Youth Assessment in Angola March 31, 2006 Prepared by: Clare Ignatowski, Ph.D. USAID/ EGAT/ED Cristina Rodrigues, Ph.D. Consultant ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Ramon Balestino, M.A. Consultant The assessment team first acknowledges the leadership of Diana Swain, USAID/Angola Mission Director, who has a vision of the potential that youth bring to Angola‘s future stability and development. Many USAID/Angola staff members were involved in this assessment and played critical roles in coordinating activities and contributing to data collection and analysis: Alonzo Wind, Judy Wiegert, Luis Hernandez, and Alison Bird, who spent long hours assisting in pulling together the report. Cathy Hamlin, our main point of contact, deserves special thanks for her tireless efforts in making contacts and coordinating travel for the team. The team was also enriched enormously by the participation of Angolan young people who acted as advisors, facilitators, and partners throughout the assessment process. Milton Fernandes worked with us in Luanda, Azenildo ―Gildo‖ Catumbela in Huambo, and Sandra Oliveira in Benguela. Neves Afonso contributed very able interpretation services, as well as assistance in data analysis. The report is informed by the encouragement and insights of these Angolan young people. Obrigado! The Government of the Republic of Angola Ministry of Youth and Sports has been a highly engaged partner in this assessment. Ministry officials in Luanda, including Vice Minister, Mr. Cardoso, National Director of Youth, and Mr. Florindo Raul, as well as provincial officials, Martins Sukete (Huambo), Suzana Navihemba (Huambo), Pedro Garcia (Benguela), Mr. Bravo (Benguela) and António Wakanyoko (Cunene) have willingly shared their perspectives and strategies. Heather Kulp and Manuel Figueiredo ―Figas‖ Mateus of Search for Common Ground and Edwardo Sonjamba and Pedro Balança of Save the Children/UK took time from their busy schedules to help organize focus groups and to locate youth assessors. Staff from Catholic Relief Services, Caritas, and Escola Polivalente Agroindustrial Joaquim Capango convened focus groups in Benguela. We are very grateful for this assistance. This assessment was supported financially by Global Development Alliance/ USAID/Washington, by the EQUIP3 Project (Leader with Associates), and by EGAT/ Office of Education (USAID/Washington). Finally we would like to thank the young women and men who participated in the twelve focus groups in Luanda, Benguela, and Huambo. Our understanding of Angola was greatly informed by their candor about challenges facing the country as well as their enthusiasm and ideas for its future. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Acknowledgements ……………………………………………………………... ii iii Table of Contents ………………………………………………………………... iii List of Acronyms ………………………………………………………………… v Executive Summary ……………………………………………........................... vii I. PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF ASSESSMENT ………………………… 1 II. CONTEXT FOR ANGOLAN YOUTH………………………………… 2 III. RAPID APPRAISAL METHODOLOGY……………………………... 3 IV. FINDINGS………………………………………………………………... 5 A. Profile of Youth in Angola ………………………………………... 5 1) Population Demographics and Migration………………….. 6 2) Social Organization and Youth Identity…………………… 6 3) Health………………………………………………………. 7 4) School Enrollment, Achievement and Literacy……………. 8 5) Skills, Competencies and Preparation for Adulthood……… 9 a) Employment……………………………………………. 9 b) Entrepreneurship……………………………………….. 11 6) Opportunities and Aspirations………………………………11 B. Workforce: Employment, Training, and Entrepreneurship………… 14 1) Vocational Training and Job Placement……………………. 14 2) Entrepreneurship Training………………………………….. 18 3) Micro-finance………………………………………………. 20 C. Health Initiatives for Youth………………………………………… 22 D. Youth Civic Engagement…………………………………………… 24 E. Summary of Findings ……………………………………………... 27 V. STRATEGIC OPTIONS ………………………………………………… 28 A. Integrating Youth into Mission Projects….………………………... 29 B. New Project Investments……..……………………………………. 32 C. Areas for Further Assessment………….……………………………35 BIBLIOGRAPHY ………………………………………………………………… 37 ANNEXES iv ANNEX A: List of Key Informants………………………………………………. 42 ANNEX B: Youth Focus Group Protocol ………………………………………...45 ANNEX C: Rapid Youth Assessment Survey……………………………………. 46 ANNEX D: Summary of Youth Focus Groups Conducted………………………47 ANNEX E: Youth Assessor (Luanda) Final Report..……………………………. 48 ANNEX F: Ladder of Participation ……………………….......….