The Young Men Initiative was designed to promote positive behavior change amongst young men and alternatives to violence (particularly gendered violence). The effort to engage young men (aged 13-19) in addressing violence and the harmful practices of masculinity emerged from institutional learning journey, which included close collaboration with local partner organizations as well as international organisations.
The Young Men Initiative was roughly divided into two phases. Phase I, the pilot phase (2007-2010), adapted a program methodology and curriculum originally developed by the Institute Promundo in Latin America and the Caribbean and tested it in five pilot schools. Phase II (2011-2013) built on the effective strategies of the first phase to expand the methodology to more schools, reach target groups outside of schools, extend its geographic coverage, and promote the adoption of the program at the national level.
The project worked with several local and international partners in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Banja Luka, Mostar, and Sarajevo), Croatia (Zagreb), Serbia (Belgrade), and, starting from Phase II, Kosovo (Pristina, North Mitrovica). The Instituto Promundo, a Brazil-based NGO with extensive experience in addressing behavior change among youth regarding violence and health issues, supported campaign development and program methodology. The International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) provided technical support for baseline development, monitoring, evaluation, and research methodology.
The project aimed to promote a culture based on human rights, non-violence, and healthy development among young men and women and the wider community throughout the Western Balkans. The initiative sought to ensure that male youth aged 14-18 held attitudes and demonstrated behaviors that supported more gender-equitable social norms, healthy lifestyles, and discouraged violent behavior against their community, women, and peers. A baseline and endline quantitative survey were conducted to measure changes in attitudes and behaviors.
The project was supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MOTT Foundation and Oak Foundation
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