Cross-Case Evaluation Methodology, Analysis and Outcomes

D4.1 Meta Report describes the YouCount evaluation methodology, analysis and outcomes. It is rooted in WP4 – this is to be distinguished from the impact dimension, which is also part of WP4, but will be reported by Lorenz and colleagues (2023). More specifically it addresses Task 4.1 (development of the evaluation framework) to Task 4.9 (external evaluation), including steps like data collection, data analysis, and continuous process evaluation aspects.

The main focus lays in the theoretical foundations of the YouCount evaluation, the implementation and adaptions, the analysis and the outcomes thereof. Lessons learned and suggestions for future projects are discussed.

The Report comprises 7 parts: (1) an introductory overview of YouCount’s aims and intentions in evaluating the multiple case study with 10 cases in 9 countries doing social inclusion Y-CSS; (2) the theoretical background of the original evaluation framework as outlined by Juricek and colleagues (2021); (3) the methodological design within the project context; (4) the implementation as adapted for the YouCount context, including derivations and later adaptations; (5) the actual outcomes and results of the analysis of the evaluation data; (6) the lessons learned as derived from the overall evaluation process; and finally (7) the conclusion remarks.

The main target group for this Deliverable are fellow CSS scientists, practitioners, but also lay people genuinely interested in the topic of how to evaluate a multi-country social inclusion Y-CSS project with mixed-methods approaches.