Lessons from Link Up! What's So Different About Adolescents?

This brief explores some of the key lessons learned from Link Up in terms of engaging and providing services to adolescents. Specifically, this brief aims to: a) gain a better understanding of how adolescents were reached and engaged; b) outline the key challenges encountered as well as critical success factors (from providers’, programmers’ and adolescents’ perspectives) in relation to reaching adolescents with services; and c) identify gaps and make recommendations for future adolescent programming. Data from the Link Up monitoring system, findings from research studies and outcomes of community dialogues were all examined for adolescent aspects. In order to complement these data, interviews with linking organisations and implementing partners explored the perspectives of those involved in managing and providing services.