YOUTH CIVIC EDUCATION & COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION PROJECT

REPORT

10/2010– 08/2011

Georgia

Project Donors:

UNDP Georgia Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania WV Austria WV Romania

Georgia

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Project Implementers:

World Vision Georgia World Vision Romania

Project Locations:Kutaisi Batumi Telavi Constanta

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Project Partners:

Applying Romanian best practices to the Georgian reality

World Vision Romania

Romanian Youth organizations

Telavi, Batumi & Kutaisi Youth Centers

Children’s Federation of Georgia

Identifying local needs & contextualizing/ best practices

Fostering involvement of beneficiariesof both projects in cross-cutting activities

Goals of the Youth Civic Education and Community Participation Project The Youth Civic Education and Community Participation project aimed to promote responsible citizenship and community par-ticipation for youth in Georgia and Romania. The purpose of the project is to provide youth in both countries with an under-standing of a democratic society and the principles of civic participation and advocacy. The project was comprised of three objectives that lead to the main goal: 1) to enhance civic education and community devel-opment, 2) to incorporate advocacy methodologies into youth groups and 3) to connect youth to the Global Youth Network in both Georgia and Romania. The project educated youth about their rights and responsibilities utilizing CV&A (Citizen Voice and Action) methodology. CV&A aims to increase dialogue between ordinary citizens and organizations that provide public services and to improve ac-countability from the administrative and political sections of government (both national and local) in order to improve the deliv-ery of public services. The objective of CV & A is to empower communities to influence the quality, efficiency and accountability of public services.

Mariam Abuladze from Kutaisi Youth from Telavi Presentation at WV Constanta Office

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YCECP Met the Demands of Modern Youth Culture and Supported the Youth to become:

Active citizens Collaborators

Creators

Initiators

Leaders of tomorrow

Agents for Change

Youth of two countries get together

A girl from Romania

Meeting at Telavi YC

Silvia from ROM in Tbilisi

Target Group of the Project: 215 Youth (direct beneficiaries) of age 14-18, including 64 (29% of the project beneficiaries)

belonging to socially disadvantaged groups: 9 national minorities

3 internally displaced youth

14 socially vulnerable youth

5 youngsters living and working in the streets

28 children from remote villages

3 children living in Small Group Homes

3 children with disabilities

1 victim of trafficking

3 children in conflict with the law (on probation).

Gender Distribution: Girls-131 Boys-84

Manuchar from Batumi

At the training in Kutaisi

Arbi from Telavi SGH

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How did youth benefit from the project? Greater participation

Intercultural &

Global awareness

Improved civil Competences

Creativity

Communication skills

Teamwork

Self direction

Non-formal learning Learning to Learn

Conceptual learning Foreign languages

Critical thinking

Problem-solving

Geo and Rom youth in Bucharest at WVR ‘s office

The photo from the “Kids don’t get lost” project”

How did youth benefit from the project PARTNERSHIP? Due to the links with Romanian peers and meetings with different youth volunteer groups and initiatives, Georgian youth acquainted with the culture of

VOLUNTEERISM in Romania

Through the exchange program between two countries, common activities and Facebook page “Youth for Partnership, Georgian youth established

strong LINKS & NETWORKS with Romanian peers

Through the direct connection with youth initiative groups and civic society representatives in Romania, Georgian youth had an opportunity to learn

about the ROLE of CIVIL SOCIETY for the development of the country

Youth from both countries had an opportunity to MULTIPLIER their knowledge and become PEER

EDUCATORS

Due to conducting advocacy, community and youth initiatives, youth in Georgian and Romania became

INSTIGATORS of new initiatives and AGENTS for CHANGE in their communities

Youth developed LIFE SKILLS and acquired SOCIAL COMPETENCES

Through carrying out different activities and changing life for hundreds of children in a positive way,

YCECP beneficiaries became ROLE-MODELS for their peers

The partnership with Romanian peers facilitated to the ATTITUDINAL SHIFT and PERCEPTION

CHANGE among Georgian youth since they reassessed the idea of citizenship, advocacy and volunteer-

ism

Through carrying out cross-cutting activities, YCECP project beneficiaries BUILD BRIDGES with

OTHER PARTNERS— beneficiaries of Children's Federation of Georgia, Save the Children and PH

International

Youth from Georgia and Romania had an opportunity to learn about different ADVOCACY tools and

share them among each other (Georgian youth underwent “Citizen Voice & Action” as an advocacy tool,

while Romanians had trainings in Community Initiative.

