Youth Social Outcomes Marketplace

Social outcome marketplaces are next-generation platforms for social finance. They are more difficult to implement in low-resource settings, yet have the potential to facilitate the creation of more public value for limited resources. The Youth Social Outcomes Marketplace (YSOM) aims to accelerate learning and design by facilitating transnational as well as sub-national design conversations among changemakers in the social finance and youth development space. 

Student-led Impact Fund Investing

Youth Social Outcomes Marketplace (YSOM) Research Fellowship Program

The Youth Social Outcomes Marketplace (YSOM) Research Fellowship Program is a unique opportunity for graduate students to drive social impact by designing and building a cutting-edge social finance platform across different countries. This program aims to empower youth, promote social entrepreneurship, and bridge the gap between investors and youth-oriented social ventures. The program will bring together government agencies, venture philanthropists, and impact investors to invest in and purchase youth social outcomes.

Program Objectives

1. To design a platform that facilitates investment in social enterprises and purchase of youth social outcomes of such enterprises.

2. To bridge the gap between government, venture philanthropists, and impact investors interested in youth social impact initiatives.

3. To harness universities and students as catalysts of social finance and social entrepreneurship  

Program Details

Fellowship Duration: The program will run for a 12-month period, divided into two phases:
a. Research Phase (2 months): Fellows will conduct in-depth research on the social finance ecosystem, youth-led social projects, and the needs of government agencies, venture philanthropists, and impact investors in each target country.
b. Iteration Phase (10 months): Fellows will work collaboratively to design and develop the YSOM platform, establish partnerships, and facilitate initial pilot projects.

Location: Fellows will work remotely and are encouraged to collaborate with local experts and organizations in Malaysia, Nepal, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Eligibility

a. Applicants must be students(undergraduate/graduate) or professionals with a background in finance, business, technology, social entrepreneurship/, or a related field.

b. Strong research, project management, and communication skills are required.

c. A passion for social impact, youth development, and innovation is essential.

Fellowship Benefits

a. Mentorship: Fellows will have access to a network of experts in social finance and impact investing.

b. Collaboration: Opportunities to work with local government agencies, philanthropic organizations, and impact investors.

c. Skill Development: Hands-on experience in designing and implementing a social finance platform.

d. Impact: The opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of youth and underserved communities.

Fellowship Responsibilities

a. Conduct research to identify the unique needs and challenges of each target country.

b. Collaborate with local stakeholders to ensure the platform's relevance and effectiveness.

c. Design and develop the YSOM platform, incorporating feedback and insights from research.

d. Assist in pilot project implementation and measurement of social outcomes.

e. Document and share best practices and lessons learned.

Evaluation and Selection

Candidates will be selected based on their qualifications, commitment to social impact, and potential to contribute to the program's objectives.

SDGs from a Youth Social Outcomes Lens 

The SDGs can be measured in terms of their impacts on youth outcomes. Below is a list of SDGs from a Youth Social Outcomes Lens:

1. Youth Literacy Rate (SDG 4: Quality Education): The percentage of youth (15-24 years old) who can read and write.

2. Youth Enrollment in Education (SDG 4): The percentage of youth enrolled in primary, secondary, or tertiary education.

3. Youth Employment Rate (SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth): The percentage of youth who are employed or actively seeking employment.

4. Youth Underemployment Rate (SDG 8): The percentage of employed youth working in jobs that do not utilize their skills and education fully.

5. Youth Access to Healthcare (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being): The proportion of youth with access to essential healthcare services.

6. Youth Mental Health Index (SDG 3): A measure of youth mental well-being, tracking issues like depression, anxiety, and stress.

7. Youth Civic Engagement (SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions): The percentage of youth actively participating in civic and community activities.

8. Youth Political Participation (SDG 16): The percentage of eligible youth voters who actively participate in elections and governance processes.

9. Youth Entrepreneurship Rate (SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): The percentage of youth who are involved in entrepreneurship or business ventures.

10. Youth Internet Access (SDG 9): The percentage of youth with access to the internet and digital technologies.

11. Youth Gender Equality Index (SDG 5: Gender Equality): A composite measure of gender equality among youth, considering factors like education, employment, and political representation.

12. Youth Access to Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation): The percentage of youth with access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities.

13. Youth Housing Conditions (SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities): Measures the quality of housing, including access to adequate and affordable housing for young people.

14. Youth Food Security (SDG 2: Zero Hunger): The proportion of youth with consistent access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.

15. Youth Energy Access (SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy): The percentage of youth with access to reliable and sustainable energy sources.

16. Youth Environmental Awareness (SDG 13: Climate Action): Measures youth's knowledge, awareness, and engagement in environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation.

17. Youth Digital Skills Index (SDG 4 & 9): Measures the level of digital skills and literacy among young people.

18. Youth Violence and Crime Rate (SDG 16): The rate of youth involvement in violent activities or criminal behavior.

19. Youth Well-being and Life Satisfaction Index (SDG 3): A holistic measure of the overall well-being and life satisfaction of young people.

20. Youth Social Entrepreneurship Index (SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 8): Measures the engagement of youth in social entrepreneurship and initiatives aimed at poverty reduction and economic growth.

Possible Design Features of a Youth Social Outcomes Marketplace

Working with Sellers of Social Outcomes:

Q: How can social enterprises or youth-led projects become sellers of social outcomes on YSOM?
A: Social enterprises can join YSOM as sellers by creating a profile, outlining their projects, and presenting their intended social outcomes for potential buyers.

