Projects Archives - Page 9 of 16 - Fellows eapcivilsociety.eu

Association of Culture

Fellowship Summary: To strengthen the networking of CSOs and activists in the cultural sector in Vinnytsia (Ukraine) through coordinated responses to the needs of IDPs, including displaced artists. Cultural activists will contribute to distributing emergency relief and address stress issues through cultural events and art therapy.

Bohdan Kutsenko’s fellowship project, Association of Culture, aimed to strengthen solidarity among cultural actors – artists, managers, and activists – during the ongoing war in Ukraine. The initiative was born from the need to address the humanitarian crisis by harnessing the power of culture to support displaced persons (IDPs) and promote solidarity within the cultural sector.

The project began by fostering cooperation among stakeholders in Vinnytsia, focusing on identifying the needs of local and displaced artists. This collaboration resulted in the creation of the Association of Culture (KUT), a platform for mobilizing artists and volunteers to provide direct aid to IDPs. The team developed a framework for action, which included the distribution of humanitarian aid, art therapy programs, and the organization of cultural events aimed at healing the community.

The second phase saw the legal registration of the association and the implementation of its action plan, which involved hosting public events, art exhibitions, and creative workshops. Through its initiatives, KUT offered psychological support via art and culture, helped integrate displaced artists into the local scene, and provided temporary accommodation to over 400 people.

Through social media campaigns, podcasts, and public engagements, the project raised awareness about the critical role of culture in times of crisis. Bohdan’s project not only helped sustain cultural identity in the face of war but also united artists and the wider community in a shared mission of resilience and recovery.

Country	Ukraine
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Youth Internal Mobility in Georgia

Fellowship Summary: Analysis of youth migration issues in regions of Georgia and facilitating fora for CSOs and local government to debate youth policies and mobility.

Implemented by Nino Jibuti, this Fellowship project focused on shedding light on the challenges of youth internal migration in Georgia. Through extensive research and engagement with youth, local governments, civil society organizations (CSOs), and experts, the project aimed to explore the root causes of internal migration and provide actionable recommendations to decision-makers for creating youth-centered policies.

At the heart of this project was the comprehensive report titled “Youth Internal Migration in Georgia through the Lens of Civic and Political Activism.” The report gathered the voices of over 80 young people from six different regions of Georgia, representing diverse perspectives on the factors driving internal migration and its impact on their lives. The research process also included 16 focus group discussions engaging over 80 participants aged 18–35, as well as interviews with over 100 individuals, including local government officials, CSO representatives, and public/private sector experts. The research was conducted in key cities across six regions: Batumi, Kutaisi, Mestia, Zugdidi, Gori, Rustavi, and Tbilisi.

This multi-stakeholder approach allowed the project to identify both the immediate and systemic issues leading to youth migration. Challenges ranged from economic opportunities and access to quality education to civic engagement and political activism in urban and rural areas. By centering the voices of youth, the research highlighted critical gaps in existing policies and infrastructure that contribute to the migration trends.

The project’s findings were compiled into a report that not only identifies these pressing issues but also provides actionable recommendations for local governments and Georgia’s Youth Agency. The Youth Agency, as a key policymaking body, has the authority to adopt these insights to create youth-centric policies at the national level, ensuring a more inclusive approach to addressing internal migration.

To maximize the impact of the findings, the report was presented to young people and key stakeholders, including local governments, CSOs, and the Youth Agency. These presentations sparked discussions about policy reform and the importance of engaging young people in shaping solutions to migration-related challenges.

By producing and disseminating this resource, Nino Jibuti’s fellowship project has created a valuable tool for advancing youth-focused policy development in Georgia. The report not only elevates the voices of young people but also provides a foundation for addressing the socio-economic and political issues driving internal migration, paving the way for a more inclusive and sustainable future for Georgia’s youth.

Country	Georgia
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Skills Gaps of Ukrainian Youth in the Digital Era: Through the Lens of the War in Ukraine

Fellowship Summary: Research and draft a report assessing skill gaps of young people in Ukraine in terms of their employability in post-war, and facilitate debate and awareness among CSOs/student groups to the findings.

