The New Pathfinders Team has a long-standing record of producing reliable results for its clients and partners. Our success is based on a native-based understanding of the operating landscape, expert experience in research design, and a commitment to approach every project as new and unique. The majority of the Pathfinders team, from executive staff to enumerators, are locals with a local’s understanding of the socio-political sensitivities of the environment. Our team stays on the forefront of social science research methods and instruments. And, given the changing nature of fragile states, we never treat any two projects the same.

The following projects have either been completed or are underway by our partner organization, The Yemen Polling Center, and exemplify our range of methods and approaches:

Re-building Peace and Security in Yemen (Ongoing)

This EU-funded projects seeks to analyze security perceptions and non-state security actors on the ground with the aim of enhancing knowledge of security needs and concerns in Yemen. The project further intends to identify and train local security interlocutors with the goal of contributing to establishing local expertise for a future Yemeni government as well as so international actors might draw on in developing (national) security strategies for Yemen.

World Food Programme (WFP) Third Party Assessment and Monitoring Services (2015-2016)

The World Food Programme contracted YPC as a third party for assessment, monitoring and reporting activities to ensure a presence at the field level on behalf of WFP. Serving as an extension of WFP to undertake rigorous assessment and monitoring activities while filling the information gap in inaccessible areas, YPC conducted Household surveys, Market Monitoring, Distribution Monitoring, Post-Distribution monitoring and other services across several governorates in Yemen.

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Arab Youth Survey (2016)

In the summer of 2016, the Yemen Polling Center conducted a survey on behalf of the Freidrich Ebert Foundation. The survey sampled 1000 Youths (age 16-30) across the Republic of Yemen, examining trends and opinions among them.

Gallup’s World Poll (2011 – 2017)

The Gallup’s World Poll continually surveys citizens in 140 countries, representing 95% of the world’s adult population, measuring the public’s attitudes concerning political, social and economic issues, including highly sensitive and controversial subjects. YPC is Gallup’s partner in Yemen for the Gallup World Poll.

OPOR Yemen Public Opinion Survey (2009 – 2017)

YPC has conducted, since 2009, a nationally representative public opinion survey for The Office of Opinion Research of the U.S. Department of State which included face-to-face interviews to 2000 nationals and addressed public attitudes toward domestic and regional issues.

UNDP Rapid Integrated Assessment (2015)

In light of the current war in Yemen, YPC conducted an assessment for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to provide basic and actionable evidence on the socio-economic state of communities, social cohesion, informal mechanisms and capacities for accessing services important for self-reliance. In doing so, the assessment will provide a better understanding of the recovery challenges in Yemen, enhance an early recovery approach, facilitate a rapid return to sustainable development pathways, with the focus on building the long-term resilience of communities, and inform targeted response and intervention plans. The project was carried out in September and October of 2015, covering a sample of 1620 in Aden, Abyan, Taiz, Sa’ada, Sana’a, and Hajjah governorates.

UNICEF KAP Survey (2015):

YPC was contracted to conduct, provide analysis for, and report on a quantitative Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) survey across five regions of Yemen among a representative sample of respondents in 106 districts. With a sample size of 3280 households, the overall objective is to evaluate the current knowledge, awareness and practices of basic life behaviours regarding women and children, with a primary focus on nutrition, health and hygiene practices.

National Democratic Institute (NDI) (2015)

YPC conducted a nation-wide survey on voter intentions and perception of political parties, as well as on the general political and social expectations. 3010 interviews were conducted of respondents age 18 and over in all Yemeni governorates (430 interviews in each of the six regions of Yemen in addition to 430 interviews in Sana’a city)

Youth Voices in Policy: Empowering Yemeni Youths in Local Communities (2014 – Ongoing)

EU funded project aimed at empowering youths on the community level and to involve them in the policy debate by creating efficient communication channels between youths and their representatives on the local and national levels by establishing a set of Youth Lobby groups (YLG) which can work independently after the project.

Women’s Rights In Criminal Prosecution In Yemen (2014 – ongoing)

EU-funded project (EIDHR) aimed at enhancing the legal security of women in Yemen, paying particular attention to Art. 273 (and Art. 274) of the Criminal Code; and to improve arrest procedures as well as prison and detention conditions

IFC Housing Microfinance Project (2014)

The Housing Microfinance (HMF) Market Assessment in Yemen is an IFC-led initiative with an aim to study the potential demand for HMF finance and specific characteristics and needs of different segments of potential borrowers. This assessment will help support key stakeholders in Yemen – from the policy/government and donor level, to retail actors like banks and microfinance institutions (MFIs) – to understand the existing demand for HMF finance, and – eventually –  to make a more informed decision on whether (and how) to offer finance for housing microfinance.

