IYF Standards for Sound Programming
"17 criteria"
IYF standards for sound programming focus on the effectiveness, sustainability and scale of a program and of the organisation. It should:
A. take a holistic view of children and youth:
- (1) focus on growth and development with an emphasis on prevention/early intervention rather than treatment/remediation
- (2) promote the development of 5Cs*
- (3) offer age/developmentally appropriate activities (within country context)
- (4) involve youth in planning, evaluation and dissemination.
B. be respectful of family, community and culture:
- (5) involve parents, extended family, and/or significant adults
- (6) involve community in program implementation
- (7) be culturally relevant and conform to the needs of the community
- (8) be coordinated with other children and youth services
C. on impact of the program:
- (9) show evidence of success in meeting identified needs and in promoting favourable changes in family or community practices related to young people
D. have sound organisational practices:
- (10) provide a cost-effective means of achieving its goals
- (11) provide monitoring, evaluation and feedback
- (12) include training and support for project staff and other participants
- (13) include a feasible plan to become self-sustaining
- (14) demonstrate organisational capacity in financial, technical and managerial terms
E. have transferable programme practices:
- (15) contain components that appear to be appropriate in other contexts
- (16) have the potential to serve a significant number of youth
e.g. having clearly articulated philosophy and practices that could be duplicated by new staff or new sites; having modest per-child costs; having documented training and/or programming curricula
F. as to impact scale:
- (17) serve a significant number of youth
