Langa, Malose2021-04-292021-04-292021http://hdl.handle.net/10625/59964Community Works Projects (CWP) are not prescribed but negotiated at the local level to include ‘useful work’, which serves the public good and/or improve the quality of community life. The study explores participation of youth within CWP with specific focus on factors that motivate or hinder them from joining, and activities that young people engage in once they join CWP. South Africa entered the COVID-19 pandemic with 29% unemployment, with over 40% living in poverty. The negative economic impact of COVID-19 has worsened unemployment levels. Evidence based, community-level interventions are required to ensure that employment through productive vocations can be achieved, especially for youth.application/pdfenYOUTH EMPLOYMENTUNDEREMPLOYMENTCOVID-19COMMUNITY WORK PROGRAMMECOMMUNITY PARTICIPATIONYOUTH ENGAGEMENTTOWNSHIPSLOCAL GOVERNANCEVIOLENCE PREVENTIONEMPLOYMENT CREATIONSOUTH AFRICASOUTH OF SAHARACase Study