“YLLA” Empowers Youth Through PRA Training to Lead Community-Based Research

In this phase, the focus shifted to capacity building. The selected youth received structured training in Participatory Rapid Appraisal (PRA) — a hands-on methodology that emphasizes teamwork, problem analysis, and community-driven solutions.

Over several weeks, the youth engaged in workshops that used case studies, role play, mapping, and group discussions, enabling them to design their own research tools. They then went into their neighborhoods, conducting interviews, focus groups, and observations to identify local priorities.

From Helwan to Torah, the process highlighted issues like education gaps, unemployment, and the lack of safe spaces. The result was a set of community needs assessments, created and owned by the youth themselves — marking their transformation from participants into credible community advocates