“In order to protect yourself, you have to know well YOUR rights,” says Aslan that has been forced to plead guilty for the crime what he claims he did not commit. 3 boys in conflict with the law point out that after involvement in the Project they became more communicative, active and self-confident. They made lots of friends, transformed from “bad boys” into initiators and became more optimistic about their future. Nowadays, 3 boys that recently were considered to be “threatening” for the society change not only their lives for better but make the positive difference for other youth in their own community. An excerpt from the project story “Dispelling Stereotypes! - How “Bad Boys” Striving to Make People Better…”

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Establishing 3 Youth Councils and 3 Student Councils in Georgia

At the beginning of the YCECP project, a kick off meeting has been held between the local project partners. i.e. heads of Telavi, Kutaisi and Batumi Centers for Education, Development and Employment (hereinafter referred as “Youth Centers”). Also, special criteria have been determined for the selection of the beneficiaries of the project and project schools and applications have been completed to identify project beneficiaries. Student Councils in schools (Telavi Public School #9, Kutaisi Public School #17, Batumi Public School #7) and Youth Councils at Youth Cen-tres in Telavi, Batumi and Kutaisi (Georgia) were established. Three Youth Council Directors were elected via a secret ballot by youth in Georgia: Giorgi Mchedlishvili from Telavi, Salome Karchkhadze from Kutaisi and Nata Shainidze from Batumi.

At the kick-off meeting in Kutaisi Meeting in Batumi Youth Council Meeting in Telavi Youth Council

Establishing Youth Initiative Group in Constanta, Romania YIG TimeToAct with35 starting members were established in Constanta. The YIG includes:

24 teenagers (68%) come from rural communities (generally consid-ered more vulnerable and needing civil society enhancement and par-ticipation)

12 boys (35%) and 23 girls (65%) to encourage female participation in community and decision making;

Different ages and backgrounds (from 13 years old to 24) – promote diversity and integrity within the group;

5 children (15%) coming from disadvantaged group (raised in difficult family conditions).

Executive board comprised of 7 youth. “YIG is an initiative of young people from Constanta, not for profit, independent, educa-

tional, fully managed by young people and supported by the WORLD VISION Foundation in its activity. YIG is created within the framework of „Youth Civic Education and Commu-nity Participation project” funded by UNDP Georgia.

It consists of young people interested in involving in their communities, decision making, leadership and management and in addressing global, national and local issues, commit-ted to solvel them. YIG does not make distinctions of race, color, gender, religion, political convictions and ethnic background.”

Excerpt from ToR of the YIG

Electing YiG President in Constanta

Running election for YiG President

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Partners’ Visit to Georgia

On November, 2010, a local coordinator from Constanta and an advocacy focal point of World Vision Romania visited Georgia to participate in 3 day project planning meeting i.e. where all the details of the project were covered. Last days of the meeting was dedicated to visiting Telavi—one of the project cities, where project partners had a chance to see project area and meet with Youth Center staff and youth from Telavi. Based on this meeting, final project work plan was developed that served as a guiding document for both organizations during the project implementation. In addition, During partners’ visit to Georgia selection of materials (relevant for the Project in the context of Georgia) and their translations into Georgian have been ensured. Namely, the following materials have been translated into Georgian: “Advice for Lo-cal Councils on Creating a Youth Council,” “Methodological Guide Regarding Participatory Decision-making at Local Level,” A Guide for Creating a City Youth Council.”

Students from Telavi School #9 Students from Telavi School #9 Claudia Pedersen from WVR presenting on advocacy in Telavi

Youth Council Directors Travel to Romania for a Study Visit On December 12-16, 2010, a study visit of Youth Council Directors and the YCECP Project Manager was organized. This visit was of utmost importance for Georgian youth since they were able to learn about the culture of volunteerism and advocacy in Romania, different youth initiatives, governmental support to youth projects and the role of civil society for promoting youth initiatives and projects throughout the country. Several meetings have been ensured with NGOs, youth centers, volunteer groups, local authorities: County Institution for Sports and Youth Learning event - learning circle on youth civil society with youth organization – AIESEC Constanta Student Council representatives at “Traian” high school YIG members in Constanta, CENTRAS: The PALTIN Project Local Youth Council – Bucharest New Horizons Foundation: IMPACT Clubs Pro Democracy Association, Youth Bank Romania ARTFUSION Association, World Vision Romania.

