To achieve transformation expressed in Sustainable Development Goals, we must rethink the approaches that exclude youth, especially in Africa where over 60% are below 25 years. The future of evaluation and evaluations’ long-term goal depends on a substantive engagement of youth in evaluations because young people are: critical thinkers, change-makers, innovators, communicators, and leaders. Currently, YEEs are under-represented in evaluation associations and consultancies.
Lida Africa, a consultancy from Uganda, piloted a model that builds YEEs into strong evaluators though providing mentorships, training, and involvement in evaluations. In 2016, four fresh graduates (50% females) were enrolled in a one-year fellowship. Barely six months, 50% of the YEEs had joined employment and subsequently became strong evaluation pillars pushing the results agenda in developmental organizations and public Universities.
In conclusion, consultancy firms should provide YEEs with opportunities to engage with established evaluators to gain sound foundation on evaluation and practice. This is a sure path to the future of evaluation.