Lead: Peter Shiras (Executive VP Business Development, International Youth Foundation)

1. The Power
of Networks
The Experience of the
International Youth Foundation
Peter Shiras
Mexico, September 20, 2010
Presented to the Youth Business International
Global Forum

2. The IYF Global Network
• More than 200 organizations
• 75 countries
• Locally rooted, autonomous institutions
• A horizontal network
• Light governance system
• Common commitment to youth
development

3. The IYF Global Network: Purpose
• Learn and Innovate: What works and what is new in youth
development
• Promote Standards: Standards of excellence in youth programming,
organizational development, governance, financial management and
evaluation
• Advocate a Youth Agenda: The promise to provide platforms for youth
voices and to advocate for youth issues in the larger development
context
• Create Partnerships and Mobilize Resources: The potential to create
or expand partnerships and mobilize resources to increase investments
in and impact on young people

4. Network Map – Global Presence

5. Sub-Networks
Programs Stats Geographical Regional
Focus
EEA 6 countries
46 partners
East Asia/Pacific, South
Asia, Middle East/North
Africa
Entra21 (Phase 1) 18 countries
32 partners
Latin America/Caribbean
EAYPI 3 countries
16 partners
Sub-Saharan Africa
Make a Connection 26 countries
28 partners
Europe, North America,
LaC, East Asia/Pacific,
Sub-Saharan Africa
Global Fund for Youth
Development
19 countries
33 partners
East Asia/Pacific, South
Asia, Europe, Latin
America/Caribbean

6. Entra 21 Network
Goal: To improve the employability of Latin American and
Caribbean vulnerable youth to find productive jobs
Approach:
• Implement “dual-client model” to meet needs of youth and
employers.
• Life, ICT and technical skill training.
• Identify best practices
• Achieve scale and sustainability
• Rigorous and robust learning agenda

7. The entra21 learning network
• Common program/evaluation framework
• Program design workshops
• IYF-provided technical assistance
• Online learning platform
• Moderated virtual discussions
• Learning workshops and conferences
• Publications

8. For example…
• Establishing with apprenticeship
programs
• Research by IYF staff
• Resources online for reference
• Moderated discussion with partners
• Sharing of solutions from partners
• IYF publication on good practices

9. Results from learning network
• Find solutions to challenges
• Continuous program improvement
• Identify best practices
• Support outreach to government
• Engagement with private sector
• Scale and sustainability

10. Results from learning network
• Find solutions to challenges
• Continuous program improvement
• Identify best practices
• Support outreach to government
• Engagement with private sector
• Scale and sustainability