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This report presents the findings from an evaluation of the first phase of the London European Social Fund (ESF) Youth Programme 2014-2020 (the Programme), with delivery occurring between April 2016 and March 2019. This report was written in late 2018, while some projects were still underway. It presents a snapshot of the results achieved and lessons learnt to that point. The Programme was designed to support young Londoners, aged 15-24 who were either not in education, employment or training (NEET), or at risk of becoming NEET, into sustainable employment, education or training (EET). The Programme involves seven strands of activity, aimed at different cohorts of young people and working with employers and schools. Five of the programme strands are intended to work together, with providers referring young people between strands in order to access targeted support. Key findings include: (1) the programme has been successful so far in supporting most participants (53 per cent) into EET; (2) despite the collaborative design of the programme, providers made fewer referrals than anticipated; (3) despite some reservations, the payment by results approach was generally viewed as the best payment model for this type of programme, incentivising the intended outcomes for providers; (4) providers had different ways of working but in terms of good delivery practice, the most effective approach they have found is to use skilled advisors, have strong local partnerships and to work flexibly with the young person; and (5) participants typically enjoyed the programme and found it helpful in improving their confidence, skills, prospects of getting a job, knowledge of options available to them, and motivation to take next steps.

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