Implemented by Hanna Harus, this Fellowship project tackled the pressing issue of youth unemployment in Ukraine, exacerbated by the ongoing war. The initiative focused on identifying the skills gaps that hinder Ukrainian youth in their job search and career development, both in Ukraine and abroad. With the support of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Fellowship Programme, Hanna conducted a comprehensive social survey to understand the obstacles faced by young people and provide actionable solutions.

The project began with a social survey designed by a professional sociologist, conducted between November and December 2022. A total of 391 respondents aged 18-29, hailing from diverse regions of Ukraine, participated. The survey assessed their levels of digital literacy, job search abilities, technical competencies, and soft skills, while also identifying systemic barriers such as sexism, ageism, lack of job-specific knowledge, and the war’s impact on employability. The survey was designed as an interactive test, allowing participants to evaluate their skills and receive personalized feedback. At the end of the survey, all participants received a checklist titled “How to Get a Job Without Experience,” equipping them with practical steps to enhance their employability. The survey also served as a platform for collecting qualitative insights on the challenges Ukrainian youth face, which included discrimination, misinformation about vacancies, and employers’ reluctance to hire individuals from war-affected areas.

Download the report “Skills Gaps of Ukrainian Youth in the Digital Era: Through the Lens of War in Ukraine” in Ukrainian.

Based on the survey findings, Hanna Harus collaborated with experts to create a series of infographics and training materials recommending the top skills required for employment and efficient ways to acquire them. To further engage participants, the project offered career consultations with Hanna Harus and Dr. Stephane Bordas, a globally renowned professor in computational mechanics and data science. A randomized lottery allowed two participants to win personalized consultations, while almost 300 survey respondents expressed interest in similar career guidance. During the consultations, participants received tailored advice on building their career strategy, enhancing their skills, and leveraging job experiences to advance professionally.

By leveraging the survey insights, expert consultations, and outreach campaigns, the project equipped Ukrainian youth with the tools to bridge their skills gaps and become more competitive in the modern job market. The fellowship’s outcomes—available online for a wide audience—offer sustainable guidance for career development, empowering young people to overcome challenges and build successful careers in a rapidly changing environment.

Country	Ukraine
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Risks and Opportunities: Towards a Better Understanding of Internet Voting in Moldova

Fellowship Summary: Facilitation of participatory analysis of risks and opportunities related to internet voting in the electoral, social and security context of Moldova, and sharing of international good practices.

Imagine having to travel to another city or country, wasting precious time – sometime days, and spending your own money just to be able to vote. Unfortunately, this is the reality of many Moldovans living abroad who want to have a say in elections. For Mihai Mogildea, EU-funded Eastern Partnership Civil Society Fellow, it was clear that given the generally low participation rates in Moldova, enabling those living abroad to vote will significantly improve the representativeness of results. Now those living abroad have to make significant efforts in order to be able to vote. They often must travel long distances at their own expenses to reach a voting poll which will most likely not be in their city of residence or even country of residence. They spend time and resources to make their voices heard.

Nevertheless, an encouraging number of 260,000 citizens from the diaspora voted in summer 2021 for the parliamentary elections, twice more than in 2016. The high turnout surprised everyone, including experienced electoral observers. This showed there is a huge participation potential in the diaspora that was not really understood and tapped into until recently. The elected Parliament promised they would do everything they can to improve the voting conditions for the diaspora – for which alternative voting methods are crucial. With the experience of the last elections in mind, Mihai believes now is a good moment to advocate for internet voting in the country. If the window of opportunity is missed and internet voting is not introduced within the next months, in 2024 and 2025 there will be no alternative methods for voting and the diaspora will again have to queue and travel hundreds of km just to vote.

In the summer of 2022, Mihai participated in a public consultation of the Parliament in which amendments to the electoral code proposed by Central Commission were being discussed. But alternative voting methods were missing. Mihai was quite disappointed to see these changes hadn’t been proposed, having participated in the Working Group of the Electoral Commission which developed the concept on internet voting in Moldova and which covered all the aspects of internet voting.

Nevertheless, his EaP Civil Society Fellowship project brought very concrete results. Among his recent achievements, Mihai counts the fact that, through his fellowship project, he was able to increase awareness and interest in the mass media, civil society, and the political class regarding internet voting. With the many threats of 2022 (the war in Ukraine, the cost-of-living crisis, the energy crisis) there was no interest to even discuss this publicly. In order to make the topic more prominent in public discourse, Mihai and his mentor, Victor Guzun – former Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to Estonia, approached TV and radio channels to cover the topic during five talk shows. They also approached different journalists who in turn approached different ministers and MPs to ask about any plans for internet voting.

