Demos is currently undertaking an evaluation of the organisation UpRising, which provides leadership training to young people from diverse backgrounds to help them achieve their ambitions and goals.
This evaluation is part of the Cabinet Office Social Action Fund and Journey Fund, which aims to increase ‘social action’ among young people in the UK. Demos’ research will include evaluations of the UpRising Core Programme, the My Voice, My Vote programme, and the Pass it On programme.
The research method includes pre- and post-programme surveys, the use of a control group to meet Nesta Level 3 Standards of Evidence, focus groups and innovative social media research through Demos’ Centre for the Analysis of Social Media. The evaluation will be completed by the Summer of 2015, and will culminate in a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for UpRising to utilise in the future.
In autumn 2014, Demos will be launching an interim report of its research that will include a survey and focus groups of UpRising alumni, as well as in-depth interviews with ‘people in positions of power’ who come from a diversity of backgrounds.
Demos is also running events with UpRising at Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat Party Conferences exploring the relationship between the lack of diversity in the political class and disillusionment among young people in traditional party politics.
