Stakeholders' voice about a youth participatory action-research program

Abstract

Through a qualitative research, this study presents the voice of stakeholders in the analysis of a Youth Participatory Action Research program, together with their standpoints about social participation of this population. A convenience sample of 13 stakeholders directly and indirectly linked to a Youth Participatory Action Research project was individually interviewed based on a semi-structured script. The analysis, views, and recommendations for future programs were studied, coded based on a content analysis, and subsequently analyzed using NVivo 12 qualitative analysis software. Stakeholder’s voice analysis was based on four categories: (Q1) Youths seem to depriorize school-related issues; (Q2) Youth face too much bureaucracies when facing the adult world; (Q3) Lack of statistically significant improvements in pre and post-test; and (Q4) Scenario of youth participation and their engagement in policies. As conclusions, responsibilities are attributed to the Government, organs of political power, and school, but also to young people. The involvement of stakeholders can enhance their support to Youth Participatory Action-research, and the guidelines / strategies will support the improvement of future programs.