The development sector can turn any moral commitment into a framework – it’s a skill. Youth partnership is a favourite, because it sounds like progress while remaining delightfully vague about who holds the pen, the budget, and the final decision.
A theory of change is where vagueness ends and clarity lives. So ask yourself, when you say “youth partnership” in AYSRHR, do you mean shared power, or shared agtirtime?
Principle is easy,
practice is not
In AYSRHR, youth engagement is widely recognised as essential. The gap shows up when organisations try to translate that agreement into day-to-day partnership that is meaningful, accountable, and sustainable.That gap is rarely about bad intentions. It’s usually about unclear roles, uneven power, and the quiet habits of institutions that default to adult control unless you actively design otherwise.
This is where a theory of change becomes practical. It gives a structured way to explain how youth partnership is expected to create change, and what needs to be true for that change to happen.
Why a ToC on Youth Partnership is Necessary
How YIELD Hub’s Theory of Change
Adds Value to Existing Tools and Resources
in summary…
The Theory of Change on Youth Partnership in AYSRHR is a practical, adaptable, and dynamic tool that meets the evolving needs of the development field. By bridging gaps, fostering accountability, and enhancing the impact of youth participation, it serves as a vital addition to the toolbox of practitioners, policymakers, and young leaders alike. Organisations working in youth health should consider integrating this framework to ensure their efforts are strategic, inclusive, and transformative.
