"YOU(th) Voice Matters": A space of empowerment, cultural exchange, and networking

Youth exchange "YOU(th) Voice Matters" in the framework of a long-term "Strengthening Capacities of Young Leaders and Youth Organisations for Meaningful Community Participation" - CYMECOP capacity-building project has become a space of empowerment, cultural exchange, and networking for 40 young leaders from four European countries!

On September 17-25 the long-awaited youth exchange was implemented in Kyiv region. The seven-day activity was aimed at enhancing in the long term the civic competencies, sense of initiative, and active citizenship of 40 young people from Armenia, Moldova, Ukraine, and Portugal.

The youth exchange was facilitated by participants themselves, who shared their experience of volunteering and local youth participation. Through peer-to-peer learning, exchanging ideas, and identifying best practices, the young participants were developing sustainable mechanisms of youth participation in the social and political life of rural communities.

After the youth exchange, the participants will continue working on promoting youth participation in their communities by implementing policy interventions plans to better address the needs of youth.

Here is what some of the Armenian participants say about the youth exchange.

Manush Charchyan

"This was my first Erasmus+ youth exchange, and I am satisfied with every detail. This program gave me the opportunity to think more broadly, generate ideas in minutes, take the lead when needed. I made friends, made a lot of connections, which I am sure will only help me in case of various problems in the future. For me, a person must have two important things to overcome obstacles: the first is friends and the second is knowledge. I received both of these during this project, for which I thank all the organizers".

Mamiko Kirakosyan

" As part of the program, most importantly, I was able to improve my English. Due to the non-formal learning environment, I developed my soft skills, which are important for the future. I thank FYCA for such an opportunity because the program had a really good impact on each of us. I made many good friends with whom I was going to keep in touch for a long time".

Artyom Barseghyan

"We had the opportunity to present the problems of our communities, presented the problems that arose and were already solved in our communities, gave advice based on our experiences. This youth exchange was my first one and it was full of exciting adventures, interests, and knowledge. It was really useful and important for me. In those days I improved 3 strong skills such as time management, public speaking, teamwork. Thanks to the program, I made many good friends from different countries".