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Description
The project ‘Empowering the Youth of Famagusta – Shaping Our Common Future’ or in short ‘emPOWER’ is organized by the ‘Peace and Friendship’ Athletic and Cultural Youth Club, Magusa Genclik Birligi Association and Famagusta Avenue Garage. The project officially commenced on the 15th of July 2022 and will run for 8 months, ending on the 14th of March 2023.
The three organizers, which are active organizations based in the Famagusta region, have joined forces and using a holistic approach have designed a project which aims to empower young people and equip them with a range of skills and experiences that can help their personal and professional development. The project is focused on three main pillars, the first is to raise awareness regarding prevalent issues in today’s context such as human rights and peace education as well as inter-communal dialogue in order to strengthen participation in democratic processes. The project’s second pillar involves enhancing the professional skills of young people in order to render them capable to face the challenges of the post-covid world. Lastly, the project is focused on providing experiences that will enrich the social skills of young people in a way that strengthens inclusivity and acceptance in an intercommunal society. Our main target groups are university students, high school students, young professionals and members of partner organizations. The main deliverables include a booklet about innovative ways of bicommunal cooperation and a guide for sustainable civil societies, awareness campaigns and trainings on various topics.
Summary of project results
The "Empowering the Youth of Famagusta – Shaping Our Common Future" project aimed to address key challenges related to youth civic engagement, intercommunal cooperation, and access to capacity-building opportunities in the Famagusta region. One of the main issues was the lack of opportunities for young people from Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot communities to interact and collaborate, limiting trust and cooperation between the two sides. To bridge this divide, the project created safe and inclusive spaces where young people could connect, share experiences, and work together toward a common vision for peace. Another significant challenge was the low participation of youth in civic activities, largely due to a lack of awareness and engagement opportunities. The project addressed this by organizing training sessions, workshops, and interactive events that encouraged young people to become active citizens. Additionally, the need for skills development among young people and members of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) was identified as a barrier to effective advocacy and community involvement. To tackle this, the project provided targeted capacity-building sessions, equipping participants with knowledge in areas such as advocacy, project management, and fundraising. Lastly, overcoming logistical barriers and reluctance to cross the divide was a key challenge. Many participants were hesitant to attend events on the other side of the island. To counter this, the project strategically hosted activities on both sides and provided transportation where possible, ensuring equal access for all.
The "Empowering the Youth of Famagusta – Shaping Our Common Future" project implemented a series of activities designed to enhance youth participation, strengthen intercommunal cooperation, and build capacity among young people and CSOs. The project launched a social media awareness campaign that reached over 65,680 people, promoting civic engagement and the role of civil society. Additionally, over 230 young people registered to receive project updates, demonstrating strong interest in the initiative.
To facilitate direct engagement, the project organized several info sessions at local high schools, universities, and community events, ensuring a wide reach. The first major events were two open discussions with local decision-makers in Deryneia and Famagusta, where young people had the opportunity to voice their concerns and propose solutions on issues affecting them. This was followed by the "Youth Needs in a Post-COVID World" workshop, attended by 30 participants, which focused on developing essential soft skills for the modern workforce.
The project also placed a strong emphasis on volunteering and civic engagement, hosting an event titled "The Fundamentals of Volunteering", where young people learned about the work of CSOs and the benefits of getting involved in community initiatives. One of the project’s highlights was a two-day youth camp in Pelendri, attended by 57 participants (exceeding the initial target of 50). The camp provided training on human rights, peace education, and innovative approaches to peacebuilding, encouraging participants to develop their own initiatives to foster cross-community cooperation.
Further strengthening the project''s impact, a capacity-building weekend took place in Kyrenia, bringing together 40 young CSO representatives to receive training in advocacy, team building, project management, and fundraising. The project also featured "Learning from an Experienced Panel", where participants gained insights from a three-year peacebuilding initiative.
Throughout its implementation, the project exceeded its targets in multiple areas, ensuring meaningful participation and lasting impact for the youth of Famagusta.
The "Empowering the Youth of Famagusta – Shaping Our Common Future" project had a profound impact on youth participation, intercommunal cooperation, and CSO capacity-building in the Famagusta region. The project successfully engaged over 400 young people aged 18-35 in various activities, fostering a culture of active citizenship and collaboration across the divide.
Through its social media awareness campaign, the project reached an impressive 65,680 people, significantly exceeding the initial target of 500. The initiative also built a strong network, with over 230 young people registering to receive updates and information on upcoming events.
In terms of civic education, the project trained 269 young people on civic and human rights, surpassing the target of 150. Additionally, the capacity-building activities exceeded expectations, with 138 CSO members and volunteers participating in training sessions focused on advocacy, leadership, and project management, well above the original goal of 50.
The project’s youth camps and weekend workshops played a key role in fostering intercommunal cooperation. The two-day camp in Pelendri, which hosted 57 participants, provided training on peace education and conflict resolution, while the capacity-building weekend in Kyrenia equipped 40 young CSO representatives with the skills needed to implement successful projects.
Beyond numbers, the project created a lasting impact by strengthening trust and collaboration between Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot youth. Many participants who attended the first camp later applied for the second, highlighting the success of the initiative in fostering long-term engagement. Additionally, the project produced a manual on Innovative Approaches to Peacebuilding, which will serve as a foundation for future initiatives aimed at promoting peace in Cyprus.
By empowering youth, fostering intercommunal dialogue, and building CSO capacity, the "Empowering the Youth of Famagusta" project has created a strong foundation for continued collaboration and civic engagement in the region.