existing positive impacts, results and
related data should be published on the Youth Portal to
retain new ideas, perceived knowledge and experience
gained. Gender issues might be more explicitly included
in work plans, annual reports and data collection, to
encourage a more strategic approach. Training should
be provided on standard UNDP/UNV procedures while
capacity building is also needed to ensure broad-based
support.
KEY FINDINGS & RESULTS ACHIEVED
The Youth Programme had a strong impact on
democracy in Kyrgyzstan, with the creation of a Ministry
of Youth Affairs in 2010, and many participants are now
working within the government and national NGOs. The
White Paper published as a result of the Programme
was a significant contribution to the youth policy
dialogue. Volunteer work camps were an effective
activity for building trust with participants. However, a
stronger link to a coherent strategic vision, for more
oversight and mentoring of staff, with clearly defined
roles and responsibilities would have aided in
implementation of the programme.
The Programme encouraged aid effectiveness through
mobilizing and building capacity of youth to become
more involved in their country’s development by
encouraging them to express their socio-political
interests. This included, for example, developing the
state youth policy through a ‘White Paper’,
encouraging participation in the democratic process
through a ‘Summer School for Democracy’, and the
creation of a Youth Volunteer Network. The
Programme also assisted the government to achieve
its Country Development Strategy as well as UNDP in
achieving its goal of increased employment and
income generation, by contributing to reducing
poverty, encouraging social stability and strengthening
state agencies. At the core of this program was
mobilizing volunteers and promoting volunteerism,
assisting UNV in achieving its mission. The focus on
youth policy, capacity building and networking
allowed for the effective promotion of democracy
building, community development, peace building and
volunteerism.
LESSONS
BEST PRACTICES
Public-Private Partnerships for Youth Networks:
Graduates from the Summer School for Democracy continue
to actively promote peace building through a regional project
called “Caravan Young Central Asia”, supported by the Asia
Universal Bank and World Bank. A training of trainers was
also organised for business students on promoting
entrepreneurship as volunteers, as part of the “Rural Youth
Entrepreneurship” project, with support from the Bishkek
Business Club and ILO.
United Nations Volunteers
PO Box 260 111 53153 Bonn Germany Telephone +49.228.815-2000 Fax +49.228.815-2001
Email information@unvolunteers.org http://www.unvolunteers.org
UN Volunteers is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP