On March 15th, 2019, Ijevan Municipality concluded the results of “Youth: partner of Self-Governing Bodies” 4-month program.
The program included 17 youth aged 18-20 who are students of YSU Ijevan Branch.
They had the opportunity to develop and empower their knowledge and skills in the civil society, to bring the Self-Governing Bodies- Youth connection to a new level and to make the voice and suggestions of the youth heard at the local level.
Within the framework of the program, trainings were organized on capacity building of the group members, mechanisms of advocacy, identifying needs and conducting surveys, design and implementation of community programs, and mechanisms for cooperation between parties in the decision-making process.
Participants learned how to plan advocacy steps, identify the problem, map existing internal and external resources, assess needs, and more. They also conducted public opinion polls, based on the results of which a package of proposals was submitted to the local self-governing bodies.
During the meeting with the Ijevan mayor and council members, with the participation of the partner organizations, “Oxygen Foundation” and “World Vision”, YSUIB representatives, the group presented recommendations to the community to strengthen cooperation between young people and local Self-Governing Bodies. It was suggested that, for example, allocate funding for small youth initiatives by the Ijevan community budget, as local grants.
Ijevan Mayor Vardan Ghalumyan, welcoming the participants, highlighted the initiative of the youth and expressed readiness to cooperate and implement joint projects. He mentioned that with the council he would definitely discuss the proposals and make contacts with the youth more frequently.
All the participants received certificates.
The program’s main result is that it brings the partnership between youth and local Self-Governing Bodies a new level, which will promote the youth participation in the community discussion and new ideas. In addition, youth employment promotion “Youth: partner of Self-Governing Bodies” program implemented by “EU for Youth, Skills for the Future” (2018-2020), in cooperation with the Ijevan Municipality and “World Vision” international Organisation.