……………… 53 ANNEX G: Concept Paper: Youth Participation in Democratization ………… 54 ANNEX H: Model SOW for Youth Service Corps ……………………………… 58 ANNEX I: Promising Practices in Youth Development………………………….. 63 1. Somalia Youth Corps (1995-96)………………………………….. 63 2. EQUIP3 Haitian out-of-School Youth Livelihood Initiative……... 67 3. Mobile Training Units: Youth & Informal Sector Employment ….78 4. Microfinance and Youth: Case Studies and Lessons Learned ….. 80 5. Urban Youth Livelihoods & HIV: Southern Africa …………….. 84 ANNEX J: Psycho-social Trauma Programming………………………………… 91 1. Displaced Orphans and Child‘s Fund Guiding Principles………… 91 2. Discussion of Psychosocial Trauma in Sierra Leone……………… 94 ANNEX K: USAID Procurement Mechanisms for Youth Programming………. 98 ANNEX L: Youth Health: Challenges and Interventions……….…………………99 Tables Table 1: Population by Age Group (2005 estimates)…………………………………. 5 Table 2: Population by Province (2005 estimates) …………………………………… 6 Table 3: School Level: 15 years and older (2001 estimates) ………………………….. 8 Table 4: Opportunity by Theme: Top Three Choices in Ranking Lists………………. 12 Table 5: Opportunity by Topic: Appearance in Focus Groups…………………….…. 12 v LIST OF ACRONYMS AEP Angola Enterprise Program AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome AMED Associação de Amizade e Educação Para o Desenvolvimento ANASO Angola Network of AIDS Service Organizations BDS Business Development Service BFA Banco de Fomento de Angola CBO Community Based Organizations CCF Christian Children‘s Fund CEEA Centro de Estudos Estratégicos de Angola CICA Conselho de Igrejas Cristãs em Angola CLUSA Cooperative League of the U.S.A. CNJ Conselho Nacional de Juventude CRS Catholic Relief Services DCOF Displaced Children and Orphans Fund DW Development Workshop EPDC Education Policy and Data Center EDC Education Development Center EPAJC Escola Polivalente Agroindustrial Joaquim Capango EQUIP3 Educational Quality Improvement Program 3/Youth Trust FNLA Frente Nacional para a Libertação GDA Global Development Alliance GRA Government of the Republic of Angola GWIT Global Workforce in Transition IQC HIV Human Immune Virus IDR Inquérito de Despesas e Receitas dos Agregados IEC Information Education and Communication INAPEM National Institute for Small and Medium Scale Enterprise INE Instituto Nacional de Estatistica INEFOP National Institute of Employment and Vocational Training IPMP Instituto Português de Medicina Preventiva IRI International Republican Institute ISCED Instituto Superior de Ciências da Educação JA Junior Achievement JIRO Juventude Informada, Responsavel e Organizada JMPLA Juventude do Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola JURA United and Revolutionary Youth of Angola JVA Jovens Vida Associativa MAPESS Ministry of Public Service, Employment and Social Security MF Microfinance MFI Microfinance Institution MJD Ministry of Youth and Sports vi MPLA Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola MSME Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise NDI National Democratic Institute NGO Non-Governmental Organization NFBE Non-Formal Basic Education NYO Nugaal Youth Organization PMTCT Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission PRA Participatory Rapid Appraisal PSI Population Services International REMPE Recenseamento de Empresas e Estabelecimentos SCANS Secretary‘s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills SFCG Search for Common Ground SME Small and Medium Enterprises SO Strategic Objective TOT Training of Trainers UNDP United Nations Development Program UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNICEF United Nations Children's Fund UNITA National Union for Total Independence of Angola USAID United States Agency for International Development VCT Voluntary Counseling and Testing WAPO World Assistance Petroleum Operations YSO Youth-Serving Organization vii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY USAID/Angola requested a rapid assessment of youth in Angola to inform its programming and partnerships with the Government of the Republic of Angola, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. With over 60 percent of the population of Angola under the age of 20, the outcomes of the youth cohort (age 14-24) in Angola will profoundly shape the country‘s future. The assessment systematically collected the perceptions of young people--their needs, aspirations, and experiences of education and employment opportunities--and compared these with the capacity of key institutions working on behalf of young people, including government, private