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In sub-Saharan Africa, young women face disproportionate challenges transitioning from school to employment, with high rates of those not in education, employment or training (NEET). Structural barriers-including unequal gender norms, early marriage and unpaid labour-limit their economic participation. The Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) Livelihoods programme supports young women's transition from school to independent adulthood through mentoring, life skills, business and agricultural training and access to financial resources.

This study will evaluate the impact, process and mechanisms of change, and cost-benefit of CAMFED Livelihoods programme in Tanzania and Zimbabwe (2024-2027), focusing on outcomes related to economic activity, empowerment, leadership, mental health, subjective well-being and sexual and reproductive health among adolescent and young women (aged 15-24 years).

We will conduct a mixed-method, longitudinal evaluation across five districts in Tanzania and three districts in Zimbabwe. The quantitative component includes a pre-post cohort with a comparison group in Tanzania (n=1520) and a single-cohort design in Zimbabwe (n=500), with data collected at baseline, midline and endline. Primary outcomes are NEET status and leadership, complemented by measures of well-being, empowerment and health. The qualitative component will explore mechanisms of change and programme delivery. A cost-benefit analysis will estimate social and economic returns using a provider perspective. Youth researchers will be engaged to enhance participatory learning.

We have received ethics approvals from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (31266), the National Health Research Ethics Committee (6732) in Tanzania and the Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe (MRCZ/A/3239) in Zimbabwe. Results of this study will be published in peer-reviewed academic journals and shared with policymakers, study participants and the other stakeholders in Tanzania and Zimbabwe.