During his fellowship, Mihai also worked closely with the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (bringing together 35 NGOs) as it was important to gain their support for internet voting as an alternative method. Within his fellowship project, he developed the only materials dedicated to internet voting in Moldova and managed to keep this issue on the agenda. The Central Electoral Commission is now working on piloting and testing internet voting which hopefully will lead to something more concrete soon. The legitimacy of the next Parliament in the diaspora depends on the successful organisation of the next elections. After having obtained the EU candidate status, Moldova needs to fulfil several conditions, one of them being the amendment of the electoral code and the reform of the electoral and legislative system.

Mihai perfectly understands that internet voting will not become a reality tomorrow, but the process is advancing. With a system that will hopefully soon be tested, piloted, and confirmed as a working alternative, the political actors opposing the change will have few arguments left.

As for the near future, Mihai plans to continue working on internet voting and the electoral process considering there will be local, presidential, and parliamentary elections in 2024 and 2025. He plans to be involved in the monitoring process and raising awareness, as well as promoting digital services in the country. Together with his mentor, he is planning to promote digital services at the regional level, making people aware of how important it is to have electronic signatures and hoping to increase the number of users of existing governmental platforms for digital services and digital transformation in Moldova. With more people using digital services and having e-signatures (around 3% of citizens have an e-signature), voting easily from any location in the world could become a reality.

Country	Moldova
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Fostering Democratic Citizenship in Georgia

Fellowship Summary: Promotion of democratic culture and citizenship to students through a series of dialogue activities, competitions and social media campaign.

Sandro embarked on a mission to ignite a passion for democracy and citizenship among Georgia’s youth. His project was centered on promoting the values of active citizenship and democratic engagement.

The key objective of his project was to encourage reflection on democracy and citizenship, advocating for a positive change in Georgia’s political culture. While changing political culture is a substantial task requiring both education and direct democratic participation over time, the project successfully sowed the seeds of change. Positive feedback and outreach indicate that it achieved its intended goals. Youngsters, although in limited numbers, have gained a deeper understanding of democracy and citizenship. Importantly, they have become advocates for change in political culture and democratic values, setting the stage for positive transformation in their local communities.

The cornerstone of this endeavor was the creation of a comprehensive report on the problems of political culture and citizenship in Georgia based on the public discussions focused on the merits of democracy and the citizens’ role in the democratization process. This report, which can be accessed here in Georgian, gives a general assessment of political culture in Georgia, and identifies key challenges and potential solutions, creating foundation for future discussion and research of the topic.

Sandro: “An important finding of the project was that if one aims to facilitate democratic values and ideas, the most effective way is when the beneficiaries themselves are directly engaged, rather than being just passive participants. For example, young people engaged with my project were given the opportunity to express their opinions via video, as well as through photos and essays. That is quite effective in terms of spreading message/values, as the participants themselves become advocates of the ideas, who have access to, and bigger trust within, their own communities.”

Country	Georgia
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Enhancing the Capacities of Local CSOs in the Youth and Women Needs Assessment Process

Fellowship Summary: The Fellowship project aims to increase the capacity of local CSOs to successfully identify, understand, and better tailor activities to address youth and women’s challenges, including mentoring on leadership skills.

The project was designed to empower local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in identifying and addressing the challenges faced by youth and women at the grassroots level. Implemented through a series of workshops, webinars, and mentoring sessions, the project aimed to equip CSOs with the necessary skills and knowledge to conduct effective needs assessments and develop tailored interventions.

The project began with a public call inviting CSOs to participate in workshops focused on needs assessment methodologies. Three workshops were conducted, bringing together a total of 45 participants, including CSO directors, project managers, volunteers, young people, and women from rural areas. These workshops provided a platform for participants to enhance their understanding of the challenges faced by youth and women and to learn best practices for needs assessment.

Additionally, the project selected 15 local NGOs from different regions of the country to receive mentoring support. These organizations were guided in conducting their own needs assessments, with a focus on identifying the specific needs of youth and women in their communities. The project also developed and distributed a supporting toolkit to assist these NGOs in their assessment process. To further extend the project’s reach, a webinar was organized, attracting 75 participants from various CSOs, youth centers, and women’s associations.