sector, and NGOs. Three development sectors were considered: employment/livelihoods, health, and civic engagement. Cross-sectoral opportunities for engagement with youth were prioritized. Angolan youth participated actively in the assessment as subjects of twelve focus groups and as members of the assessment team. Fieldwork was conducted in Luanda, Huambo, Benguela, and Cunene from February 13-24, 2006. Opportunities for strategic interventions by USAID/Angola were developed. Assessment findings: Angolan youth as assets (not “problems”): Angolan youth have adopted a series of flexible and creative survival strategies across a broad spectrum of extremes. Paucity of safe, informative, and fun spaces: Angolan youth lack safe, informative, and fun spaces where they can interact, learn and grow. Challenge of stemming HIV/AIDS: Due to post-conflict increases in mobility, Angola is at risk for increased rates of HIV prevalence, and youth are pivotal in either the spread or stemming of the disease. Inadequate educational services: There is not enough quality, affordable education, relevant to labor market demand—in either the general or technical/vocational systems. Youth as entrepreneurs: Young people already possess dynamic entrepreneurial ability, especially those involved in informal commerce in urban areas. Non-politicized participation in society and freedom from corruption: Youth are especially sensitive to the negative effect of corruption on their education and employment opportunities. The assessment team recommended the strategic directions described below. It also recommended that USAID, to the extent possible, include HIV/AIDS awareness and behavioral change activities in whatever programs it chooses to pursue. viii 1) Youth Centers. USAID currently supports Youth Centers in four provinces. USAID could collaborate with the Ministry of Youth and Support to expand the number and regional coverage of youth centers and to upgrade youth center models, so that a greater variety of services and leadership opportunities would be available to youth (e.g. entrepreneurship training, recreation, entertainment, library and Internet services, saving services, HIV/AIDS awareness, testing and outreach, etc.) Youth and community needs assessments should inform these decisions. At a larger scale, USAID might provide technical assistance and capacity-building to support the creation of regional and/or national youth center networks. 2) Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Programs. Young people at all levels of education need support to access workforce training programs, to find and succeed in formal sector jobs, to create their own sustainable livelihoods in the informal sector, and to upgrade informal-sector micro-enterprises to businesses that generate more income and better working conditions. Services to youth could include: internships, apprenticeships, entrepreneurship training, micro-enterprise incubation; career counseling, job-seeking help, employability skills training (e.g., communication, teamwork, self-initiative, critical thinking, etc.), financial literacy and assistance in accessing financial services. USAID might also collaborate with the Angolan Government to strengthen vocational education centers. In addition to enhancing the quality of existing centers and helping to open new centers, USAID could complement vocational education by helping to offer vocational education students assistance in access to finance. The assessment team endorsed USAID‘s collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Youth and Sport, Esso and Coca Cola to introduce Junior Achievement to Angola. The programs of this worldwide organization have demonstrated effectiveness in helping young people acquire entrepreneurial skills and general self-confidence. 3) Youth Participation in Democratization. Upcoming elections provide an opportunity to build young people‘s awareness of and practice of democracy by engaging them in politically neutral activities, such as election monitoring and voter registration. Steps can also be taken to sensitize youth to the rights and responsibilities of citizens. Youth-led media is a promising strategy to engage youth in civil society debate. 4) Youth Service Corps. A youth service corps for Angola would address multiple needs of young people—job creation, employability skill development, psycho-social support, and a positive sense of belonging to the community. Such a corps would also help municipalities to ―get things done.