Life Skills

What does is measure: This indicator measures the degree of increase in life skills after completion of a training course/program. Life skills are abilities for adaptive and positive behavior that enable individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life (WHO definition). In particular, life skills are psychosocial competencies and interpersonal skills that help people make informed decisions, solve problems, think critically and creatively, communicate effectively, build healthy relationships, empathize with others, and cope with managing their lives in a healthy and productive manner. It also used to refer to skills needed in daily life that are strongly connected to a certain context. Examples are livelihood skills, health skills, skills related to gender and family life, and environmental skills. Why is it important: The development of knowledge, attitudes, values and skills, which enable people to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of life. Competencies in the field of like life skills are key for strengthening the employability and entrepreneurial capability.

Method: If the project lasts less than one year, then the data should be collected as a routine monitoring form that is collected from all participants during project closeout. If the project lasts more than one year, then the data should be collected every six months as a routine monitoring form. If the project reaches more than 2,000 participants in total, it is recommended that a representatively sampled survey is used.

Questions:

• Communication: I feel comfortable to speak to people who are of different age or gender than me.
• Conflict resolution: I am able to handle personal disagreements and conflicts.
• Problem solving: When I encounter problems that I have not yet dealt with, I am confident that I can find a solution quickly.
• Innovation: I have an easy time with developing things that others have not yet thought of.
• Teamwork: I work best on my own /alone.
• Stress management: I can apply helpful measures myself to minimize the amount of stress I feel.
• Etc.

How to calculate:

1. Total number participants taking part in life skill courses.
2. The value of this indicator is the number of participants taking part in life skill courses (nominator) divided by the number of participants indicating an increase in interpersonal skills after completion of a training course/program (denominator).

Note: Take the average rating of all questions for each person at Baseline (BL). Then the same at Endline (EL). Then count all where EL > BL as having increased skills. Tabulation: Sum up those with increased skills.

What activities should the indicator be used for?

• life skill trainings
• peace building activities
• psychosocial support / mentoring

Disaggregate the data by gender, age, specific vulnerable groups, such as minorities or people with disability.

Increased ability to recognize and respond positively to emotions at the conclusion of training/programming.

Increased ability to plan and set goals at the conclusion of training/programming

Increased positive beliefs about own future at the conclusion of training/ programming