Young people from different regions strengthen their skills to be involved in policy-making processes.
On October 1-3, “Youth Participation in Policy-Making Processes” a three-day training was implemented in Dilijan by “Youth Cooperation Center of Dilijan” (YCCD) NGO, in the scope of program “DATA. Data for Accountable and Transparent Action”.
The aim of the training was to develop and strengthen abilities and skills in young people in public policy-making and decision-making processes. 28 young people participated from Gegharqunik, Tavush, Lori and Shirak regions and from DATA program partner organizations. The training was conducted by leading industry experts, Anna Yeghoyan, Zara Lavchyan, Gayane Vardanyan, Anna Ghorukhchyan and Miqayel Nahapetyan.
Practical and theoretical topics were referred to forms of youth participation, civic activism and advocacy, Participation in public policy development and decision-making processes, types and levels of decision-making, as well as, forms of developing enterprise groups and civic influence.
During those three days, participants, who have some experience in social-civic sphere, acquired necessary skills and knowledge in the field of advocacy on how to organize chronological steps, interaction with patrons, the involvement of youth in decision-making stages, publicizing community issues and public mobility and applying legal forms of civic influence on governing bodies.
One of the participants, Ernest, a sixteen year-old boy, mentions the following about the effectiveness of the training: «In the result of the training , I got acquainted to the techniques, which are necessary to provide youth participation in different levels of decision making, had an opportunity to develop and also apply the skills and abilities in this sphere in future».
A competition for small grant enterprises will be announced among the participants of the training and the best ideas will be funded. It should be mentioned that, as a result of the training an educational manual will be created on youth participation in policy-making processes including the above-mentioned topics. The participants also received certificates. A similar training will be launched for the youth of the southern regions of Armenia.
“DATA: Data for Accountable and Transparent Action” program is implemented with the support of DATA Consortium (Eurasia Partnership Foundation, SOCIES Expertise Center, Bun TV Foundation, Youth Cooperation Center of Dilijan NGO, SOSE Women’s Issues NGO) in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)).
