Improve Programs & Policy
From measurement to meaningful action.
The Youth Meaningfulness Index is designed to be used across diverse settings where understanding young people's experiences can improve programmes, policy, education, and research. More than a survey, YMI provides a practical framework for listening to young people, identifying priorities, and translating evidence into action.
Diagnose Challenges
Identify where young people need the greatest support.
The YMI helps uncover strengths and gaps across the four drivers of meaningfulness, replacing assumptions with evidence drawn directly from young people's own experiences. Whether the challenge is low self-care, limited engagement, weak social connectedness, or a lack of purpose, YMI provides a structured starting point for action.
Design Better Programmes
Use evidence to shape interventions that respond to what young people actually need.
YMI findings can guide programme design by showing which aspects of meaningfulness require the most attention. Rather than applying generic solutions, organisations can develop targeted activities that respond directly to identified gaps.
Monitor Progress
Track how meaningfulness changes as your programme develops.
YMI can be administered at regular intervals to monitor changes across the four drivers, helping organisations understand which groups are improving, where challenges remain, and when programme adjustments are needed. Instead of measuring only attendance or participation, YMI tracks the outcomes that matter most to young people's lived experiences.
Evaluate Impact
Demonstrate meaningful change with confidence.
By comparing baseline and endline results, organisations can assess whether their interventions have strengthened meaningfulness and identify which groups have benefited the most. YMI provides credible evidence that can support learning, reporting, fundraising, and accountability.
Track Long-Term Change
Build a longitudinal understanding of youth meaningfulness.
Repeated implementation enables organisations, schools, and governments to observe how meaningfulness evolves over months or years, understand the effects of new initiatives, and monitor how wider social or economic changes influence young people's lives.
Strengthen Youth Participation
Move beyond consultation.
YMI encourages organisations to share findings with young people, involve them in interpreting results, identifying priorities, and co-designing responses. This transforms data collection into a genuine process of participation, giving young people ownership over decisions that affect them.
Amal Youth Centre
A community youth centre used YMI to identify low Self-Care and Physical & Cognitive Engagement among older adolescents. Discussions with young people helped explain the findings, leading to two simple programme changes: a weekly rest and reflection space, and a youth-led activities programme. Eight months later, follow-up results showed measurable improvements in both drivers, demonstrating how small, evidence-informed changes can strengthen meaningfulness.
Read the full case study