USAID Policy on Youth

USAID Youth In development Policy - Realizing the Demographic Opportunity This Policy on Youth in Development is the first of its kind for USAID. It is both timely and necessary as more than half of the world’s population today is under the age of 30, with the vast majority living in the developing world.As Secretary Clinton said in Tunisia in February 2012,“...in every region, responding to the needs and aspirations of young people is a crucial challenge for the future.”The policy is predicated on emerging best and promising practice for youth develop­ment and engagement that are gleaned from USAID and partner’s experience in youth programming, as well as through consultations with young people across the develop­ing world.The policy is further informed by principles and practices articulated in the Presidential Policy Directive on Global Development (PPD), the Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR), the National Security Strategy 2010, State Department Youth Policy 2011, USAID Forward, and the USAID Policy Framework 2011­2015. USAID has decades of valuable experience in leading efforts with young people and societies to enable safe and produc­tive transition of youth to adulthood. However, USAID has not always approached its work with youth systematically. This policy puts forward an overarching goal for youth devel­opment along with related objectives and outcomes to be achieved. It outlines a conceptual approach to youth in devel­opment and provides guiding principles and operational practices in support of USAID’s efforts to mainstream youth in development, carry out more effective programs, and ele­vate youth participation. Importantly, this policy will position USAID and its partners to capitalize on favorable global pop­ulation trends by investing in programs and policies by, with, and for youth that seize opportunity and lead to sustainable growth and human development, including through the real­ ization of what is often referred to as a demographic dividend.