evaluation in action
Youth
August 2013
Youth Series (4): Review of National Youth Volunteer Service Project in Liberia,
2007-2009
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
The National Youth Volunteer Service (NYVS) project
was a two-year pilot initiative, to enable youth in
Liberia to contribute to the national development
process. The NYVS project was initiated by the
Liberian Ministry of Youth and Sports, as a response
to demands of Liberian youth expressed in the Kakata
Declaration and the National Youth Policy Framework.
Followed by an eight month Preparatory Assistance
Phase funded by UNV (USD 100,000, 2006-2007), the
NYVS project was funded by UNV (USD 603,199.76)
and UNDP Liberia (USD 200,000) through 2009.
Project objectives included providing university
graduates opportunities to support public education
and health services for communities living in remote
areas, while addressing youth employability and
labour market accessibility, towards national economic
development. Further objectives were to promote
awareness of the role of volunteerism, Millennium
Development Goals and related government policies
and to strengthen citizens’ participation and social
cohesion through the involvement of youth in ‘Youth,
Governance and Volunteerism’ projects.
The NYVS mid-term review used a standardized
formative project review approach. The methodology
consisted of a two-week in-country mission in Liberia
in June and July 2008, interviews of stakeholders,
monitored focus groups and informal consultations.
KEY FINDINGS & RESULTS ACHIEVED
Under the NYVS, 67 university graduates were
recruited (100 envisioned) as National Volunteers
(NVs), 72% of which were men and 28% women. The
NVs were provided with a 3-week induction training
and a USD100 monthly living allowance. Their role
was to support the local socio-economic development
in four rural counties of Liberia. This was done through
the provision of volunteer services such as through
teaching assignments in elementary schools and
assistance in clinics. In each county, the work of the
NVs was coordinated and monitored by a National
UNV Volunteer, or NYVS Project Officer.
The NYVS project promoted positive change and
developed national capacity. The NVs brought new
technical knowledge and expertise to host institutions,
local professionals and community members, and
enriched and developed their own personal and
professional skills. Additional partners were engaged as
the positive results of the NYVS project became more
widely recognised (ILO, UNICEF, Liberian
Government). Strong political and operational support
from the Government of Liberia secured the
sustainability and long-term impact of the project, by
ensuring that it became part of a national policy and the
country’s development plan and poverty reduction
strategy, linked to local agendas and structures. This
required political coordination, advocacy,
communication, and financial investment.
RECOMMENDATIONS
A comprehensive strategy needs to be developed for
ensuring sustainability of the results achieved. This
would be supported through an effective
communications strategy, a project exit plan, and by
addressing outstanding management issues. A longterm strategic plan might carefully expand the
programme, but entails a review of the financial
support to NVs and capacity building measures of NVs
and Project Coordinators. The recruitment and
selection processes might also be improved,
especially to attract more female applicants.
LESSONS
Promotion of volunteerism was strengthened by NVs
acting as role models and by involving communities in a
way that brings concrete and visible benefits. The
NYVS project thus showed that working with youth
volunteers is a constructive approach which exposes
young people to the realities and problems present in
their country. It has also demonstrated the added value
of volunteerism as a route to empowerment in Liberia.
CROSS - CUTTING THEMES
Gender was a central theme in community work through the
NVs active involvement in advocating to end gender-based
violence, traditional gender inequality and discriminatory
practices by teaming up with local organisations.
GOOD PRACTICES
Friends of the Volunteers: NVs regularly organised games,
arts and activities for school children, which sensitised parents
and other community members to the role of NVs, and the idea
of volunteering.
NVs integrated into local structures: NVs performed
community development tasks at local and civil society
organisations, to train and build capacity of local actors.
The induction training enabled coherence of NVs work, and
thus helped to guarantee good results.
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
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