A Co-designed Youth Engagement Evaluation Framework

The Youth Engagement Evaluation Framework is made up of 4 components:

• values, principles, and practices (describing what quality youth engagement looks like)
• Indicators and evaluation tools (detailing how youth engagement can be monitored, and outcomes captured)
• supporting resources, and
• summary of current evidence associated with the implementation, evaluation, and outcomes of youth engagement activities.

The main purpose of this framework is to assist evaluators, youth engagement program designers and youth organisations, in designing, planning and conducting evaluations of youth engagement activities.

The University of Melbourne’s Centre for Program Evaluation team were commissioned to support the Youth Engagement Evaluation Framework development. Over the past 2 years, the team have spoken with a range of stakeholders (e.g., YACVic, YMCA, Science Gallery MENTAL Exhibit, Strong Brother Strong Sister, Mushroom Group and ABC Takeover Melbourne),  that have informed some of the principles and direction.

In 2022, 9 young people from diverse lived experiences and engagement with youth-facing programs, were brought on board to interrogate and refine the youth engagement definition, values, principles, practices as well as ranking the indicators based on importance.

We are thrilled to share the completion of the Youth Engagement Evaluation Framework.