Stakeholders Participation and Performance of Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP) Funds: A Case of Lira City East Division

Abstract

Despite global and national efforts to address youth unemployment, including targeted interventions like YLP, limited stakeholder engagement and systemic challenges have hindered the program's effectiveness. This study aims to fill the existing knowledge gap by evaluating how stakeholder involvement impacts YLP outcomes in Lira City East. This study adopted a cross-sectional research design to analyze stakeholder participation and the performance of the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP) funds in Lira City. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were employed to collect and triangulate data, enhancing reliability and validity. A sample size of 194 participants was determined from a population of 316 using Krejcie and Morgan's table, with census and simple random sampling techniques applied. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires and interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, employing descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were thematically analyzed. Reliability and validity of instruments were ensured through pilot testing and expert review. Robust regression analysis revealed that stakeholder involvement in planning (B = 0.558, p = 0.000), implementation (B = 0.311, p = 0.024), and monitoring (B = 0.275, p = 0.033) positively impacted YLP performance. Qualitative findings highlighted improved beneficiary identification, skill enhancement, and accountability through active engagement. The adjusted R-squared of 0.472 indicated that 47.2% of the variance in YLP performance was explained by stakeholder participation, indication its critical role in programme success. The study concluded that stakeholder participation significantly enhances the performance of the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP) by ensuring proper beneficiary selection, addressing skill gaps, and improving accountability. The study recommended active stakeholder involvement during planning, continuous capacity- building during implementation, and strengthened monitoring to improve project outcomes, ensure transparency, and promote sustainability.