“Measuring Impact: with, for and by youth organisations” (MIYO) project | YMCA Europe meetings for coordination and dissemination:
- National Secretaries General Forum, October 2023
- Leadership Academy training, November 2023
Project Overview
YMCA Europe is a part of the project “Measuring Impact: with, for and by youth organisations” with “Bureau Européen du Scoutisme” as a lead, supported by other partners: Maynooth University, YMCA Netherlands, Sojuz na izvidnici na makedonija, Junak, Scouting Ireland, Les Scouts, Scouterna. It is supported by the European Union, Erasmus plus programme.
The Project`s Objectives
1) Explore, strengthen and disseminate the impact measurement best practices inside and outside the project consortium by forming a network of research institutions and youth organisations.
2) Strengthen the digital capacity of youth organisations to utilise the impact assessment methodology through an automated data collection tool and trained consultants.
3) Measure the social impact of their non-formal education offered to youth members across a set of skills, attitudes, knowledge, and behaviours by creating a comprehensive common methodology among youth organisations.
4) Improve the educational offer, especially for young people from disadvantaged areas, and learn from each other’s strengths by gathering comparable data across several European Countries and different youth organisations.
Phases of the Project
- collecting and analysing the existing impact measurement tools;
- building YMCA Europe Consortium around this topic;
- contributing to development and pilot an impact measurement tool suggested by Maynooth University;
- preparing consultants who can assist in impact measurement;
- disseminating the tool.
Methodology Of The Impact Measurement Tool
The partners had agreed on employing the SPICES framework, a concept developed by WOSM. This framework categorises personal development into six areas: Social, Physical, Intellectual, Character, Emotional, and Spiritual. To tailor our approach, a poll among youth leaders and workers in partner organisations was conducted to prioritise the most relevant elements in each category.
The project aims to employ both quantitative (surveys) and qualitative (focus groups) research methods. This approach is intended to gauge the impact of youth programmes on personal, community, and institutional levels, aligning with the SPICES framework. To ensure clarity and prevent errors, the survey is concise, and piloting focus groups with youths provide additional insights into their personal development and community contributions.
Social Impact E-Learning Module
The Social Impact E-Learning Module, a key component of the ‘Measuring Impact: with, for and by Youth Organisations’ (MIYO) project is a comprehensive e-learning resource. It is essential for anyone eager to explore social research methodologies, ethics, and the MIYO methodology’s practical applications in the youth development context.
Designed for accessibility and in-depth learning, this module is ideal for beginners in social research as well as those seeking to refine their skills. It offers a rich blend of quantitative and qualitative research methods, presented in an engaging, interactive format.
It includes:
- Fundamental Social Research Methodologies: Dive into the core techniques and approaches used in impactful research.
- Research Ethics: Learn the principles of responsible and ethical research conduct.
- The Importance of Impact Measurement: Learn why measuring social impact is crucial, not only for internal assessment but also for communicating successes to a broader audience.
- MIYO Methodology: Gain hands-on knowledge in both quantitative and qualitative research techniques, tailored to empower youth and community initiatives.
You can join the Community of Change-Makers here: Social Impact E-Learning Module.
Consultants Training
Over the course of five intensive days (19th to 24th of September), the group of 28 leaders from 25 different countries embarked on a transformative journey, equipping themselves with a valuable skill set that promises to make a profound difference in the realm of youth development.
The essence of this training program went beyond traditional concepts; it was about fostering research skills, nurturing soft skills essential for organising and conducting research, and building a foundation in consultancy. Moreover, it was about honing the ability to decipher and effectively utilise analysed data—a crucial aspect of measuring the impact of youth organisations.
From the intricacies of DISC (Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, Conscientiousness) and the art of asking impactful questions to exploring logical levels and the psychology behind motivational interviewing, each topic was carefully crafted to enhance their skill set.
The participants also delved into coaching for change management, the dynamics of organisational culture, and understanding social impact—a comprehensive curriculum designed to shape well-rounded consultants. If you require a consultation on an impact measurement tool, reach us at info[at]ymcaeurope.com.
YMCA Europe Forum Of National General Secretaries (NGS Forum)
The 11th NGS Forum in Den Dolder, hosted by YMCA Nederlands on the 22-25th October has been a truly eye opening event – from connecting with secretary generals from across our movement to understanding and embracing YMCA Vision 2030.
It has been a great connecting with 25 National General Secretaries from across our movement, meeting the board of YMCA Nederlands and celebrating together 170 years since the movement is a beacon of youth empowerment and community support in the Netherlands – sessions filled with insightful speeches, collective resolutions and updates from across our continental movement.
The agenda included ways of implementation of the new Strategy of YMCA Europe during unprecedented humanitarian crises; engagement with the private sector led by Markus Schwertel, Government Affairs & Public Policy – HP Inc.; presentation of YMCA Europe partnerships and strategies.
A separate session was devoted to presentation, discussion and coordination of the project “Measuring Impact: with, for and by youth organisations” led by Olga Lukina, Executive Secretary for Movement Strengthening and Strategy in YMCA Europe.
The group received the key information about the project, its key elements and the achievements. The methodology was introduced and discussed. The leaders filled in the Survey and provided their feedback on the content and format. The group elaborated the ways of moving forward, including the use of capacity of the trained consultants. A special focus was put on the importance of coordination of impact measurement work with World YMCA and other global stakeholders.
Leadership Academy: “Youth Impacts: Taking Action For Inclusive Communities And Civil Society Organisations Working With Refugees”
The project YMCA Europe Leadership Academy “Youth Impacts: acting for more inclusive communities and civil society organisations working with refugees”, co-funded by the European Youth Foundation, aims at promoting inclusiveness, peace, justice and diversity in local communities through enhancing the impact of refugee services and more representational governance processes in youth CSOs.
A total of 29 young leaders from 17 countries graduated, leading 16 impactful social projects that directly benefited over 700 individuals and indirectly touched the lives of more than 13,800 people.
The project included two face-to-face sessions (four days each) with a practical assignment of designing and implementation of socially relevant projects.
The key topics of the sessions were: Intersectionality, Inclusion, Justice, Equality, Equity; CSOs and their roles and missions; Needs of people who are forced to leave countries and in receiving countries; Levels of Change; Project cycle and project design; Partnerships and Fundraising; Impact Measurement; Sustainability; Democratic representational governance; Inclusion Policy.
A separate session was devoted to the topic of Impact Measurement where the project “Measuring Impact: with, for and by youth organisations” was introduced. The young leaders discussed the term “impact”, provided practical examples to illustrate the notion and features of this term.
They got the knowledge about the MIYO project and its flow, received an invitation to pilot the tool, they filled in the survey and provided their feedback. The group discussed the Focus Group as one of the key tools of the current methodology.
The session continued with discussion of the term “sustainability” and thinking about the elements on how to make the impact more sustainable.
Final Dissemination Event
The final dissemination event is going to happen 22 February 2024 in Brussels, Belgium, where you will be able to learn about the methodology, the pilot studies and network and reflect on the future of youth impact measurement. More information is here.
The project “Measuring Impact: with, for and by youth organisations” is supported by the European Union, Erasmus plus programme.
