Scoping study and strategy development for youth empowerment in Cambodia using a mixed- methods approach
Client Name: SOS Children’s Villages (SOS)
Location: Cambodia (Phnom Penh, Siem Rea, Battambang, Ratanakiri, Krati)
Background Context: SOS Children’s Villages has been working in Cambodia since 2000, responding to local needs and challenges of communities, specifically vulnerable children. As a part of the strategy 2030, SOS seeks to empower young people by strengthening their care and employability. Globally, it is envisaged that 90 percent of youth shall be self-reliant when they leave alternative care.
Objectives
Given the context of youth in Cambodia and SOS Children’s Villages' strategy focuses on empowering and strengthening the care of youth by 2030. Development Solutions was commissioned to conduct a study to understand better the context of youth in Cambodia, and specifically those in SOS to enable an intervention and advocacy strategy.
- To study and understand the broader context of youth in Cambodia – their access to education, employment, their needs and aspirations and Government policies and programs for youth
- Given the context of the youth in Cambodia and the context of SOS Programs - Examine how the SOS Children’s Villages have affected the lives of the children they care for and specifically understand how the interventions of SOS have prepared the youth in the SOS programs for their adult life
- Examine how the interventions of SOS on education and vocational training meet the youth aspirations and market needs. Determine the key differentials between the SOS Programs and Government programs.
- Examine the role of the Vocational Training Centre and suggest measures for improving the functioning of the VTC.
- Identify key gaps and suggest time time-bound road map of interventions for SOS Children Village to improve the status of youth in Cambodia.
Approach and Methodology
- Method/ Design: Mixed methods- Literature review, quantitative survey and qualitative interactions (in-depth interviews and focus group discussions)
- Key Respondents/ Informants: Youth: SOS Children’s village homes, youth from households under the Family Strengthening Program, youth in SOS Hermann Gmeiner Schools, youth in SOS vocational training schools, government officials, development professionals, industry stakeholders, staff at vocational training centers, SOS program staff, SOS mothers, commune leaders
- Key Areas of Inquiry: Poverty and vulnerability, issues and challenges of youth in Cambodia, policies and programs for youth in Cambodia, youth interventions by other organizations, the impact of SOS on the lives of youth, challenges of young persons in the Family Strengthening Program
- Sample: Quantitative (262), Qualitative (55)
Impact
The study findings informed the client's strategy for youth empowerment, employability and education, enabling youth to be leaders - in their in-house and community-based programs.
Contact
17/109, Lower Ground Floor, Vikram Vihar, Lajpat Nagar IV, New Delhi – 110024