Networking and Collaboration

This case study forms part of the youth employment infrastructure research and evaluation project carried out by RAND Europe in 2021–22 on behalf of the Youth Futures Foundation (YFF). It explores the ways in which infrastructure organisations (IOs) network and collaborate in their efforts to improve employment outcomes for young people in England. It seeks to understand the activities involved and to draw out examples of good practice, as well as the key barriers and facilitators that may play a role. These findings are based on semi-structured interviews with two IOs, the Employment Related Services Association (ERSA) and the Centre for Youth Impact (CFYI), as well as three frontline organisations (FOs): the Transform Lives Company (TLC), Shaw Trust and EN:Able Communities. Interviewees were identified from the organisations funded by the YFF, as well as through a snowballing approach. The interviews were complemented by a targeted review of relevant documentation provided by the interviewees and other IOs.