Heini Amiina Sirén Quick-Assessment Method for Rights-Based Participation and Inclusion of the Youth - The Case of Nuzha Centre in East-Amman, Jordan 88 p., 2 appendices February, 2019 Diaconia University of Applied Sciences Master’s Degree in Social Services Master of Social Services Master’s Degree Programme in Community Development, Human Rights and Conflict Resolution

The inclusion of the youth and their rights to be active participants have been undermined in the traditional community development context. Especially in the case of refugee youth, their voice is often ignored. Since, the realization of the refugee youth’s right to participation is imperative, there is a need for assessment methods in the community development projects. Therefore, the aim of the thesis was to achieve an improved quick method for assessing in what degree the rights-based participation and inclusion of the youth are realized in social development projects in the Middle-East context.

The research process was carried out in two phases. Firstly, the methodological part where a set of methodology, a method of four elements was developed for assessing the level and quality of the youth’s participation. Each aspects of the method were introduced based on the previous literature as well as modified and combined in order to create a well-working quick-assessment method. Secondly, the method was applied, tested and further developed at Nuzha centre by exploring, as a case study, the realization of right-based participation of the refugee youth. The application was conducted by organizing workshops for the staff/teachers and the youth. The research process was participatory and inclusive and used qualitative content analysis in processing the information produced in the case study.

The created quick-assessment method provided various operational information of the realization of participation of the youth at Nuzha centre case revealing, for example, that the participation of the youth was consultative and not yet reaching the deeper levels of inclusion. In terms of project cycle, the participation was limited to implementation phase only. The application worked as an eye-opener for the staff in internalizing the concept of inclusion and finding new ways to enhance it at the centre.

In conclusion, the developed quick-assessment method is, by making some improvements, recommended to be used in social development and humanitarian projects in assessments and evaluations. Because of its empowering effect to vulnerable groups such it is also applicable among the refugee communities.

Further research suggestions are concerning the influences of culture, traditions and gender aspects in the rights-based participation and inclusion of the refugees in the social development projects in the Middle-East.

Keywords: Refugee youth and rights, Rights-based participation and inclusion, Assessment methods, Assets and skills, Youth centre, Project cycle