More information
Description
The project “FOR: future create now” will aim to promote active citizenship among young people by contributing to the formulation of public policies on gender equality.
The following problems will be addressed:
1. Low awareness of the importance of gender equality among Lithuanian youth, especially in the regions, and low youth participation in the formulation and implementation of equality policy between women and men hinder the development of society and democracy.
2. Insufficient involvement of NGOs and lack of instruments to promote young people''s active citizenship on gender equality issues, such as public campaigns based on research, facts or international documents, underdeveloped mechanisms for civic control of political parties, and especially at the municipal level.
The aim of the project is to promote young people''s active citizenship and increase the sustainability of NGOs by strengthening the capacity of young people to participate in the formulation of public policy on gender equality.
Target groups are young people (14-29 years old); representatives of organizations working with young people; representatives of NGOs working in the field of gender equality (members of LWLO); the general public.
The project contributes to the objectives and results of the ACF. The implemented activities will:
- strengthen civic education and encourage more active participation of young people in civic activities;
- strengthen the capacity of NGOs (members of the LWLO) to promote young people''s citizenship in the field of gender equality, to involve young people in the formulation of policies for monitoring equality between women and men and to monitor the implementation of these policies;
- lay the foundations for cooperation between NGOs (members of the LWLO) and youth organizations in promoting youth citizenship in the field of gender equality;
- raise awareness of civil rights, active citizenship, problems of gender inequalities and means of addressing them.
Summary of project results
The project “FOR: future create now” was promote active citizenship among young people by contributing to the formulation of public policies on gender equality.The following problems was addressed:
1. Low awareness of the importance of gender equality among Lithuanian youth, especially in the regions, and low youth participation in the formulation and implementation of equality policy between women and men hinder the development of society and democracy.
2. Insufficient involvement of NGOs and lack of instruments to promote young people''s active citizenship on gender equality issues, such as public campaigns based on research, facts or international documents, underdeveloped mechanisms for civic control of political parties, and especially at the municipal level.
An innovative digital educational tool has been developed that not only raises young people''s awareness of gender equality, but also serves as a reference material to educate young people about citizenship in a way that appeals to them. In total, 85 young people took part in the activity. A cartoon "Gender Balance in Politics" was produced to encourage young people to become more active, aware and responsible in the elections and to get involved in gender equality policy-making. Ten young active girls from different municipalities were more actively involved in political life and encouraged to get involved in the development and implementation of gender equality policies.
During the dialogical training “FOR: future create now”, representatives of youth organisations were introduced to ways and methods of developing young people''s critical thinking, which helps them to engage more actively in dialogues, debates on decision-making and social action in the public interest. The total number of participants was 66.
The programmes of 3 political parties were analysed from the perspective of gender equality and educational material for a youth seminar-discussion was prepared on the basis of concrete examples.
The project partner organisations/members signed 5 cooperation agreements with youth organisations:
Social campaigns contributed to raising awareness among members of the public, especially young people, about civic initiatives, civil rights and activities to strengthen direct democracy. Awareness of gender inequality issues and solutions and of the CEDAW Convention and its recommendations to Lithuania increased. The EEA Financial Mechanism''s APF programme was publicised.
The project resulted in the creation of 2 digital tools - a quiz/brainstorming game "For a gender-equal future for young people" and an animated video "Gender Balance in Politics" - which gave the project sustainability. The project activities aimed to raise awareness of gender equality among young people by encouraging them to become more involved in civic activities. Strengthen cooperation between LMLO members and youth organisations. The young people involved in the project broadened their knowledge on citizenship. Their motivation and innovative, independent thinking about gender equality, public life in the country or about the state and its government itself was encouraged. 10 young active girls were involved in political activities. Increased sustainability of LMLO members, strengthened capacities will activate young people to participate in gender equality policy making and implementation. Representatives of youth work organisations increased their knowledge on how to empower young people to participate in political, civic and public life, to build positive relationships with young people, to help them formulate their interests, to teach them how to express and represent them, and to develop civic attitudes. The partner brought different resources and perspectives to the project, which made it more diverse and multifaceted. We consider the cooperation with the partner to be effective and successful and believe that it has contributed to the achievement of the project''s intended results.