Youth for Democracy and Human Rights in the Republic of Moldova
This project focuses on empowering young people to actively engage in decision-making processes and youth work, strengthening their capacity to promote democracy and human rights, to shape, in this way, the future of the Republic of Moldova.
To achieve these goals, the project will assist both governmental and non-governmental partners in addressing the specific needs of Moldova’s youth, particularly in the context of high emigration and brain drain. Additionally, it seeks to leverage the opportunities presented by Republic of Moldova’s EU accession process by integrating youth perspectives into national policies. The project also supports youth centers as key platforms for civic engagement and democratic participation.
Central to the project are support measures and capacity-building activities for youth policy stakeholders, youth leaders, and youth workers, to improve democratic youth participation and value-based youth work, as outlined in the Reykjavik Summit's priorities, particularly the Reykjavik Principles for Democracy.
To achieve these goals, the project also engages youth policy stakeholders and youth work providers in Moldova in the dissemination and implementation of the Committee of Ministers (CM) recommendations on access to rights for young people (CM(2016)7), youth work (CM(2017)3), access of young people from disadvantaged neighborhoods to social rights (CM (2015)3), protecting youth, civil society, and young people and supporting their participation in democratic processes (CM(2022)6), Roma youth participation (CM (2023)4), and on the participation of young people in local and regional life Rec(2004)13.
Funding: The total project budget is EUR 1.000.000
Duration of the project: 1 September 2025 - 31 December 2028
What is the goal and objective of the project?
Increasing the capacity of youth civil society to advance participatory democracy and democratic citizenship within and beyond their memberships.
- Conducting governance and policy processes in a meaningful, participatory manner, involving diverse groups of young people and their representatives/organisations;
- Enhancing capacity of youth leaders to act as multipliers, including in dialogue and confidence-building initiatives, through participation in the Youth Peace Camp or other activities organized in the European Youth Centre as a neutral space, and in co-ordination with national partners.
- Setting out youth work as one of its priorities, with focus on: strengthening, recognising and advancing youth work policies and practices by embedding youth work within youth policy frameworks, improving the quality of youth work delivered by both volunteer and paid youth workers, and extending the access and attractiveness of youth work and non-formal education/learning for the benefit of wider populations of young people
- Strengthening capacity of relevant stakeholders from both sides of the Nistru River, identified in co-ordination with national authorities, including the Bureau of Reintegration Policies, to provide democratic citizenship and human rights education to young people.
Who benefits from the project?
- Ministry of Education and Research,
- National Agency for the Development of Programmes and Activities for Youth,
- National Youth Council of Moldova
- Young people from the Republic of Moldova.
How does the action work?
- Training & Workshops: The project will offer a variety of educational sessions, including training for youth multipliers on democratic participation and human rights education, as well as workshops for policymakers and civil servants on participatory youth policy and youth work.
- Study Visits & Exchange: A study visit to the Council of Europe will be organized for youth stakeholders, providing them with valuable insights into international standards and practices. Additionally, representatives from Moldovan youth centres will participate in study visits to Quality Label youth centres to learn from best practices.
- Stakeholder Engagement: A key component of the project will be fostering dialogue among diverse stakeholders, through dialogue platforms, round tables, and workshops that explore the youth perspective on current policies and issues.
- Expert Support: Experts will assist in the development and drafting of comprehensive youth policies, ensuring that they align with the principles outlined in the Council of Europe’s Charter on Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights Education.