United Nations Perception survey (2014)

YPC carried out a survey in order to gauge opinions, knowledge level, and perception on the United Nations and its agencies by Yemeni citizens. The study also aimed to understand general public media consumption habits and information channels used by the general public to receive information on the UN. The survey sampled 1000 Yemenis in 20 governorates through face-to-face interviews.

Women’s Voice In New Yemen (2013-2014)

USAID (MEPI) funded project aimed at raising social awareness about women and gender issues and at enhancing positive understanding of the role of the two genders in Yemen. Moreover, the project aims at promoting collaboration between the civil society organizations interested in raising social awareness about gender rights, defending women, and promoting their role in the new Yemen.

PSRAI Survey (2013-2014)

Starting 2013, as a part of a Global survey including 25 countries, YPC conducted a twice yearly nation-wide survey of 1000 interviews for Princeton Survey Research Associates International (PSRAI) the state of affairs of global issues.

Street Vendor Survey (2014)

YPC carried out a survey on street vendors for the World Bank investigating issues relevant to the large number of street vendors in Taiz. The study sampled 150 street vendors.

Security Governance in Yemen. Conditions and Framework For a Multi-Layered Security Network (2012-2014)

EU funded (IfS) project aimed at assessing the conditions for and facilitating the creation of a multi-layered approach to security sector governance in Yemen. In particular, it intends to strengthen the security sector oversight capacity of Parliament, enhance the capacities of civil society actors, and contribute to the forging of links between all Yemeni actors involved in the security sector with international organizations.

NDI Survey in partnership with GQRR (2013-2014)

YPC conducted a nation-wide survey on voter intentions and perception of political parties, as well as on the general political and social expectations in the transition process, with a special focus on the National Dialogue.

D3 Systems Surveys (2012-2014)

YPC conducted for D3 Systems a number of surveys covering issues such as media, security, and public opinion on several topics. The surveys were carried out nationwide and sampled 1,000 to 2,000 respondents.

Civil Society Forum (2012-2014)

EU funded (EIDHR), seeks to strengthen Yemen’s civil society and its ability to positively impact on human rights and democracy in Yemen by establish a forum which allows the exchange of ideas, contacts, and expertise. It also aims at building effective partnerships between civil society on the international, national, and local level, youth activists, politicians, and the media, and at creating awareness for effective human rights and civic culture promotion.

Yemen Parliament Watch Project (2012 – 2014)

Long term project implemented by YPC and funded by USAID (MEPI) and EU (EIDHR). It included numerous public polls on women’s political rights and participation, public awareness of Parliament, and the ongoing electoral reform process, training civil society organizations on lobbying Parliament and journalists on how to report on Parliamentary matters, and monitoring corruption practices

Towards The National Dialogue Survey (2012)

The EU-funded survey “Towards the National Dialogue”, with a sample size of 5000 respondents, aimed at gauging the public opinion of the Yemeni society regarding the composition, timing and format of the National Dialogue to be held in Yemen and to identify opinion trends on the national transitional process, political parties, leading figures and opinion makers.

GAP Survey (2010-2013)

In 2012 and 2013, YPC conducted the GAP Survey for Gallup. With a sample  size of 25,000 (divided into two waves), the survey aimed at gaining better understanding of the political, social, cultural, security, and economic environments in urban and rural Yemen. The questions included tackled issues such as quality of life, civil liberties, foreign relations, media habits, security, basic services, and general lifestyle. In 2010 YPC, conducted the GAP Survey for ORB (n=9450), which also contained a total of 4 focus group components across 3 years (16/16/20/20 focus groups) in several governorates including Al-Mahara, Ma’reb, Hadramout, Aden, and Sana’a.

World Bank Survey on Decentralization (2013)

At the request of the World Bank, YPC conducted a survey regarding Yemeni sentiments and perceptions of decentralization. The study examined attitudes toward the concept of decentralization, the state of decentralization both before and after the Arab Spring, perceived challenges, risks and benefits toward the process as well as Yemeni people’s level of understanding of decentralization.

