As part of its youth integration activities, EPF’s project Increasing Youth Engagement in Political Processes in Georgia is providing opportunities to local youth initiative groups in 7 municipalities of Georgia to (1) develop skills to serve as agents of social transformation, (2) gain experience in awarding grants in a fair and transparent manner, and (3) implement voter education projects targeting first-time voters in their respective communities. The project was implemented through EPF’s Youth Bank (YB) program, which encourages young people aged 16 to 21 to increase opportunities for volunteerism and civic activism among other youth in their respective communities. To promote youth engagement in political processes, Youth Bank committees, comprised of young local volunteers trained by EPF on YB methodology, first conducted needs assessments to determine the most salient voter education and elections related issues that are facing each community. They then issued a request for proposals for youth-led initiatives that addressed the challenges identified in the needs assessments. As a result, EPF Youth Banks funded twenty eight youth-led initiatives prior to May 2010 elections, most designed to increase first-time voters’ awareness of their electoral rights and responsibilities. Several such projects were implemented in Aspindza, making a difference in the lives of the grantees, fellow youth, and their communities at large.
When Teona 20, published a self-designed pamphlet Come to the Elections, she did not expect she would encounter problems when she would distribute it to her fellow Aspindza residents. However, as soon as she began to engage the public about the importance of each casted ballot, she was given the cold shoulder, as most thought she was representing one of the political parties taking part in the elections. Teona’s persistent explanation of the project she was implementing paid off and people realized that she was a civic minded youngster, who cared for her community. As a result, Aspindza residents began reading the pamphlet, which among other things provided historical examples, where one vote had decided the fate of various nations and state leaders. Teona adapted this section of the pamphlet from materials developed by ISFED and delivered during the YB training. Based on the project follow up interviews, the pamphlet led to increased public awareness of electoral rights and responsibilities in Aspindza and prompted some disillusioned citizens to exercise their electoral rights. The project empowered Teona to engage in her community, which she plans to continue in the future. Teona’s actions, much like those of her fellow youth bankers, have earned the Youth Bank program many supporters, including the Head of Aspindza Civil Registry, who not only facilitated the distribution of pamphlets, but also became a staunch supporter of Aspindza Youth Bank.
This and other youth-led initiatives funded by Georgia Youth Banks educated young citizens on the principles of active citizenship and increased the interest of first-time voters to participate in May 2010 local elections.
Friday, 11 May 2012
Thursday, 26 April 2012
Eurasia Partnership Foundation is announcing a competition for students on the use of the data from the recent survey by EPF’s Caucasus Research Resource Center – Knowledge and Attitudes toward the European Union in Georgia in their works. To provide guidance, a three-day training course is offered to the potential applicants free of charge on interpreting and presenting data of the quantitative social research. Full text of the announcement is available only in Georgian.
Thursday, 26 April 2012
Eurasia Partnership Foundation is announcing a competition for journalists on the use of the data from the recent survey by EPF’s Caucasus Research Resource Center – Knowledge and Attitudes toward the European Union in Georgia. To provide guidance, a two-day training course is offered to the potential applicants free of charge on interpreting and presenting data of the quantitative social research. Full text of the announcement is available only in Georgian.
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