‖ Service corps could provide meaningful projects for youth as identified by communities, such building parks, playgrounds, and latrines, planting trees, outreach on vaccination and HIV/AIDS campaigns, distribution of bednets, tutoring children, etc. In additional to a positive and rich learning experience, youth could receive a modest stipend, complementary educational services, certification of program completion, and job/education placement assistance. Youth leadership and constructive adult/youth mentoring are important dimensions of corps. 5) Connection between HIV/AIDS and youth livelihood/employment. Youth are more vulnerable to contracting HIV when they lack decent and productive work opportunities or a ix social support network. Integrated HIV/AIDS and youth livelihood programming could provide training to young people in the provision of home health care services, preventive healthcare, or anti-malaria initiatives. This support to youth entrepreneurship and employment helps them develop productive livelihoods which may reduce their risk of contracting HIV. USAID/Angola anticipates working in a collaborative fashion with the Angolan Ministry of Youth and Sports (MJD) to support their national youth strategy (Executive Plan) and those plans developed at the provincial level. Following the lead of the MJD, other relevant Ministries (MAPESS, MoE, etc.), multilateral entities (UNICEF), the private sector, and NGOs would be engaged collaboratively to actualize projects that engage the interest, creativity, and productivity of Angolan youth. x I. PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF ASSESSMENT USAID/Angola requested a rapid assessment of youth in Angola to inform its programming and partnerships with the Government of the Republic of Angola (GRA), NGOs, and the private sector. With over 60 percent of the population of Angola under the age of 20, the outcomes of the youth cohort (age 14-24) in Angola will profoundly shape the country‘s future. Experience in other fragile states has shown that successful social and economic reintegration of ex- combatants, both youth and adult, is critical to stability. Economic growth, equally important to stability, cannot occur without efficient and equitable education, training, and healthcare for the workforce, much of which is composed of young people coming into their productive years. For these reasons, USAID/Angola sought a holistic assessment of the needs and assets of Angolan youth, and identification of strategic opportunities to support their healthy development. Aligned with the USAID Africa Bureau Strategic Framework, the USAID/Angola Strategy addresses dynamics and needs characteristic of post-conflict states with three strategic objectives (SO): Inclusive Governance Reform Advanced (SO9); Basic Economic Opportunity Maintained/Restored (SO10); and, Increased Provision of Essential Services by Local and National Institutions (SO11). USAID/Angola considers youth as an important cross-cutting issue. Because research has shown that youth‘s developmental needs must be understood in a holistic fashion, this assessment seeks to consider multiple factors that affect young Angolans‘ lives, including education, employment, health, recovery from war trauma, and civic engagement. Among these areas, a slightly greater emphasis was placed on livelihoods, employment, and vocational training. Formal basic education was explored indirectly through youth‘s perceptions of their educational experience and prospects, though detailed analysis of the general education system was beyond the assessment scope. Regional differences were explored through data collection in Luanda, Huambo, Benguela, and Cunene. The team was aware that significant differences exist in the North and East but the scope of the assessment was limited. While there was a slightly greater emphasis on urban areas, perceptions of rural youth in Huambo and Cunene were included. This assessment is intended to provide direction to USAID/Angola‘s partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The Ministry has demonstrated exceptional leadership in advocating and coordinating with other government ministries on behalf of youth and has developed a National Youth Policy (Plano Executivo Nacional de Apoio A Juventude) from which provincial departments of youth have developed their own plans. The USAID Mission would like to support the implementation of the Government‘s plan through its own programming, as well as to contribute new approaches to youth development that have found to be successful around the world. 1