Youth Mapping Study - DFID's Approach to Young People

This study was commissioned by the Youth Working Group of the Civil Society / DFID Network on Children and Youth. Its purpose was to assess the current approaches to youth in DFID’s development cooperation in both policy and country assistance practice. The study was conducted by a single consultant over a period of 30 working days, by a review of a substantial sample of DFID documents and interviews with a selection of DFID staff members (field and HQ) and partner organisations. Young people between the ages of 15 and 24 are among the most marginalised and vulnerable of the world’s poor. The extent to which they are affected by HIV / AIDS, unemployment and missed educational opportunities can result in them leading unhealthy, unfulfilled adult lives - if they live that long. On the other hand, youth represent a largely untapped resource for the contribution they can make - both to their own countries’ development and to the acheivement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) globally.