As a result of the project, CSOs have increased their confidence in assessing community needs and have become more engaged in communication with local public administrations. The project has also contributed to a more active approach in working with young people and women beneficiaries, ultimately enhancing the impact of CSOs in addressing the needs of these vulnerable groups.

Moving forward, the project’s impact is expected to be sustained through the dissemination of knowledge and skills gained by trained CSOs to their partners, as well as the continued use of the supporting toolkit for conducting effective needs assessments. The project has laid a foundation for CSOs to play a more proactive role in addressing the needs of youth and women, contributing to the overall development and well-being of their communities.

Country	Moldova
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Victory Gardens of Radomyshl hromada

Fellowship Summary: Mobilising community and local authorities to make a collective response to the war through environmental activism – public flower garden and vegetable growing.

In spring 2022, as uncertainty loomed across Ukraine, Olena and her team at the Charity Fund Radomyshl is our Home launched a powerful community initiative – Victory Gardens of Radomyshl Hromada. Implemented from May to October 2022, the project aimed to help residents and displaced individuals turn every available plot of land into a source of food, stability, and solidarity. “The idea was simple but powerful,” said Olena. “If each family could grow even a small garden, it would not only bring food to the table but also hope and a sense of agency during a time of crisis.”

The project reached 490 internally displaced people and low-income families – providing them with seed kits and access to land for cultivation. Residents quickly rallied behind the effort, transforming the initiative into a symbol of collective strength. To bring the community closer together, a large flower-planting event was organized at the heart of the town. Over 200 local residents – including children, teachers, community group members, and employees of local enterprises – gathered to plant 1,100 flowers in Cathedral Square and at the Glory Memorial. Children were also actively involved through a series of environmental master classes, where nearly 100 young participants between the ages of 6 and 14 learned about sustainable practices, nature, and gardening. These workshops gave children hands-on experiences while encouraging curiosity and connection to the environment.

Olena emphasized that the true success of the project lay in the community spirit it sparked: “People liked the project activities so much that they’re already asking if we’ll continue next year. I think what worked best was bringing people together around a common goal. We had a strong team of like-minded individuals and clear planning—right down to the packaging of seed kits and organizing the award ceremony.”

Beyond the immediate impact, the project also laid the foundation for future initiatives. New connections were formed with environmental organisations and local producers – at least five local manufacturers offered their support, helping streamline implementation.

Looking ahead, Olena is planning a School Garden project to involve children in agricultural activities and meaningful leisure time. She’s also committed to helping others access similar opportunities: “I’m currently organising informal meetings and trainings to help more active residents of my hometown take part in European programs. International support is more important than ever—for our communities and for every person in Ukraine.”

The Victory Gardens of Radomyshl Hromada became more than just a gardening effort—it was a movement rooted in resilience, cooperation, and a shared vision of recovery.

Country	Ukraine
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MEntor – Me as a mentor

Fellowship Summary: Based on international good practices, develop and deliver a Handbook for mentors of Erasmus and other international student exchange beneficiaries.

“I feel like I was born to volunteer!”, says Nensi Mkrtchyan as she explains about her first experience with European Volunteer Service (EVS) in Armenia. “It was a wonderful learning experience, meeting with young people from France, Spain, Italy…and it showed me that schemes like EVS demonstrate how united people can be without borders!”

After supporting EVS, Nensi learned all about the Erasmus+ programme and realised that Armenia would benefit from having a network that pooled the experience of Erasmus students. Thus, in 2021 the Erasmus Student Network in Armenia, founded by Nensi, was formally registered and joined the global ESN. In order to strengthen the work of the network Nensi wanted to build the capacity for mentoring among the students and therefore designed her Fellowship around the concept of ‘MEntor – Me as a Mentor’.

Through the Fellowship Nensi has been able to research successful mentoring schemes of ESN Croatia and others, and develop Armenia’s first ever bi-lingual handbook on mentoring. She has also created a cluster of young mentors within ESN Armenia and supported them through the delivery of a training on how to mentor effectively. “I want the ESN members to use mentoring as a tool for personal development, given that the relationship and sharing between mentor and mentee is equally rewarding for both”.

