The research project objectives:
- scrutinise how uncertainty is perceived to affect pathways out of poverty from the perspectives of marginalised youth
- examine violence, vulnerability, risk and resilience in the complex lives of young men and women, and young people who are genderfluid, including understanding how identities and notions of autonomy and belonging are developed
- analyse youth agency in dealing with uncertainty and insecurity, their awareness of and access to their rights, and their migration behaviours
- inform and change policy discourses and practices concerning peace-building, community development and education using an improved understanding of youth uncertainty, intergenerational dynamics and changing cultural and social norms
Research participants
The age range to be researched (15-24 years) is a crucial age in which people may form lifelong values and relationships. The impact of uncertainty at this stage can, therefore, have long lasting consequences on experiences of poverty.
Through working with 1,000 youth and 320 adults and 80 key stakeholders, the international research team will analyse how thinking and strategies differ between genders and generations. In each country, 250 detailed case studies will be collected to provide stories from young men, women and youth of the third gender, aged 15-24 years, which will help to understand how marginalised youth experiences of poverty, and strategies in the face of uncertainty, change with intersecting aspects ethnicity, caste, religion, disability, education and socio-economic status.
Research locations
Nepal and Ethiopia both remain among the poorest countries in the world. Both have been affected by conflict, migration and environmental fragility. Three research locations in each country have been selected on the basis of diversity in terms of rural/urban, religion and ethnic groups, poverty and fragility due to conflict and recent environmental disaster.
Research sites
In Ethiopia:
- Addis Ketema, in Addis Ababa (urban)
- Hetosa, Oromia region (rural)
- Fogera, Amhara region – (urban and rural)
In Nepal:
- Kathmandu Valley (urban)
- Sindhupalchowk District (rural)
- Kapilbastu District– (urban and rural)
YOUR World Research Impact
YOUR World Research is youth centred research that uses Johnson’s (2011, 2017) Change-scape framework that starts from the perspectives and ideas of youth, taking into account their developing, multiple and shifting identities and their intersecting experiences of structural inequalities and inclusion. It has at its heart the concept that youth are agents of change. Therefore, in addition to their lives being affected by their physical, cultural and political environments, they are also important actors in influencing their contexts. In order for young people’s ideas and evidence to be listened to, processes of research, evaluation and intervention need to include mechanisms that help us listen to youth.
There are National and International Reference Groups and advisers. The team continues to work with adults in communities, service providers and policy makers in dialogue with youth and will be holding National Youth Seminars with line Ministries and partner NGOs in both countries.