Children and young people

Breaking Point: An analysis of the impact of budget cuts on children's services in Ireland

In March 2019, Barnardos commissioned Just Economics to undertake research on the impact of the current funding environment on their services. This report formed the basis of Barnardos 2020 budget submission. It describes how a constrained funding environment is rapidly becoming unsustainable for organisations working with children and families. It sets out the costs to society of historic underinvestment and the impact this had on societal outcomes such as health, crime, well-being. An index of these outcomes shows how Ireland is second from the bottom in a sample of European economies. The report sets out a series of recommendations to strengthen Barnardos sustainablity and, in turn, their ability to meet needs within their communities.

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Corn Fakes: The social and economic costs of the removal of micronutrients from Kellogg’s cereals

Since 2013, there is evidence that Kellogg's has been removing key mirconutrients from its breakfast cereals in Mexico. This report makes an economic assessment of the savings to Kelloggs and compares this to the cost to the health, well-being and development of Mexican society. It estimates that Kellogg’s saved $85 million USD over five years from this practice, whilst the minimum cumulative social cost to Mexico for the removal of just three key nutrients will be $250 million USD over five years. This means for every dollar that Kellogg’s saves by de-fortifying cereals it destroys at least three dollars in value to Mexican consumers. The report discusses the implications of this for Mexican society.

Microsoft YouthSpark Evaluation

YouthSpark is a flagship programme of Microsoft Philanthropies that aims to enable young people around the world to learn digital and computer science skills. Just Economics was commissioned to evaluate the extent to which YouthSpark is achieving its mission and objectives. Using qualitative methods, over 100 stakeholders were engaged and site visits were conducted in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Asia. The evaluation was commissioned to feed into Microsoft's strategic planning process and to inform its future strategy for YouthSpark.

An economic appraisal of the Youngballymun initiative

Just Economics and the National University of Ireland, Maynooth were commissioned to carry out an area-based impact assessment of the Youngballymun project. Just Economics developed an economic model to estimate the return on investment to the State from the intervention.

An SROI of Fifteen London

Started by the Jamie Oliver Foundation, Fifteen London is a social enterprise that trains disadvantaged young people in culinary skills with the aim of improving their employment outcomes. This SROI analysis by Just Economics estimates the social and economic impact of outcomes for young people, including improved health, well-being and future employment prospects.

Children and young people, Education, employment and economic development, Health and well-being

Youth Work Ireland: exploring the impact of integrated youth work

Youth Work Ireland (YWI) is the largest youth organization in Ireland. YWI uses an innovative Integrated Youth Service Model with the aim of ensuring that young people receive a high quality, efficient and effective service that treats them as a ‘whole person’. Just Economics was commissioned by YWI to assess the evidence for both integrated youth work in general and the YWI Integrated Youth Service Model specifically. The study will be published in 2019.

An SROI of Bookstart

Bookstart seeks to promote reading amongst low-income families. Just Economics was commissioned to undertake an SROI study to assess the impact of improved literacy on lifetime outcomes for the children that benefit from the intervention.

Mental health needs of children in secure settings

Funded by Amnesty International and carried out in partnership with other research organisations, this project mapped the mental health needs of young people in secure settings. Just Economics was responsible for reviewing the existing literature and comparing the costs of placements in secure settings with therapeutic alternatives.

Just Economics Connecting Yp In Africa Report Image

Connecting young people in Africa

Internet access is still beyond the reach of many people worldwide. BT’s Connecting Africa programme aims to reduce the digital divide by providing internet access to orphaned and displaced young people in Africa. This evaluation by Just Economics explores the difference getting online has made to these young people and their communities.

Limerick Youth Housing Report

Just Economics was commissioned to evaluate the Limerick Youth Housing Project (LHYP), a homelessness intervention modelled on the Housing First approach developed in the US and Canada.