Bangladesh is undergoing a transformative period, with youth at the forefront of advocating for meaningful policy reforms. This pivotal transition indicates the necessity of prioritizing key reforms and instituting mechanisms to track their implementation. To address this critical need, the Youth Policy Forum (YPF) and ActionAid Bangladesh have collaborated to empower youth voices in shaping and monitoring policy reforms through the creation of a comprehensive Youth-Led Reform Matrix and Scorecard.
About the Project
The project seeks to bridge the gap between youth aspirations and actionable policy reforms by equipping young advocates and the general public with innovative tool to simplify, track, and communicate reform priorities effectively. At its core, the initiative emphasizes youth leadership in shaping policy dialogues and promoting accountability in governance. As a key output of this project, a Youth-Led Reform Matrix and Scorecard has been developed.
This tool will enable youth and the broader community to:
Track Reforms: Easily monitor the progress of reform initiatives across key policy areas.
Advocate for Change: Utilize clear and actionable insights to engage with policymakers and demand accountability.
Promote Transparency: Facilitate public understanding of complex policy challenges and proposed reforms.
OBJECTIVES
Methodology
Desk Research
Analyzed successful international policy models and case studies to derive actionable insights.
Youth Consultations
Conducted in-person and virtual workshops to incorporate diverse youth perspectives and prioritize their needs.
Stakeholder Collaboration
Engaged with policymakers, sector specialists, and grassroots organizations to validate findings and recommendations.
Capacity Building
Organized workshops to train youth advocates in using the Reform Matrix and Scorecard effectively.
Ongoing Feedback
Established mechanisms for continuous feedback and improvement of the tools.
What is reform matrix?
The Reform Matrix is a structured framework that identifies key challenges in specific policy areas and proposes strategic reforms to address them. It integrates insights from youth, best practices, and local needs to guide policymakers in achieving sustainable change.
Structure of the Reform Matrix:
- Key Stakeholders: Identifies institutions and organizations responsible for implementing reforms.
- Policy Objective: Specifies the desired outcomes of the reform efforts.
- Recommended Activities for Policymakers: Outlines actionable steps and initiatives.
- Outcomes: Describes measurable results of implementing the activities.
- Potential Impact: Highlights long-term benefits for society and the economy.
Sample Reform matrix
Policy Objectives
Recommended Activities for Policymakers
Outcomes
Potential Impact
Key Stakeholders
Recommended Activities for Policymakers
Increase funding for judiciary
Implement digital case management tools
Unbiased recruitment of additional judges
Outcomes
Reduced case backlog
Faster resolution of disputes
Independent audits to guarantee that transfers, hiring, and promotions are free from political influence
Potential Impact
Restored public trust and improved access to justice
Key Stakeholders
ACC, Judiciary, Ministry of Law, Parliament, Civil Society
Recommended Activities for Policymakers
Capacity building of the employees
Designing user-centric websites, with the establishment of feedback mechanisms
Outcomes
Enhanced access to government services, and improved service delivery
Higher service satisfaction rate of users
Potential Impact
Increased efficiency in public service delivery
Key Stakeholders
Ministry of Law, Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology
Recommended Activities for Policymakers
Restoring the autonomy of ACC
Revise legal frameworks (including Section 42 of the Public Service Act of 2018 ) to empower ACC.
Enforce mandatory wealth disclosures
Outcomes
Improved accountability
Potential Impact
- Greater transparency, and enhanced business climate
Key Stakeholders
Ministry of Law, ACC
Recommended Activities for Policymakers
Strengthen monitoring of public procurement Regular independent audits of the procurement processes
Mandating the e-GP system and local newspapers to publish tender notices
Enacting strict penalties for corrupt contractors and officials
Outcomes
Improved oversight
Reduced instances of single-bid contracts and collisions
Boosted efficiency
Potential Impact
- Enhanced transparency, and fair practices
Key Stakeholders
Ministry of Law, Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology
Recommended Activities for Policymakers
Reform EC structure to ensure autonomy
Implement merit-based, transparent appointments for commissioners
Outcomes
Free and fair elections
Boosted public confidence in electoral processes
Potential Impact
- Strengthened democratic governance
Key Stakeholders
ACC, Judiciary, Ministry of Law
Recommended Activities for Policymakers
Reform Articles 27 and 23A to ensure equality and indigenous rights
Enhance enforcement mechanisms for anti-discrimination laws
Outcomes
Better legal protections for marginalized groups and reduced discrimination
Potential Impact
- Fostered inclusivity, aligned with international human rights standards
Key Stakeholders
Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliament; Judiciary; National Human Rights Commission (NHRC); Ministry of Social Welfare,
Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Local Government Institutions (Union Parishad, Upazila Parishad)
Recommended Activities for Policymakers
Establish independent oversight for law enforcement
Enforce penalties for violations
Mandate medical checks post-detention
Outcomes
Reduced incidents of torture and deaths in custody
Potential Impact
Enhanced human rights accountability
Key Stakeholders
Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliament; Judiciary; National Human Rights Commission (NHRC); Civil Society
What is the Scorecard?
