Retrospective Study of USAID-Supported Youth Development Activities in Jordan

With 63 percent of Jordan’s population falling under the age of 30, USAID/Jordan commissioned Social Impact, Inc. to conduct the Retrospective Youth Study to investigate the outcomes of those who took part in youth-focused programming from 2010-2020. The study focused on interventions for youth ages 10-29 supported by the USAID/Jordan Education and Youth, Democracy, Rights, and Governance (DRG), Economic and Workforce Development (EWFD), and Population and Family Health offices. The study investigated what skills they developed and outcomes they achieved, along with how they might have overcome financial, social, political, and other barriers to success.

The study examined key questions in four areas: 1) Outcomes experienced by youth and potential contributions of USAID/Jordan programming; 2) Skills developed, and how these may link to outcome achievement; 3) Barriers to goal attainment; and 4) Youth feedback and lessons learned for programming.

The purpose of the Retrospective Youth Study was to inform the design and implementation of future USAID/Jordan youth development strategies and activities. To that end, the study also included a review of youth programming implemented by international “peer” donors of USAID/Jordan, ensuring that the full landscape of youth development initiatives in Jordan could be used to inform forward-looking program decisions. The study provided concrete conclusions and recommendations for the Mission as well as for implementing partners that carry out youth development interventions.