1. Sally Hartley, Presentation at UK Co-operative College Conference, Tuesday 3 rd July 2012 Livelihoods, learning and youth: The impact of co-operatives on a new generation in countries in Africa

2. 2 Background Youth Bulge Revival of co-ops

3. Focus of research Youth co-operatives in Lesotho and Uganda Growing emphasis and engagement youth and co- operatives Primary co-ops – range in size and sector, generally smaller (below 50 members) and in agriculture and savings and credit. Both community and school based Investigating impact of co-operatives on youth by using a learning lens Methodology – in-depth, qualitative, participatory and multiple methods 3

4. Livelihood options for youth 4

5. Co-operatives as a channel for youth livelihoods 5

6. Findings: 6 Youth are attracted to co-ops as they want to make an income Recognise the benefit of working collectively –Share resources - skills, ideas and finance –Build stronger voice – negotiation of prices Do not always see co-operatives as relevant to them Increases to income enable them to pay for basic necessities Sense of waiting for co-operatives to develop

7. Wider impacts of co-operative livelihoods for youth 7

8. The Head Teacher at Mohale’s Hoek High School, Lesotho explains the broad range of areas of development: “(How do you think the students change as a result of being in the co-op?) Discipline; one could be aloof before, could be selfish and not having a sense of sharing. They develop a personal discipline to chat to each other and think of one another. They are competent; they believe in what they are and accept their situation. They find ways of helping each other and learn how to live with their problems.” 8

9. 9 Personal Development confidence, collaborative decision making, leadership, public speaking, motivation and commitment,, future focused, responsible, building relationships

10. Motivated and focussed 10

11. Trust and peer support 11

12. Community engagement 12

13. Wider impacts of co-operatives 13 Increased agency and achieved functionings in areas of life that youth value (Sen 1999) –Improved business and increased income –Access to education and information –Agency and personal development –Motivated and focussed on development –Peer groups and networks = safety nets –Improved perceptions of youth, Increased youth interest in the community = Participation in the community

14. Role of learning 14

15. 15 LearningImpact Access to education and learningMore informed and ‘developed’ ConfidenceIncreased agency Motivated and focussedAvoiding risky behaviours Business know howImproved business & increased income How to work with others, learn to trust each other Peer support networks Leadership skills and increased confidence Increased community and civic participation Role of learning & wider impacts

16. Implications of research 16 Evidence of co-operatives as a platform for youth livelihoods that provides both economic and social impacts on development Broadens notions of the impact of co-operatives Emphasis on the role of learning in the broader impacts that co-operatives can have