Evaluation in times of uncertainty: Applying learning from COVID-19

Youth Endowment Fund Learning Partner

The Youth Endowment Fund Learning Partner has written this Insights Brief to support organisations adapting their work with young people during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly those living in difficult circumstances and who might be at risk of becoming involved in crime and violence.

This third Brief is focused on evaluation, with a particular focus on evaluating youth services in times of uncertainty. We explore ‘readiness’ for evaluation and the preparation required by both youth services, commissioners and funders to build in and act upon learning. We also examine the barriers to being ready for evaluation activities, using case studies from across the Learning Partnership to articulate these issues. It also offers recommendations to youth services both in and outside of the grant, as well as evaluators and commissioners of services.