“During my visit to Romania, it was really inspiring for me to find out so many people with over 5 years of volunteering experience. I wish Georgian youth got so many enthusiasm and determination.” Nata Shainidze Batumi YC president

A member of YC in Bucharest Georgian and Romanian peers making Xmas cards at WVR’s office

Meeting at Trian High School, Constanta

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Teaching ADVOCACY Tools

About 200 young people underwent TRAININGS in ADVOCACY methodology in their respective countries (CV & A in Georgia and Community Initiative in Romania)

Based on the knowledge acquired during advocacy training,

youth from Georgia and Romania had an opportunity to participate in ESSAY CONTEST for writing best ADVOCACY PROJECT

As the next stage of teaching youth advocacy tools, 3

young people from Romania and 3 young people from Georgia participated in an EXCHANGE PROGRAM on SHARING ADVOCACY PRACTICES and lessons learned. Romanian youngsters were introduced to the concept of CV&A and observe how young people work on the ground in Georgia to advocate for their problems and liaison with local municipalities. In addition, all members of Time2Act were connected to the Georgian youth reality through the experience shared by participants and were informed about CV&A , while 3 Georgian youth travelled to Con-stanta ADP to learn about the Community Initiative Group approached practiced there as a local level advocacy tool.

As the final stage, student/youth councils members estab-

lished local VOLUNTEER ADVOCACY PROJECTS in or-der to apply their knowledge and skills to their activities.

Trainings in ADVOCACY

Essay Contest in ADVOCACY

Sharing ADVOCACY

Practices

Implementing ADVOCACY

Projects

Essay Competition for the Selection of the Best ADVOCACY Proposal

In February-March 2011, essay contest (best advocacy proposal) has been held in order to identify participants within Student /Youth Councils and Youth Initiative Group to participate in advocacy exchange program. For the essay contest, selection criteria have been worked out. Also, Project template and project evaluation grid have been developed involving advocacy focal points at WVG and WVR. In Romania (Constanta) selection criteria for projects and participants were drafted and presented to youth, alongside with the project template, and they were discussed during trainings. Projects have been evaluated by a team of specialists/evaluators and advo-cacy focal points at WVG & WVR, while personal evaluations of participants were done by local program managers/coordinators. All in all, 16 project beneficiaries from Georgia and Romania submitted pro-ject proposals and six of them have been selected to participate in advocacy exchange program within the YCECP.

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Youth Council Directors Hold a Focus Group Discussion with their Respective Youth Councils

One of the major objectives of the project was the capacity building of youth and their empower-ment at the local level so that they become agents for change, peer educators and role models for their peers. To this end, the project encompassed many activities that enabled youth to be multipli-ers of their knowledge, including focus group discussions (FGDs) by youth councils’ directors. Having visited Romania, 3 Youth Councils’ directors in Telavi, Kutaisi and Batumi conducted FGDs for their peers (encompassing 85 % of youngsters in total). YCs directors presented and shared their experience acquired during the study visit in Romania.

Civic Education Curriculum In January 2011, Civic Education Curriculum has been developed including 8 modules. Curriculum has been translated into English. Human Rights Debate CV & A Leadership Introduction to Conflict Resolution Non-governmental Organizations Active Citizenship Volunteerism

Youth from Kutaisi

ToT in Batumi

Kutaisi School #17

Telavi School #9

Trainings in…

Public Defender

Leadership

Volunteerism

Social Media

Conflict resolution

Healthy Lifestyle

Debate

NGOs Role

Human Rights

Active Citizenship

Project Writing

The UN System

Overall, training cycle

involved 197

beneficiaries from

Georgia and Romania

Attending training in Kutaisi

“Time2Act” in Constanta

Meeting in Kutaisi School #17

ToT in Telavi Youth Council

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Trainings in CV & A and Community Initiative One of the major goals of the project was to educate youth about their rights and responsibilities utilizing CV&A (Citizen Voice and Action) methodology. CV&A aims to increase dialogue between ordinary citizens and organizations that provide public ser-vices and to improve accountability from the administrative and political sections of government (both national and local) in order to improve the delivery of public services.

