About this resource
This Power Within competency framework builds on 15+ years of CARE’s program design, implementation, and research with young people. Not only has the focus on leadership and life skills proven to be a popular inclusion in our work, but its inclusion is also a multiplier of impact. The more we see young people building these competencies, the more engaged they become in making informed decisions about their futures.
Power Within (PW) is a competency framework which supports young people’s (ages 10-24) development by building life skills that help them deal with the challenges and demands of their daily lives. The model contains three primary competency domains: strong self-image, strong mind, and strong voice. The competencies are transferable, which means that they can be applied in many situations, and they can be practiced throughout program activities in most, if not all, of CARE’s direct work with adolescents and youth.
This document begins with background on the model, including its origins in 2008, evidence of its impact, and influences guiding this update and refresh of the model. The PW framework and theory of change are presented, providing guidance for project and program development which include these PW competencies.
Following this, there are three sections, one for each domain. Included in each section is an overview of each domain, and in-depth definitions for each of the PW competencies. There are also examples of what the application of each competency can look like, so that progress can be better understood.
In addition to sections on each of the three domains, there is also a section on the foundational component of ‘wellbeing’, outlining the reasons for its inclusion, and what it means when it is successfully included. Finally, as with all programming, especially programming with young people, there is a duty to ensure safer programming. In other words, what are the actions and precautions that can be put in place proactively to minimize risk to those who participate.