Introduction
Evaluation of the program, which is aimed at making any changes, is of critical importance. This is due to the fact that its consideration and analysis within the framework of this process helps to determine whether there is a need for further pursuit, re-engineering, or rejection. In this process, evaluation theories can provide special assistance, which forms and structure the procedure for assigning the value of the program. Therefore, this academic paper aims to research and evaluate E3YDH’s Creating Opportunities for Youth Program to inform partnership decisions to determine its suitability, the need for changes, or a complete revision and cancellation.
The E3YDH Program Evaluation
First of all, it is necessary to determine the theoretical basis of the process of the proposed program. Sources define it as “any evaluation strategy or approach that explicitly integrates and uses stakeholder, social science, some combination of, or other types of theories in conceptualizing, designing, conducting, interpreting, and applying an evaluation” (Brousselle & Buregeya, 2018). Rabie and Goldman (2014) define valuation, methods, and use as the basis for choosing a particular valuation theory. Thus, the choice of approach to the evaluation of the proposed program plays a crucial role in obtaining the most effective and productive results.
Moreover, for a practical theory-based evaluation framework, it is necessary to define evaluation issues. However, it might be “challenging for problem-oriented research that employs inter- and transdisciplinary approaches and intervenes in complex systems” (Belcher et al., 2020, p. 1). This part of the process provides the necessary focus and gives awareness of what to expect (Markiewicz & Patrick, 2015). Thus, this study has come to several inquiries, the answers to which must be reached at the end of the evaluation:
- Does the proposed program have benefits for the region in which it is proposed to be conducted?
- How realistic and feasible are the goals set by E3YDH’s Creating Opportunities for Youth Program?
- Does the assessment show possible positive trends and outcomes that will follow after the implementation of the program, and does it require revision?
The potential of theory-based evaluation, as shown earlier, is limitless, but from a critical point of view, it may have drawbacks. Hence, it can become complex and complicate the assessment process (Markiewicz & Patrick, 2015). This circumstance may arise as a result of many activities that are offered in the program. Thus, another criterion for the program under study is the presence of a logically correct number of activities and goals that will not imply an excessive number of actions that do not have any positive contribution.
In addition, conducting a theory-based assessment and choosing the necessary approach is essential for compliance with appropriate, practical, and ethical work. This makes it possible to understand more clearly what the E3YDH program is aimed at, what outcomes are expected to receive, and what contribution the initiative makes to the problem. Consequently, E3YDH’s Creating Opportunities for Youth Program offers a solution to the problem of young employment in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, with the help of a creative economy. Thus, the proposed initiative focuses on creative professions as crucial aspects that can provide many jobs for young people and significantly affect the gross domestic product. According to the theory of change, this goal can already be marked as a strong point since its primary purpose is to bring benefit to the state. However, its formation does not determine the real success of the program, and further evaluation is necessary.
The basis of this research program was a formal approach to evaluation. It implies an intervention assessment that has not yet been put into effect to identify strengths and weaknesses requiring alterations (Olsen et al., 2021). Thus, its advantage is to provide the parties of the program that can fail it and deprive of successful results. The main disadvantage may be the duration of the theory-based evaluation and the direct connection only with the implementation processes. It is worth noting that research plays an essential role in the evaluation of the program (Belcher et al., 2020). This is due to the fact that it can provide the necessary data to maintain specific evaluations.
In the construction of this framework, a valuable role is played by the introduction of aspects of the integrative evaluation framework. Sources emphasize that “the Western evaluation models, theories and instruments are adapted, contextualized, and made culturally relevant and inclusive of local stakeholders” (Gaotlhobogwe et al., 2018, p. 56). This fact is due to the fact that the Creating Opportunities for Youth Program offers innovative solutions to reconsider the importance of the creative field of activity as one of the most profitable and valuable jobs for the younger generation. In addition, bringing in more jobs for young professionals will help improve the situation on the labor market in the country (Fox & Kaul, 2018; Kluve et al., 2019). Mertens and Wilson (2018) state that evaluating is necessary to understand what contribution the program will have in practical terms and how the parts involved in it can gain an advantage and limit the possible risks. Moreover, the evaluation stakeholders’ roles can rise significantly in their importance as they gain a leading position since it depends on them whether the initiative will be applied or not.
In order to achieve the most successful outcomes, it is essential to conduct additional in-depth research and analysis of the creative economy. Despite the fact that its advantage has already been mentioned in the case study, this area still needs to be studied since a lack of information can lead to a risk of failure in the implementation of the proposed policy. It is important to strengthen the relationship between all involved stakeholders (McGrath & Whitty, 2017). This is due to the fact that various organizations and investors should not only be interested in the field of youth employment but have a clear idea of what benefits the program will have both for them and for the region as a whole.
Conclusion
Thus, answering the previously raised questions about the E3YDH program, it is worth emphasizing that the proposed program has undoubted benefits for the region in which it is proposed to be held. This is due to the fact that it will provide an opportunity to increase the level of gross domestic product and reduce the number of unemployed among the young population. Furthermore, the goals of the initiative are pretty feasible and are not characterized by excessive coherence and the requirement of many unnecessary activities. In conclusion, it should be noted that the program does not require significant revision or cancellation, as, in general, it is a fruitful policy to introduce changes.
References
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