2 day ToT trainings in CV & A as an advocacy methodology has been organized at WVG office in February, 2011, including 16 participants from Kutaisi, Telavi and Batumi, plus beneficiaries of the project “Greater Civic Engagement of Youth in Georgia” under Children’s Federation of Georgia. The main rational of ToT was to promote and sustain capacity building of youth at the local level. In addition, trainings in CV & A have been conducted by multiplier trainers in all 3 project sites—Batumi, Telavi and Kutaisi. Also, training in community initiative as an advocacy tool has been conducted in Constanta, Romania.

Overall, 168 youth attended trainings in CV & A and Community Initiative as

advocacy tools

ToT in CV & A as an advocacy tool A girl from Children’s Federation at ToT

Youth Multiplier Workshops for Students of Higher Educational Institutions

Another effort to multiplier acquired knowledge and promote capacity building among local

youth was youth multiplier workshop for students of HEIs.

Within the Youth Civic Education and Participation project, over 250 University students (about

100 in each targeted town) underwent 1-day workshop organized by Youth Council Directors

and peer educators.

All 3 cities – Batumi, Kutaisi and Telavi conducted multiplier workshops in their respective city

state universities (Batumi State University, Telavi State University and Kutaisi State University).

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Advocacy & Awareness Raising Campaign On May 31, over 200 youth of the YCECP have been engaged in an advocacy and awareness raising campaign for the World No Tobacco Day through which thousands of youth and children were informed about the risks of smoking. In addition to the YCECP cities (Telavi, Batumi, Kutaisi and Constanta), the event has been held in Zugdidi, Tbilisi, Tskal-tubo through partnership with Children’s Federation of Georgia (the project “Greater Civic Engagement of Youth”), Save the Children of Georgia (EU funded project “Regional

Children Action for Participation) and PH International. As a result, over 350 youth from 7 cities launched anti-tobacco campaign simultaneously at 3 GMT carrying out different activities related to the idea of the day (marching on the streets, wearing t-shirts, organizing theatrical performances and concerts, meeting with people, distribut-ing fliers, stickers, etc). The event was covered by local media.

Writing anti-smoking messages

In the yard of Kutaisi State University Marching in the streets of Batumi The concert in Batumi Boulevard

Substituting cigarettes with candies in Telavi

“Be Healthy!”, Kutaisi anti-smoking campaign

Student Councils Making the Difference for Children! Within the framework of the YCECP over 200 books have been collected from the commu-nity members and publishing houses. In addition, different gifts, including pens, pencils, post-ers, stickers have been collected from community members. As a result, Batumi and Telavi Youth Councils conducted a special event “I LOVE READING” for Batumi, Telavi and Akhmeta Small Group Home children. Representatives of the UNDP, World Vision Georgia, city municipalities have also attended the event together with the YCECP student and youth council members. The event aimed at ensuring community support for socially vulnerable children, providing children with books and gifts, express community and peer support to them and promote reading among children living in alternative care.

“I Love Reading” in Batumi SGH

With children of Batumi SGH

“I Love Reading” in Telavi SGH A child in Batumi SGH A boy from Batumi school #7 A child from a residential house in Bucharest

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One of the major activities of the Project was to ensure establishing local volunteer projects by youth council members. Engaging youth in various activities was a vital for youth to better share civic responsibility and participate in ongoing processes. The project ensured that youth are taken seriously by community leaders through collaboration with Youth Centres in targeted areas. Based on the competition for the best advocacy proposals, 3 selected pro-jects (one of each target cities in Georgia) have been funded and imple-mented by the youth: “Establishing Radio Transmitting Set at Kutaisi Public School #17” “Supporting Telavi Shelter for Elderly People” (Purchasing glucose meter and providing elderly people in the shelter with the information about diabetes) “Future for Future” (Advocating and raising public awareness on persons with disabilities

through different publications about the real stories of persons with disabilities).

