Young people in Eastern Ukraine are motivated to participate in their communities’ life, but they often lack skills, time and supporters among peers and adults. Through its YOUNG CITIZENS project, Terre des hommes (Tdh) supports young people to be active in their communities by enhancing their interaction with stakeholders and decision-makers at local and regional level and by empowering them to lead their communication campaigns and collaborative initiatives.
What we do?
We increase the involvement of young people in social and political life.
We strive youth to:
- be aware of their rights and understood her role in the community
- know how it could affect the situation in the community
- participate in decision-making concerning her
- be active and participated in the activities of public organizations and local governments
- establish a dialogue with stakeholders and individuals to implement joint initiatives
How we do it?
- We conduct civic education trainings for teachers of educational institutions so that they can further pass on the knowledge gained to young people and inspire and motivate young people to be active and responsible citizens.
- We conduct trainings for active youth aged 16-24 "Youth participation in democratic governance: from theory to practice".
The training will teach young people about democratic governance, human rights, civil society and civic initiatives. When they return to their community, they will be able to develop action plans to address specific problems in their communities and receive funding for their project. - We are implementing the initiative Take over Day https://takeover.org.ua/, which is designed to give young people the opportunity to participate in decisions that affect them, to influence local and national policies. On Takeover Day professionals from different fields become mentors for children and show them how to practice their profession, involving them in their activities and advising them. For one day young people (students, vocational schools, students) change places with adults (organizations, institutions, structures) and have the opportunity to try on the role of a professional, look at decision-making processes "from within", and influence certain processes.
- Young people who took part in public activity trainings and Takeover Day will be supported in developing and conducting communication campaigns at the public level. Their initiatives will be aimed at improving the lives of young people in the community. Thanks to the project, young people will express themselves and influence change through works of art, social networks and video appeals.
The "YOUNG CITIZENS - Community engagement of young people" project is implemented by Terre des hommes in Ukraine as part of the United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) Democratic Governance East Activity.