Investment Opportunities in Agriculture (2013)

20 in-depth interviews were conducted for Arkin Group in order to assess the state of affairs of agriculture development in North Yemen and its potential for investment. Businessmen, farmers, academics, political leaders and sheiks were interviewed.

BBG Media Survey (2010 / 2013)

This survey inquired about media consumption patterns, including use of newspapers, television, radio and internet.

Post-election Public Survey (2012)

YPC carried out a survey for IFES asking citizens’ opinions on the February 2012 Presidential Elections. With 2000 respondents interviewed in all Yemen’s governorates, the survey covered the topics of voter participation and feedback on different electoral procedures, integrity and fairness of the elections, effectiveness of the public information campaign, opinions on women’s involvement in politics and perceptions of the current political situation, the transition, and future expectations.

Yemen Popular Uprising Survey (2011)

The Yemen Popular Uprising Survey 2011 was completed with the support of the US Department of State.  The purpose of the survey was to gain better understanding of the attitudes regarding the Yemeni uprising in 2011, domestic and foreign actors, and the near term future. To that end 800 Yemenis were interviewed in their households in 13 governorates and 300 Yemenis present in protest squares in 6 governorates.

Yemeni attitude changes (Politics, level hood, security and terrorism) (2011)

Nationwide survey and focus groups for ORB International on the attitudes of Yemeni society regarding main political, social, economic, and security issues. It focuses on al-Qaida in Yemen

Branding of Humanitarian and Development Projects (2011)

A survey study for USAID on the best means of communicating with beneficiaries of development and humanitarian projects. The study also considered potential risks and dangers to those working on USAID projects.

Media Consumption Patterns Survey (2011)

A study on media consumption patterns and perceptions of humanitarian and development assistance in six governorates for IOM – Amran, Al-Jawf, al-Dhale, Mareb, Abyan and Hajjah.

Strengthening Independent Media in Yemen (2010-2011)

This project, conducted with a grant from the Open Society Institute, consists of a needs assessment of the independent media based on interviews with members of independent print and online newspapers, a nation-wide survey on media consumption patterns more generally, and a workshop with the local independent media.

Human Rights Awareness Survey (2010)

At the request UNDP, the UNFPA, and the Ministry of Human Rights, YPC conducted a nationwide survey on awareness, attitudes, and the extent to which human rights are realized in Yemen.

Status of Women in Yemen (2010)

YPC implemented a survey for the International Foundations for Elections Systems (IFES) addressing the status of women in Yemen. The project was particularly focused on understanding women’s political and electoral rights.

UNAIDS (2010)

Implemented in partnership with the United Nations, YPC conducted a survey on HIV/AIDS issues in Yemen including awareness of the disease and the social stigma that accompanies it.

Health Services Research Project (2010)   

In partnership with the World Bank, YPC undertook a research project o delivery and governance of healthcare in Yemen. The project consisted of patient-exit surveys, a household survey, and in-depth interviews with healthcare administrators. YPC also collected data on record-keeping, finances, and human resources practices in the health facilities examined.

UNAIDS KABP Survey (2010)

Implemented in partnership with the UNAIDS (United Nations), YPC conducted a survey on HIV/AIDS issues in Yemen including knowledge, awareness, attitude, behavior and Practice of the disease and the social stigma that accompanies it.

Advancing Political Participation (2010)

With funding from the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) this project included both survey research on popular political participation in Yemen and workshops with political parties to enhance political participation.

Rural Investment Climate Survey (RICS) (2010)

In partnership with the World Bank, YPC conducted a survey in Sana’a, Dhamar and Lahj. The survey, comprised three different questionnaires, sought to collect data about the investment climate in rural areas, the difficulties faced by entrepreneurs, the type of formal or informal enterprises existing in the rural areas and the availability of infrastructure there.

Yemen Justice and policing awareness and attitudes of Yemenis (2010)

This project was a survey done for the Yemen Justice and Policing Programme (YJPP), a UK Government funded project administered through UK AID and the UK’s Department for International Development (DfID).  The objective was to assist the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Justice in developing their services and performance. The survey of 2000 respondents was conducted by the Yemen Polling Centre (YPC).  This data isused to compare with future surveys and provide one of the measurements of public satisfaction and access to police and justice in the framework of the Yemen Justice and Policing Programme. On the basis of to the survey findings, the programme and the stakeholder ministries have started working on a plan to develop the quality of the services in the police and the judiciary system to increase stability and to limit criminality.