Youth Volunteer Projects in Georgia

“You must be the change you wish to see in the WORLD!” (Gandhi)

Zaza talks about his project

Akaki is broadcasting for the school

Cover for Ana’s publication

“Time2Act” - Advocacy Youth Volunteer Projects

Based on the competition for the best advocacy proposals, 3 advocacy projects in Constanta have been implemented by the youth. “Children Don’t Get Lost, They Come to Radio Vacanta” (More than 20 youth were

involved in this summer project that aimed to increase awareness on trafficking in persons dur-ing summer holidays, especially children)

“Weekend Workshop/Atelier” (Over 100 children and youth were involved in activities that developed their creativity, communication and social skills. They learned how to interact with each other and how to do team work, and their relations with peers and parents im-proved)

“Discover the future, the school is your teacher” (20 youth from Cumpana schools were involved in this small project to raise awareness on importance of education and culture and were stimulated by cultural contests, quizzes and visits to museums to praise more on their education).

“The “Weekend Atelier” project intended to offer children and teenagers the opportunity to meet each other on the weekend and discover and develop through all kinds of artistic activities, their abilities, skills and talents.“

Silvia Boroslache from Romania

“Weekend workshop “Discover your future... “Children don’t get lost…”

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Other Youth Initiatives

Batumi, Kutaisi and Telavi Youth Councils’ members implemented several youth initiatives during the project. Specifically, Batumi YC held event at Batumi Public School #7 for children with disabilities. Telavi Public School No9 has decided to contribute to the welfare of civil society. To this end, they decided to construct a street cross at the nearby territory of the boarding school since there are many car accidents observed and beneficiaries of institutions might be exposed to danger. Prior, the youngsters conducted study, prepared materials and proposed it to the head of the city municipality. In addition, a special event on healthy lifestyle has been held in Telavi. Within the framework of the event, following activities were implemented: social questioning and study on youth’s attitude towards consequences of smoking, alcohol and drug addiction. Considering that civic education implies the teaching of constitution, basic principles of democracy, legal and politi-cal institutions, the development of democracy, the structure of political parties, the rights of citizens, and the de-velopment of democratic attitudes, skills and behaviour, “Time2Act” members from Constanta had the "lesson on democracy" at the House of Parliament in Bucharest, including information about the functioning of the Chamber of Deputies, the process of voting and representation, the role of deputies.

With a child from Batumi SGH

Visiting House of Parliament in Romania With socially vulnerable children in Bucharest Meeting with children with disabilities in Batumi

International Advocacy Exchange Visit 3 young people from Romania and 3 young people from Georgia participated in an exchange program on sharing best advocacy practices and lessons learned. On April, 2011, 3 Romanian youngsters have been introduced to the concept of CV & A and observed how young people work on the ground in Georgia to advocate for their problems and liaison with local municipalities. In addition, they had meetings with peers from the projects of the Save the Children Geor-gia, Children’s Federation of Georgia, Batumi and Kutaisi Youth Council members, members from Kutaisi School #17. They further had a meeting with the Head of General Education Development Division of the Ministry of Education, representative of Public Defender in Kutaisi and Teachers Association members. Furthermore, the exchange visit for Romanian youth including different cultural and social activities, includ-ing excursions, visiting museums, etc. On May, 2011, 3 Georgian youth travelled to Romania where they met with several youth groups, visited schools, met with Romanian peers from Youth Initiative Groups, learned about the Community Initiative as a local level advocacy tool. Also, they had different cultural and social activities, including visits to muse-ums, small group homes for socially vulnerable and homeless children. Upon their return to home coun-tries, each participants of the exchange program has written up reflection that are available to other youth and are posted on internet-based youth network.