Q: What types of youth-led projects are eligible to become sellers on YSOM?
A: YSOM welcomes a diverse range of youth-led projects, including those focused on education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, environmental sustainability, and more.

Q: How does YSOM help sellers measure and report on their social outcomes?
A: YSOM provides tools and resources to help sellers define, measure, and report on their social outcomes, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Q: What role does YSOM play in connecting sellers with potential buyers or investors?
A: YSOM acts as a matchmaking platform, connecting sellers with impact investors and buyers interested in specific social outcomes.

Q: Are there any eligibility criteria for sellers to join YSOM, such as project size or location?
A: YSOM is open to sellers of various project sizes and locations, provided they align with the platform's mission and focus on youth-related outcomes.

Working with Buyers/Investors in Social Outcomes:

Q: How can impact investors or philanthropists discover and invest in social outcomes through YSOM?
A: Impact investors and philanthropists can explore projects on YSOM, assess their social outcomes, and make investments that align with their interests.

Q: What kinds of social outcomes can buyers and investors expect to find on YSOM?
A: Buyers and investors can discover a wide range of social outcomes, including increased literacy rates, improved healthcare access, sustainable employment, and more, all with a focus on youth.

Q: How does YSOM ensure the credibility and reliability of the social outcomes presented by sellers?
A: YSOM implements verification processes and may collaborate with third-party evaluators to validate the reported social outcomes.

Q: Can buyers and investors on YSOM choose specific projects or outcomes to support?
A: Yes, buyers and investors have the flexibility to select projects and outcomes that align with their goals and values.

Q: Are there financial or impact thresholds for buyers and investors on YSOM?

A: YSOM accommodates a variety of buyers and investors, whether they are interested in small or large investments, making it accessible to a broad range of stakeholders.

Platform and Process:

Q: What are the fees associated with participating in YSOM as a seller or buyer?

A: YSOM may charge fees or take a percentage of transactions to sustain the platform's operations, and these details are outlined in the platform's terms.

Q: How does YSOM ensure data privacy and security for sellers and buyers?

     A: YSOM employs robust data security measures and adheres to data privacy regulations to protect the information of all users.

Q: Does YSOM provide support or resources for sellers and buyers to understand the platform's functionalities?

     A: YSOM offers educational resources, guides, and customer support to help sellers and buyers navigate the platform effectively.

Q: How can sellers and buyers monitor the progress of projects and the achievement of social outcomes?

     A: YSOM provides tools and dashboards that allow sellers and buyers to track and monitor project progress and outcomes in real time.

Q: Does YSOM facilitate communication and collaboration between sellers and buyers?

     A: YSOM encourages sellers and buyers to communicate, collaborate, and share insights to ensure the success of social outcome projects.

Measuring Social Returns on Investment (SROI)

Making the Social Return on Investment (SROI) explicit for existing youth-oriented service providers is essential for demonstrating the value and impact of their programs. Here are steps they can take to achieve this:

1. Define Outcomes and Goals:

Clearly define the specific social outcomes and goals the organization aims to achieve. These outcomes should be aligned with the organization's mission and the needs of the youth they serve.

2. Identify Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

Determine the KPIs that directly measure the progress and success of the organization in achieving its goals. These might include metrics like youth employment rates, educational attainment, health improvements, or reduced involvement in criminal activities.

3. Gather Data:

Collect both quantitative and qualitative data related to the identified KPIs. Data sources may include surveys, interviews, program records, and external research.

4. Engage Stakeholders:

Involve various stakeholders, including youth participants, parents, staff, volunteers, and partner organizations, in the data collection and evaluation process to gain a comprehensive understanding of the program's impact.

5. Assign Values and Costs:

Assign monetary values to both the positive and negative social impacts of the program. This can be a challenging but crucial step in calculating the SROI. For example, assess the economic value of a youth's increased income due to program participation.

6. Calculate SROI:

Use the collected data and assigned values to calculate the SROI. This involves comparing the benefits (positive outcomes) to the costs (investment) and expressing the result as a ratio (e.g., 1:5, meaning $1 invested yields $5 in social value).

7. Document the Process:

Maintain detailed records of the data, calculations, and methodologies used to calculate SROI. Transparency in the process is critical for credibility.

8. Tell the SROI Story:

Communicate the SROI findings in a clear, compelling, and accessible way. Use stories, case studies, and real examples to help stakeholders understand the impact and the value generated.

9. Benchmark and Compare:

Compare the SROI with industry or sector benchmarks to provide context and demonstrate how the organization's outcomes stack up against others.

10. Use Feedback for Continuous Improvement:

Use the SROI findings to identify areas for improvement and program optimization. Seek feedback from youth and other stakeholders on how to enhance program effectiveness.

11. Integrate SROI into Reporting:

Include SROI metrics and findings in regular reports and presentations to funders, partners, and the community. This reinforces transparency and accountability.

12. Seek External Verification:

To enhance the credibility of SROI calculations, consider involving external experts or auditors who can verify the process and results.

13. Advocate for Funding and Support:

Use the SROI data to advocate for increased funding and support from government agencies, philanthropic organizations, and investors interested in youth development.

14. Sustain Monitoring and Evaluation:

Maintain a continuous process of monitoring and evaluation to track progress and update SROI calculations over time.

15. Engage in Capacity Building:

Build internal capacity for SROI measurement by providing training and resources to staff involved in the process.

Making SROI explicit for youth-oriented service providers demonstrates a commitment to transparency, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making. It can also help attract more resources and support to further enhance the organization's impact on youth development.