The YPF Scorecard is envisioned as a policy accountability framework that evaluates The YPF Scorecard is a policy accountability tool designed to evaluate and track progress on key reforms over a five-year period using measurable indicators. It monitors both policy priorities (e.g., graduate unemployment rates) and reform activities (e.g., partnerships, policy actions) through a structured framework including baseline, targets, endline, and performance scores.
Scoring System
The scorecard uses a five-point scale to evaluate progress on reforms:
- Indicates no progress or a lack of articulation of actionable goals.
- Signals insufficient progress, reflecting fragmented efforts with policies either poorly designed or inadequately implemented.
- Reflects moderate progress with some achievements but gaps remain, suggesting a transition phase between short-term challenges and longer-term improvements.
- Demonstrates substantial progress, with most goals being met and significant steps taken toward long-term targets.
- Signifies full implementation with best practices and a significant, sustained impact, achieving both short-term and long-term reform goals effectively.
Policy Area scorecard
Priority Sector
Policy Area (e.g. Education, Environment, healthcare, Law and Governance, Economy, etc.)
Education
Policy Objective
The reform goal of the policy
Attracting and Retaining Better Talent in Teaching
Activity
Activities undertaken to achieve the reform goal
Raise Teacher Pay to reflect value of the profession
key Stakeholder
Stakeholders mainly responsible for implementation reform activities
MoE
Current status of the indicator
1:37 is the current average ratio of teacher to student in the primary level
End Target
Desired status of the indicator
1:14 is the global standard ratio of teacher to student in the primary level, as per OECD recommendation
Term (years)
Time frame to achieve the goal (e.g. 3 years, 5 years, etc.)
5 years
Year 1 target
Progress target in year 1 (FY2025/26)
To be updated
Year 2 target
Progress target in year 2 (FY2026/27)
To be updated
Year 3 target
Progress target in year 3 (FY2027/28)
To be updated
Score
Performance score in each year Year 1: Year 2: Year 3:
Recommendation
Recommendations for improvements or corrective actions Year 1: Year 2: Year 3:
Sample Scorecard
Priority Sector
Policy Objective
Activity
key Stakeholder
Baseline
End Target
Term (years)
Year 1 target
Year 2 target
Year 3 target
Score
Recommendation
Policy Area (e.g. Education, Environment, healthcare, Law and Governance, Economy, etc.)
The reform goal of the policy
Activities undertaken to achieve the reform goal
Stakeholders mainly responsible for implementation reform activities
Current status of the indicator
Desired status of the indicator
Time frame to achieve the goal (e.g. 3 years, 5 years, etc.)
Progress target in year 1 (FY2025/26)
Progress target in year 2 (FY2026/27)
Progress target in year 3 (FY2027/28)
Performance score in each year Year 1: Year 2: Year 3:
Recommendations for improvements or corrective actions Year 1: Year 2: Year 3:
Education
Attracting and Retaining Better Talent in Teaching
Raise Teacher Pay to reflect value of the profession
MoE
1:37 is the current average ratio of teacher to student in the primary level
1:14 is the global standard ratio of teacher to student in the primary level, as per OECD recommendation
5 years
To be updated
To be updated
To be updated
Way Forward
Conduct Divisional Surveys
Gather youth aspirations and needs through surveys and workshops across all divisions to refine the Reform Matrix.
Expand Partnerships
Collaborate with universities, CSOs, government agencies, and international organizations to strengthen reform advocacy and implementation.
Increase Public Engagement
Introduce interactive Reform Portal features like discussion forums, progress dashboards, and advocacy toolkits to boost participation.
Launch Advocacy Campaigns
Mobilize youth networks to champion reform priorities through events, rallies, and multimedia campaigns.
Publish Annual Reports
Provide yearly updates with revised matrices, scorecards, and recommendations to track progress and guide future actions.
Align with National Goals
Ensure reforms align with Bangladesh’s Vision 2041 and SDGs, advocating their inclusion in government strategies for long-term impact.
Reform Matrix on Policy Priorities
Addressing gaps in access, quality, and employability-focused education.
Advocating for universal healthcare access and mental health resources.
Proposing sustainability measures and climate adaptation strategies.
Promoting entrepreneurship, job creation, and equitable economic opportunities.
Enhancing accountability, inclusivity, and rule of law.
Publications
Baseline Report
Analysis of challenges and opportunities in five key policy areas, forming the foundation for the Reform Matrix and Scorecard.
YPF Magazine
A compilation of youth-led articles and policy briefs highlighting initiatives and progress.