Evaluation Brief: Daring to Shift: Placing Young Women at the Center of Inclusive Growth

In 2023, DOT marked the conclusion of Daring to Shift (D2S), our largest multi-country, youth-led initiative. In partnership with the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada, this 4-year project, implemented by DOT spanned Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Lebanon, Jordan, and partner organizations in expansion countries Ghana, Malawi, Zambia, and Uganda. It placed young people—particularly young women—at the heart of sustainable, inclusive social and economic growth.

Using DOT’s proven youth-led, peer-to-peer model, where young people drive their own livelihoods, D2S focused on building resilience and economic inclusion for unemployed and underemployed youth (ages 18–35). The program delivered training in digital literacy, workforce skills, entrepreneurship, and social innovation, enabling participants to create digital jobs, businesses, and local enterprises that address community needs.

D2S showed that when youth are digitally empowered and supported by strong ecosystems, they can drive transformative, lasting change in their communities.

An independent evaluation by Bodhi Global Analysis, a firm specializing in analysis, research and evaluations in urban and rural locations in the Global South. Here are five highlights from the D2S Final Evaluation:

1. The project enhanced young peoples’ empowerment and resilience by providing them with the leadership, business, and digital literacy skills to improve their futures and demonstrate    increased decision making capacity and community involvement.
2. The project successful addressed the gender digital divide by equipping young women with digital literacy skills, promoting them as leaders of digital business, and enhancing their access to digital devices
3. The project deepened gender equitable programming through a Community of Practice where partners both increased female participation in their programs and strengthened their understanding and awareness of women’s economic empowerment 
4. The project saw community and household members benefit from the improved economic performance and social impact leadership of youth
5. The project had positive effects on economic growth, with youth, particularly young women, improving their business performance, increasing business profits, and advancing their social enterprises.   

D2S demonstrated how digitally equipped, empowered youth can spark economic and social growth that extends beyond a single project.

For more insights into DOT’s key learnings and recommendations, download the evaluation brief: https://dotrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/DOT-Daring-to-Shift-Final-Evaluation-Brief.pdf