YLP Mobilisation Tools: developed, tried and tested

About the Youth Livelihood Program

The Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP) is Government of Uganda financed programme designed as one of the interventions of the Government in response to the high unemployment rate and poverty among youth in the country. The program aims at supporting Ugandan Youth (aged 18-30) to harness their socio-economic potential and increase self-employment opportunities and income levels.

Numbers of youth with disabilities participating in the program, particularly those with visual and hearing impairments, has been noticeably low. Misinformation about the application process, doubts on availability of funds and inaccessibility of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) material on the program have been sighted as major contributors to the fact.

Co-creation

The Make 12.4% Work Initiative, in partnership with Mango Tree Uganda and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) is looking to increase participation of these target groups by developing mobilisation tools that are simple to understand, contain accurate information about the program and are, most of all, accessible.

From the 26th to 28th of March 2019, a co-creation workshop that engaged all relevant stakeholders including officials from the MGLSD, representatives of youth with visual and hearing impairments and beneficiaries of the YLP program was conducted.

Prototypes developed

Trigger Video

A 7-minute video with inspirational stories from youth with visual and hearing impairments conducting successful enterprises and information about the YLP; including application procedures and eligibility requirements.

Inspiration Cards

A set of 10 cards containing information about viable businesses that could be established within the limit of YLP funds (maximum of 12 million Ugandan Shillings) and additional information on how youth with visual, hearing and intellectual impairments could be involved in each of the businesses.

The Inclusion Chain Game

The Inclusion Chain Game contains Images with two story-lines of youth with visual and hearing impairments.

One story-line (broken chain) depicts the effects of their exclusion from family and community activities, them attempting to start their own business, receiving no help and ultimately failing.

The second story-line (complete chain) depicts the impact of inclusion; family and community involve them in meetings, and support them to start a business which they ultimately succeed at.

Sub-Testing of Prototypes

On the 18th and 21st of October 2019, focus group discussions were held in Adyei and Oromo sub counties of Lira District. The three prototypes were showcased to an audience of community members, youth with visual and hearing impairments and the respective sub-county Community Development Officer (CDO) for their input and feedback.

Next steps

Feedback received from the sessions will be incorporated and final changes made to the prototypes before rolling out for a longer testing period, scheduled for January 2020.

For more information about the tools, contact l.abenaitwe@light-for-the-world.org