Training Course on Youth Development, Policy, and Program Design

Course Overview
With more than half the global population under the age of 30, investing in youth is not only a demographic necessity but also a strategic imperative for sustainable development, peace, and economic prosperity. However, many youth remain marginalized due to unemployment, limited access to quality education, health services, political exclusion, and gender-based inequalities.
This course provides a comprehensive understanding of youth development principles, strategic policy formulation, and evidence-based program design tailored to the needs of young people. It draws from global frameworks (such as the African Youth Charter and UN Youth Strategy), national youth policies, and best practices in participatory program planning to ensure youth voices are integrated in governance and service delivery.
Participants will explore the multidimensional challenges facing youth and how to address them through inclusive, rights-based, and cross-sectoral strategies. The course emphasizes designing policies and programs that are youth-responsive, gender-sensitive, and aligned with national development priorities and SDGs. Through practical tools, real-life case studies, and group exercises, participants will develop skills to translate policy into impactful programs that empower youth as agents of change.
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Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
•Understand key concepts, trends, and frameworks in youth development
•Analyze national youth policies and identify gaps and opportunities
•Design inclusive youth programs that respond to local realities and needs
•Apply participatory approaches to ensure youth engagement in policy and programming
•Integrate cross-cutting themes such as gender, climate, health, and digital inclusion
•Monitor and evaluate youth-focused interventions for learning and impact
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Target Audience
This course is designed for:
•Youth program managers and officers in government, NGOs, and donor agencies
•Policy makers and advisors in youth affairs and development
•Civil society and community-based organizations working with youth
•Educators, social workers, and youth counselors
•Local government and municipal officers handling youth portfolios
•Researchers and consultants in youth and social development
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Training Methodology
•Facilitated sessions and technical briefings by youth policy experts
•Case studies from successful youth development programs
•Participatory design labs and policy simulation exercises
•Peer-to-peer learning, group discussions, and reflection sessions
•Youth-led sessions and stakeholder mapping
•Action planning tailored to participants’ organizational contexts
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Expected Outcomes
Participants will:
•Gain practical knowledge of how to develop and implement youth policies and programs
•Acquire tools to conduct youth needs assessments and stakeholder analysis
•Strengthen capacity to engage youth in decision-making and leadership
•Be able to design programs with measurable outcomes and sustainable impact
•Develop institutional strategies to mainstream youth development across sectors