WHY DO YOUTH-LED COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH?

Youth can be leaders. They can bring new perspectives and creative energy that helps tackle persistent community concerns. Having youth lead community-based research is one way to unleash their leadership potential. They can work together with other community leaders to discover new insights and develop innovative solutions that make sense for their local context. Hover on the circles below to learn more.

Youth are motivated to become involved and encourage others to help shape their community

INSPIRING

Community members work together for positive change, each bringing their unique perspective

HOPEFUL

Youth feel connected and valued as they develop skills to become community leaders

EMPOWERING

Youth are grounded in their community's realities, helping to produce insights and solutions that are rooted in the local community

rooted

YOUTH LEADERSHIP IN ANN VIV ANSANM

Youth were leaders of community-based research in the Ann Viv Ansanm project in Haiti. They were hired, trained and supported to go through two cycles of qualitative research focused on the drivers of conflict in their community. Their goal was also to build community solutions that would address the causes of conflict.

Being a youth researcher had an impact on many of the youth involved in the Ann Viv Ansanm project. Youth spoke about:

gaining a deeper understanding of their community
increasing their confidence in facilitating community development
acquiring new research and facilitation skills transferable to other settings
and most importantly, gaining increased respect as leaders in their community

Click on the video below to hear a youth researcher's story of impact.