Positive Youth Engagement (PYE) | HYDRC

Target Areas: West Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem
Direct Beneficiaries: 80,000 youth (aged 10–19)
Indirect Beneficiaries: More than 10,000 parents, educators, and community mentors
 

About the Program

The Positive Youth Engagement (PYE) program is a comprehensive, youth-centered initiative designed to empower boys and girls aged 10–19 by equipping them with the skills, support, and safe spaces they need to grow and actively participate in their communities.
Funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and led by Mercy Corps and the International Youth Foundation (IYF), the program is implemented in partnership with a network of local organizations in Palestine, including the Hebron Youth Development Resource Center (HYDRC). PYE focuses on mental health and psychosocial well-being, life skills development, economic empowerment, and civic engagement through sustainable interventions that strengthen the role of youth as active, productive citizens.
Local Partner Organizations

• Hebron Youth Development Resource Center – Palestinian Child’s Home Club (HYDRC)
• Palestinian Charity for Youth Economic Empowerment (CYEE)
• YDRC Centers in Nablus and Jericho
• Al-Nayzak Foundation
• Lutheran World Federation
• International Youth Foundation (IYF)
• Save Youth Future Society – Gaza

Together, these partners manage over 55 youth-friendly centers and safe spaces that regularly host activities, camps, training, and psychosocial support sessions.

HYDRC’s Role

The Hebron Youth Development Resource Center (Palestinian Child’s Home Club) implements this project across southern West Bank by operating and managing 8 safe spaces for youth in various locations:

• The main YDRC center
• Al-Shuyukh Sports Club
• Husan Sports Club
• Bani Naim Charity Association
• Sawa’ed Youth Forum
• Marah Ma’alla Club
• Palestinian Leader Forum
• Rabood Sports Club

Program Goal

To empower the most vulnerable and marginalized Palestinian adolescents and youth to gain essential life, educational, social, and economic skills; to improve their mental and social well-being; and to expand opportunities for their positive engagement in society.
Strategic Objectives

1. Prepare Youth

• Equip youth with basic life skills (such as communication, problem-solving, decision-making) through structured training like Passport to Success.
• Enhance readiness for older youth to enter the labor market or higher education through vocational and entrepreneurship training.

2. Protect Youth

• Provide comprehensive psychosocial support for youth and families through safe spaces and group or individual counseling sessions.
• Empower parents and communities to play a supportive role in sustaining youth mental health.

3. Engage Youth

• Involve youth as agents of change through initiatives and projects they lead themselves.
• Build their critical thinking, civic engagement, and social cohesion skills.

4. Sustain & Enable

• Provide safe infrastructure (centers and safe spaces) equipped with diverse activities.
• Strengthen the capacity of local organizations (CBOs) to ensure sustainability and long-term impact.

Strategic Pathways for Intervention:

1. Life Skills & Personal Development

Youth receive structured training in communication, decision-making, goal-setting, digital literacy, and problem-solving, based on the Passport to Success and I:Serve methodologies by IYF. Activities are tailored by age group and gender.

2. Psychosocial Support & Safe Spaces

Safe spaces offer supportive environments with creative activities, group counseling, sports, and recreational camps that enhance mental health and reduce stress and trauma, especially in conflict-affected areas like Gaza.

3. Employability & Economic Empowerment

Youth aged 15–19 receive training in job readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial planning, with opportunities for on-the-job training and connections to local companies.

4. Community Engagement & Youth Leadership

Youth lead their own initiatives, volunteer projects, youth councils, and civic activities that strengthen their leadership and community involvement.

5. Non-Formal Education (NFE)

Remedial sessions for academic support (ages 10–16) combined with social-emotional learning (SEL) activities.

Capacity Building & Sustainability

The program strengthens partner organizations through:

• Professional training for youth workers and facilitators
• Support in psychosocial care and child protection
• Improved documentation and evaluation systems
• Development of institutional plans and governance standards
• Parental engagement activities that create a supportive family environment for youth

Methodologies & Tools Used

 HYDRC implements PYE using a comprehensive set of proven, internationally recognized and locally adapted methodologies and training tools:

1. Passport to Success (PTS)

A global life skills curriculum covering communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, negotiation, responsibility, conflict management, future planning, entrepreneurship, and community service learning.

2. I:Serve Program

Practical training in civic participation, community initiatives, and leadership building.

3. Non-Formal Education (NFE)

Remedial sessions, interactive games (puzzles, Guess the Word), worksheets, and visual tools supported by the Mercy Corps SEL guide.

4. Sport For Change (321 Start)

A pathway that uses physical and sports activities to support psychosocial well-being and resilience through weekly sessions on identity, teamwork, goals, community leadership, and coping skills.

5. Psychosocial Support (PSS)

Based on the New Me guide with three stages (My Group – Who Am I – My Future) and activities such as role-play, emotional release, success path drawing, and building a strength network.

6. Parenting & Positive Caregiving

A comprehensive guide for parents on positive parenting, anger management, stress, communication with children, and encouraging shared decision-making.

7. “My Plan” Notebook

An interactive tool for ages 10–15 used in PSS and SEL sessions to help children:

o Express themselves and their identity
o Write down and track goals and ideas
o Visualize their future creatively through coloring, stickers, and crafts
The notebook comes with a special kit (color pencils, stickers, colored sheets).

8. Digital Content Program
Workshops on producing podcasts, short videos, and youth-led digital campaigns.

Outcomes & Impact

HYDRC’s Results – 2023 (Southern West Bank)

• 249 activities across safe spaces
• 7,000+ direct beneficiaries (youth and parents)
• ~60% female participation

Breakdown:
• Life skills & development (PTS, I:Serve): 54 trainings – 1,326 beneficiaries (704 females, 622 males)
• Specialized pathways (AI, cybersecurity, solutions journalism): 104 activities – 3,046 beneficiaries (1,905 females, 1,141 males)
• Psychosocial support (group/individual sessions, well-being): 52 sessions – 1,092 beneficiaries (926 females, 166 males)
• Community initiatives: 39 initiatives – 1,717 beneficiaries (899 females, 818 males)

HYDRC’s Results – 2024 (Southern West Bank)

• 235 activities and initiatives in 7 safe spaces
• 7,100+ direct beneficiaries (youth and parents)
• ~65% female participation

Breakdown:
• Self-learning programs (Passport to Success, I:Serve): 32 trainings/workshops – ~800 beneficiaries
• Pathways (cybersecurity, AI, entrepreneurship): 51 specialized activities – ~2,200 beneficiaries
• Psychosocial support (PSS): 67 sessions and group well-being – 2,300+ beneficiaries
• Non-formal education (NFE): 41 remedial sessions – 417 students and parents for academic and mental health support
• Digital content: 15 workshops (podcasts, videos, campaigns) – 373 beneficiaries
• Community initiatives: 29 youth-led initiatives – ~850 local community members reached