Abstract
Abstract Using a systematic review of 18 research papers, policy documents, and evaluation reports, the study examines youth development programs sustainability through four aspects. First, the review explores how definitions of marginalized youth are applied in Middle East and African contexts. Furthermore, the review focuses on how programmatic suitability is discussed and implemented through the concepts of localization and contextualization. Additionally, the importance of locally grounded evidence as much as rigorous evidence and finally the implementation tactics. The review uses frameworks of ecological systems theory and empowering management approaches to analyze the data. The findings reveal significant variation in how marginalization is conceptualized—ranging from access gaps and displacement to civic exclusion and intersectionality—and highlight the lack of locally grounded frameworks for assessing suitability. Programs that prioritize contextualization and youth-led localization, and those that employ adaptive management approaches, demonstrate greater sustainability and relevance. However, many programs remain constrained by donor-driven logic models and rigid success indicators, which limit responsiveness to local realities. The thesis calls for a shift toward localized youth programs rooted in community ownership and offers practical recommendations for researchers and practitioners to build conceptual frameworks and to advocate for locally grounded evidence.
School
School of Sciences and Engineering
Department
Center for Applied Research on the Environment & Sustainability
Degree Name
MS in Sustainable Development
Graduation Date
Fall 2-1-2026
Submission Date
9-17-2025
First Advisor
Dr.Gurusewak Khalsa
Committee Member 1
Dr. Noura Wahby
Committee Member 2
Dr. Hassan AlFawal
Extent
87 p.
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval
Not necessary for this item
Disclosure of AI Use
Data/results generation and/or analysis; Thesis text drafting; Thesis editing and/or reviewing
Recommended Citation
APA Citation
Salem, R. A.
(2026).Youth Development Programs Critical Analysis, Rethinking Real Sustainability Measures. Focus on Middle-Eastern and African Contexts. [Master's Thesis, the American University in Cairo]. AUC Knowledge Fountain.
https://fount.aucegypt.edu/etds/2609
MLA Citation
Salem, Rasha AS. Youth Development Programs Critical Analysis, Rethinking Real Sustainability Measures. Focus on Middle-Eastern and African Contexts.. 2026. American University in Cairo, Master's Thesis. AUC Knowledge Fountain.
https://fount.aucegypt.edu/etds/2609