Get together in Kutaisi School #17 Group photo in Constanta

Meeting at Children’s Federation Georgia

Youth from Romania at the MoES

Group photo at Batumi Art Museum

Visiting children in Bucharest

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Promotional Meetings & Media Releases In Constanta, 10 members of YIG participated in training planning and offered assistance in logistics, organization, ice-breakers, teasing and promotion to participate to trainings, establishing YIG identity - logo responsibilities were given to all members and were fol-lowed accordingly in the reporting period. Also, a case story was released at: http://meero.worldvision.org/news_article.php?newsID=2255. Information on activities implemented within the framework of the program was pub-lished at the websites of Kutaisi Education, Development and Employment Centre, www.kedec.ge, in the 6th edition of Kutaisi Youth Centre newsletter and the website of Kutaisi #17 Public School, www.17school.ge. Throughout February-March, 2011, Batumi Youth Center has held several meetings, in-cluding an official meeting with the editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Adjara” and mem-bers of Batumi self-government. In February, 2011, Telavi Youth Center members had a meeting with the representatives of procurator general. Also, they had outdoor movie-show on healthy lifestyle and con-ducted interviews among their peers about their attitudes to the use of drugs and alco-hol. 7 members of Kutaisi YC participated in Civic Forum that involved representatives of business sector, NGOs, local self-government, etc. Local coordinator in Constanta and one of the beneficiaries of the project were invited to participate in “Romanian Development Camp” supported by Ministry of Foreign Affairs to address topics of “Cooperation for development.” Through the participation in this interna-tional initiative, project best practices was promoted on international level.

Silvia presenting the Project at the conference

Poster for the Project “Children don’t get lost”

Proud to be awarded with the YCECP project Certificates, Constanta, Romania

Voices from the YOUTH!

As a result of the implementation of the project, hundreds of youth have been able to change their and others’ lives in a positive way. 5 case stories and 6 reflections have been written up to demonstrate and show the positive results of the YCECP project. Also, videos have been made with the interviews from youth to make their voices heard for others.

“It was wonderful in Georgia, though the schedule was very complex and we traveled hundreds of kilometers. I could see that we are different as culture but we are Christians too and their churches are really old and beautiful. The food was tasted and I had the opportunity to meet new people, ministers, to learn many interesting things… I was in haven for a week”, Marius concludes, speaking about how the project changes his life and spiritual horizon. “That project opened my mind and made me to want to know more about the world we live in, to visit different countries with different cultures and to be involved in other young people initiatives”. Marius, 19 years old boy from Cumpana

Marius & Alex from Romania in front of Svetitskhoveli, Mtskheta, Georgia

YCECP poster at Batumi Youth Center

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YOUTH CIVIC SUMMER CAMP

On 20-25th of August, 2011, Civic Summer Camp of the “Youth Civic Education and Community Participation Project” has brought 62 selected youth to Bakuriani, the southern resort town in Georgia, including IDPs, youth in conflict with the law, youth from Small Group Homes, a victim of trafficking, etc. The Camp has been built on the topic of the day: Human Rights, Diversity and Healthy Lifestyle. Trainers and guest speakers have been invited for each day to conduct 3 hours training session and discussion. The Camp encompassed sport activities, games, quizzes, concerts, movie sessions, nominations, auction and other extra curriculum activities. More importantly, in the Camp youth have had an opportunity for recreational activities, such as poster painting, design-ing globes and undertaking art sessions. Every day, each target city of the Project had “Lessons Learned” session to share their ex-perience with their peers. Also, the session “Discover Romania” has been held and special informational corner has been arranged. All youth of the Camp has been awarded with Certificates and prizes.

Facebook Based Page of the Project

Due to the direct support from the UNDP, method of internet-based youth network has been established. More specifically, Facebook page “Youth for Partnership” (http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/partnership.for.youth) has been set with an end to ensure the transparency and promotion of the “Youth Civic Education and Community Participation” project of World Vi-sion Georgia and the “Greater Civic Engagement of Youth” under Chil-dren’s Federation of Georgia. This internet-based network serves as information hub for young people across target cities of the projects. Facebook page “Youth for Partnership”

facilitates better communication and sharing of ideas among the beneficiaries of both projects. It also includes different on-going news and updates of the projects, photos, activities, events. The FB page is also linked to other youth networks and pages, such as European Youth parliament, Youth for Equality, Global Youth Network, Youth in Action, European Youth Forum.

“...Our visit to Constanta was coming to an end. Youth of both countries seemed sad to say goodbye. But we made a promise that our newly established friendship will continue through the online communication and that we wouldn’t lose each other.”

Akaki from Kutaisi

https://www.facebook.com/partnership.for.youth

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Contact

Address:

#18/17, Imedashvili Str., Tbilisi 0160

Phone: 2 15 75 15

Web-site:

http://meero.worldvision.org/index_country.php?countryID=11