Existence of dedicated youth programs (educational, social, recreational)
Assesses whether the organization provides a diverse range of regular, dedicated programs that cater to the holistic development of young people, covering their educational, social, and recreational needs. This criterion emphasizes a balanced approach (Wasatīyyah) integrating spiritual growth (Tarbiyah), safety (Riʿāyah), and skills for life, aligned with the Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah (preservation of faith, life, intellect, lineage, and property).
| Metric | Youth Program Balanced Scorecard |
|---|---|
| Target | Defined per annual plan |
| Frequency | Quarterly |
| Method | Composite score of Reach, Retention, Safeguarding Compliance, Inclusion uptake, Outcomes, and Youth Voice. |
| Unit | Composite |
Level 1: Initial/Ad-hoc
Nascent: Youth activities are ad-hoc, informal, and infrequent. No dedicated structure or safeguarding baseline.
Level 2: Developing
Developing: At least one regular activity exists, but governance is weak. Fails one or more compliance gates (e.g., incomplete DBS checks, no risk assessments).
Level 3: Established
Established: Meets minimum frequency (30+ sessions/year, min 8/domain). Basic safeguarding (DSL, Policy, Risk Assessments) and safer recruitment are in place.
Level 4: Advanced
Integrated: Comprehensive program covering all domains with strong governance (Trustee oversight). Inclusion policies (bursaries, SEND) active. Partnerships established.
Level 5: Optimizing
Exemplary: Benchmark of excellence. Youth-led (Shūrā), evidence-based (outcomes measured), and fully integrated with community leadership pipelines (Istikhlāf).
Organisation Types
By Organisation Size
| Size | Applicability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Micro | optional | Formal quarterly dashboards, KPIs, and 30+ annual sessions are disproportionate for volunteer-run groups; informal or ad-hoc youth engagement is sufficient. |
| Small | partial | Can scale down session frequency and simplify reporting (e.g., regular agenda items at trustee meetings rather than formal data dashboards). |
| Medium | full | Capacity exists for structured programmes, designated leads (including DSL), and formal quarterly reporting to trustees. |
| Large | full | Standard expectation to maintain robust youth programming, dedicated staff leads, and comprehensive governance oversight. |
| Major | full | Fully applicable. Expected to have dedicated youth departments, advanced safeguarding frameworks, and detailed KPI tracking. |
Applicable When
- The organization serves a community with a significant youth population.
- The organization has the resources to dedicate to youth programming.
- The organization's mission includes community development and education.
Not Applicable When
- The organization's primary focus is on a specific area (e.g., Zakat distribution, Halal certification) without a broader community outreach component.
- The organization exclusively serves adults or other specific demographics, lacking capacity or intention to engage with youth.
- The organization's operational scope is very limited and does not extend to offering regular programs.
Related Criteria
Discussion (1)
📋 **Version updated: 1.0.0 → 2.9.7** **Changes:** Updated islamic_references from mizan-297.json
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