Adolescents – young people between the ages of 10 and 19 – have specific needs that are distinct from those of younger children and adults. This transitional and developmental period is increasingly seen as an “age of opportunity”1 globally and in humanitarian settings, because of the significant individual and intergenerational implications of adolescent development.

Cash and voucher assistance (CVA) – giving beneficiaries cash or vouchers as an alternative to in-kind assistance such as food, blankets and direct services – is used increasingly in humanitarian settings. While CVA shows promise for addressing adolescents’ needs, a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of CVA on the protection and wellbeing of adolescents is critical. In particular, evidence is needed on how CVA should best be designed to draw on the assets and capacities of adolescents and ensure that any context-specific associated risks for adolescents can be mitigated through program design.