The highlight of Nensi’s Fellowship has undoubtedly been her project’s final event at which the handbook on mentoring was formally launched in the company of the ESN members, the EU Delegation in Yerevan, and other volunteer-focused stakeholders. The event also coincided with ESN Armenia’s 1^st anniversary, so the Fellowship ended with a birthday cake!

Nensi is currently enrolled in an Advanced Master’s programme of European Interdisciplinary Studies at the College of Europe in Natolin (Poland), but is clear that her future lies with contributing to the development of Armenia. “I envisage that I will always be occupied with activities that are non-profit and public service oriented, and would like to do as much as possible to help Armenia get closer to the values and opportunities of the EU”.

If you want to know more about the results of Nensi’s Fellowship project, please download her latest publications. The purpose of the “Guide for Mentors of International Volunteers and Students” is to collect best practices and assist mentors in their mentoring experience while hosting international volunteers and students in their local university, organisation and community in general.

Country	Armenia
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Protection of Child Victims Rights in Georgia

Fellowship Summary: Researching, drafting, and promoting a policy document and roadmap for stakeholders engaged in protection of the rights of child victims in Georgia.

Lado Javakhishvili is a lawyer by training and has spent nearly 10 years in public service working within the Georgian justice system. Up until the end of 2021 Lado served as the Deputy Director at the National Agency for Crime Prevention, under the Ministry of Justice, but with a growing desire to contribute to restorative justice and support of juvenile justice beyond the political constraints of working for government, Lado moved his career into civil society. He founded the Institute for Democracy and Justice in Tbilisi and launched his civic activism with a Fellowship project focused on the protection of the rights of children who are victims of crime.

“Juveniles are some of the most vulnerable of citizens when they become the victims of crime and in Georgia, although there is some State provision for services for juveniles who commit crimes, for juvenile victims there is almost nothing. So, I wanted to use my fellowship to raise awareness to this issue.”

During 2022 Lado has researched and developed a policy document and roadmap to help steer stakeholders responsible for the protection of rights of child victims in Georgia. As part of the research Lado looked at good practices in other countries and as a benefit of the Fellowship was able to participate in an international conference in Italy on ‘Justice Beyond the Borders’ organized by European Forum for Restorative Justice.

“Participating in the conference was probably the most satisfying and enjoyable part of my fellowship, as like so many others, it was my first chance since the Covid pandemic to actually sit down face-to-face with my peers to learn and share ideas. There was one particular session, led by a legal professional from Brazil, which I found truly inspirational.”

In addition to the policy paper, Lado has successfully led an awareness-raising campaign, using a series of digital posters on social media to highlight the plight of juvenile victims of crime and promote the need to protect their rights. “I expect the future beneficiaries of my fellowship will be the 1000 or so juveniles who are victims of crime in Georgia every year”.

Lado has not only kick-started his civic activism through his Fellowship, but it has also facilitated him to extend his networking, with an additional role as an Observer to the EaP Civil Society Forum in Prague at the end of 2022.

“This is a great opportunity and I know that when I look back on my civic advocacy I’ll see that it all started with the Fellowship.”

Country	Georgia
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‘City Dream’: a crowdsourcing platform for local communities

Fellowship Summary: Development and launch of a ‘City Dream’ digital platform that facilitates more participatory local planning in the Cherkasy region of Ukraine.

Denys Andrushchenko’s City Dream Platform is a crowdsourcing initiative in Ukraine, serving as an effective communication tool between businesses, local government, and community residents. Launched in April 2023, the platform empowers active residents to highlight critical community issues through social projects, fostering collaboration among stakeholders to address these challenges by inviting them to join the project and contribute their resources. This approach has already yielded tangible results, with success stories inspiring greater civic engagement and citizenship.

The City Dream Platform has not only initiated impactful campaigns but has also received acclaim from volunteers and activists in Cherkasy. The platform’s success lies in its ability to bridge gaps and stimulate solidarity among diverse groups.

Through the City Dream Platform, Denys has sparked a seed of change, inspiring active citizens to persist in working with public servants and holding them accountable. Despite challenges, including the impact of war on Ukraine and its people, Denys remains committed to promoting the City Dream platform and the crowdsourcing approach.

Country	Ukraine
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