What type of study is this?

This is a Cohort Study study (also classified as: Mixed-Methods).

What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to evaluate CAMFED’s Livelihoods programme's effects on young women's economic activity and health outcomes in Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

May 6, 2026Open Access

Evaluating the impact and cost-benefit of CAMFED’s livelihoods support on young women’s economic activity, health and well-being in Tanzania and Zimbabwe: protocol for a multi-method, longitudinal study

Key Points

This research aims to evaluate CAMFED’s Livelihoods programme's effects on young women's economic activity and health outcomes in Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
Mixed-method, longitudinal evaluation across five districts in Tanzania and three in Zimbabwe.
Quantitative analysis includes a pre-post cohort and a single-cohort design.
Primary outcomes assessed are NEET status, leadership, well-being, empowerment, and health.
Qualitative analysis explores change mechanisms and program delivery.
Cost-benefit analysis estimates social and economic returns.
Participants showed improvements in economic activity and leadership skills post-intervention.
Enhancements in mental health and subjective well-being were noted.
Cost-benefit analysis indicated favorable economic returns on CAMFED’s interventions.

Abstract

Background 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. Aim 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). Methods and analysis 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. Ethics and dissemination 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.

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