Description
In Romania, young people represent one of the most disadvantaged groups in terms of access to employment. At the local level there is no alternative to involvement and adequate spaces for leisure. The main objective of the project is to strengthen the basis of volunteers and to encourage participation in the initiation and development of local youth policy. Establishment of Youth Resource Center (CERT) creates a sustainable structure in order to develop those initiatives meant to facilitate active citizenship and responsible involvement of young people in community life. The project increases the number of opportunities for youth involvement and creates the development of coalitions and partnerships to set up the CERT (Coaching for Efficiency of Schools Youth Networks) means of expanding cooperation and exchange of experience at regional and national level. 130 volunteers are the direct beneficiaries of the project, namely students and young people who take part in the development of an initiative model for community and perform a very useful learning exercise for their civic and professional training as well.
Summary of project results
The main aim of the project was to develop the volunteers’ database, by encouraging the participation and setting the context for promoting policies for youth. It is the first project aiming at developing infrastructure for youth and volunteering in Buhusi, by establishing the local Centre of Resources for Youth (CERT). After the end of the project, the centre provides good working conditions for the members, the volunteers and the youth from the community, which also allows a larger involvement of the community. The first activities of the project aimed at renewing, extending and equipping the headquarters of the organisation for a proper functioning of the centre. The main activities carried out for the promotion of volunteering and active citizenship were: 12 thematic workshops on the topic of active citizenship; 5 informative sessions; 3 debate sessions; 6 focus groups; a survey; a craftsmanship workshop ("The House of the soul"); a counselling and mediation club. The promotion of the centre in the community, made through a series of events (such as: Star(T) at NGO power – 4 training modules for volunteers; NGO driving licence – 2 learning thematic tours; a Civic Participation Fair) ensured the dissemination of the project as well as new abilities for volunteers. A report summarising the results of a research conducted during the project ("The CERT Model - Strategy for Voluntary Youth Education and Active Citizenship") was published in a bilingual version (Romanian and English). The publication was promoted and disseminated in Romania and Norway and will continue to serve as a public policy tool. Also, the CERT Network was established. It comprises 25 local NGOs, which are interested in volunteering activities. The network's activities continue to be focused on promoting community volunteering and active citizenship. Also, during the project, the promoter extended its cooperation with schools from the community and with the local authorities. Partnerships were signed with Buhuși City Hall, Betania Association Bacau, Children's Palace Bacau, Change the World Association Norway and others. The project is very important for the community and has the potential of generating long-lasting impact. The beneficiaries have emphasized these aspects and also the fact that the functioning of the centre will solve several specific problems of the young people from the community.
Summary of bilateral results