Background
Why this assignment matters
An impact assessment and learning assignment examining youth realities, aspirations, livelihood transitions and opportunity structures in Ethiopia’s arid and semi-arid areas.
Scope of work
Major activities and deliverables
- Prepared and delivered a full impact assessment report.
- Organized, facilitated and documented a three-day stakeholder validation and exit workshop.
- Gathered and integrated feedback from workshop participants and the internal impact assessment team into the final report.
- Ensured proper documentation of workshop proceedings for future reference.
Approach
MDC implementation and learning approach
The assignment combined evidence synthesis, stakeholder engagement, participatory validation, documentation, and report finalization to ensure that findings were useful for decision-makers and implementation actors.
Value offered
How this strengthens MDC's portfolio
This case study demonstrates MDC's ability to combine research quality, practical facilitation, stakeholder engagement, documentation and decision-oriented reporting.
Results and learning
What this assignment contributed
Limited evidence on how aspirations, structural constraints and opportunity systems shape youth livelihood transitions in arid and semi-arid areas.
Key learning: Youth programming is more effective when aspirations are analyzed alongside markets, institutions and place-specific opportunity structures.
Related services
How MDC can support similar work
Relevant services include research consultancy, MEAL system design, training and capacity building, policy advisory, data analytics, food systems work and innovation support.
Explore servicesField evidence
Context, participation and implementation realities
Rural opportunity structures
Livelihood and enterprise opportunities available to young people.
Fragile environments
Place-specific constraints shaping aspiration and transition.
Field evidence
Understanding youth realities through direct engagement.