Envisioning a Better Future: Youth Excel Research Initiative
by Irene Opondo | Research and Learning Coordinator, BOMA
While overall unemployment numbers throughout Kenya have slowly declined over the past decade, unemployment among youth persists, with increased tensions and protests reaching a boiling point in the latter half of 2024. Accounting for almost 68% of Kenya’s 13% unemployment rate, youth people in rural areas like Marsabit county face unique socio-economic challenges, including limited access to education, unemployment, and cultural norms that hinder their full participation in decision-making processes at home and in the communities where they reside.
Youth Excel (YE) is a global program funded by USAID and led by IREX which seeks to address these challenges by engaging young people already enrolled in development programming with a study focused on agriculture, entrepreneurship, and social inclusion. BOMA focused its research on our REAP for Youth model, which is currently being implemented through the Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (SEED) program, targeting vulnerable and marginalized youth (ages 18-34).
Through an iterative learning process, youth researchers conducted participatory assessments and co-creation workshops, identifying key barriers to agricultural engagement which included:
- Limited financial resources and access to markets
- Negative perceptions of agriculture as a viable career path
- Gender-based barriers that restrict women’s participation in agribusiness
- Lack of mentorship and role models in the agricultural sector
The findings from these assessments underscored the importance of integrating youth perspectives into program design and delivery. By placing youth at the center of research and decision-making, programs can provide empowerment to become change agents in their own communities. Given the ongoing nature of SEED programming, many of the research findings/recommendations from the Youth Excel initiative were able to be integrated as adaptations, further increasing the success and sustainability of BOMA’s programmatic impact.
Key Research Learnings
- Building Skills and changing perceptions through mentorship in the SEED program
One of the SEED program’s core interventions is the mentorship component, designed to equip participants with the skills and knowledge needed to establish sustainable agri-enterprises. The research revealed that mentorship—both structured and informal—played a pivotal role in shifting youth perceptions about agriculture from a subsistence activity to a viable economic opportunity. Peer-to-peer mentorship also fostered a sense of community and mutual support, with many participants forming collaborative networks to share knowledge and resources.
However, challenges such as inconsistent participation due to other competing priorities like family responsibility and geographic barriers such as the long distances limited the effectiveness of the mentorship. To address these issues, post-research program adaptations recommended by the implementation research under Youth Excel included the development of structured mentorship guides, leveraging digital tools to facilitate remote learning and mentorship sessions.
- Intersectional approaches to address gender and social barriers
The Intersectional Rapid Gender and Protection Analysis (IRGPA) conducted as part of the research highlighted the need to address deep-rooted gender norms and social barriers that limit youth participation in agriculture. Key findings included:
- Women and girls often face discrimination in accessing resources and decision-making roles.
- Societal norms perpetuate gender-based violence, limiting women’s mobility and participation in economic activities.
- There is a significant digital divide between men and women, impacting women’s ability to access information and financial services.
The research has resulted in recommendations for future programs to include digital literacy programs for women, community campaigns to challenge traditional gender norms, and policy advocacy to promote gender equality in agriculture to help eliminate gaps and social barriers.
- Practical and experiential learning in agribusiness
The Youth Excel research initiative placed a strong emphasis on practical and experiential learning, recognizing that hands-on experience is essential for building sustainable agri-businesses. Research revealed that participants benefitted significantly from farm visits, boot camps, and real-world case studies. These practical learning sessions equipped participants with the skills to:
- Conduct market research and develop business plans
- Manage financial resources effectively
- Leverage technology to improve agricultural practices and market their products
The research also identified gaps in access to farming tools, irrigation systems, and digital technologies. This is due to financial constraints and low agricultural technology uptake in Marsabit. Through partnerships with local government and private sector actors, programs can help ensure participants have the resources needed for success.
Design thinking and innovation in youth-focused programming
Youth Excel employs a design thinking approach, helping to ensure that the SEED program interventions were responsive to the needs and aspirations of youth participants in Marsabit. This approach involved:
- Empathy: Understanding the lived experiences of youth and the socio-economic context of Marsabit and the socio-economic realities they face. This was achieved through participatory research methods, including in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and community mapping exercises. These methods provided insights into the challenges faced by youth, such as limited access to economic opportunities, climate-related risks, and social barriers.
- Co-Creating Solutions with Youth: Throughout the program, Youth Excel facilitated a cocreation workshop and focus group discussions to co-create solutions with youth participants. These sessions encouraged open dialogue, creativity, and critical thinking, enabling youth to contribute their ideas on how best to address the challenges they identified. By prioritizing youth voices, the program ensured that proposed interventions were culturally appropriate and aligned with the aspirations of young people in Marsabit. The process also empowered youth to take ownership of the solutions, fostering a sense of agency and commitment to the program’s success.
This iterative process prompted by YE findings allowed the SEED program to adapt to emerging challenges and opportunities, ensuring that its interventions remained relevant and impactful.
Policy and Stakeholder Recommendations
These research findings have significant implications for policymakers, development partners, and other stakeholders. Key recommendations include:
- Strengthening Policy Implementation: Ensure that policies promoting youth engagement in agriculture are translated into tangible actions, such as access to land, financial resources, and mentorship programs.
- Bridging the Digital Divide: Expand digital literacy programs and improve network connectivity in rural areas to facilitate technology-driven agricultural solutions.
- Promoting Gender Equality: Implement community awareness campaigns to challenge traditional gender norms and advocate for women’s equal participation in agribusiness.
- Scaling Mentorship Programs: Develop structured mentorship frameworks and leverage digital tools to enhance the reach and effectiveness of peer-to-peer learning.
The Youth Excel research conducted on BOMA’s SEED programming provided a tangible example of how young people in Kenya and beyond can take ownership of their futures and improve difficult situations for the better. This initiative has laid the foundation for a more inclusive and sustainable agricultural sector enabling us to celebrate the resilience and creativity of youth populations and continue to invest in their potential to drive positive change in their homes and communities.