The regional youth conference “Reclaiming Civic Space: Regional Youth Conference for Democratic Action” held in Yerevan on December 13–14, became a bridge bringing together around 50 young leaders from Armenia and Georgia, as well as representatives of government institutions, civil society, and international organizations.
The conference, held under the title “Reclaiming Civic Space: Regional Youth Conference for Democratic Action,” was implemented through the cooperation of the OxYGen Foundation and the Gori Youth Center (Georgia) within the framework of the project “Empowering Youth for Democracy in Armenia and Georgia,” with the support of the New Democracy Fund.
During the event, youth initiatives implemented within the framework of the project were presented, engaging more than 200 young people and fostering their involvement and civic activism. Participants showcased innovative tools applied in their initiatives from theatrical and game-based formats to community participation mechanisms which supported the development of young people’s skills and participation at the local level.
The conference also featured practical discussions, during which participants jointly analyses limitations to civic participation, regional trends, and development opportunities. The recommendations collected as a result of these discussions will be incorporated into a policy document reflecting young people’s positions on structural, legal, social, and cooperation-related issues.
At the same time, youth groups from Armenia and Georgia presented their vision for future cooperation, advocacy initiatives, and the strengthening of a bilateral youth network.
“This conference was an important step toward expanding youth cooperation and impact. Young people in Armenia and Georgia share common challenges, and this platform provided an opportunity to jointly develop solutions and move forward in a more solid and coordinated way,” emphasised Margarita Hakobyan, Executive Director of the OxYGen Foundation, during the conference.
The importance of democracy and the role of youth was also highlighted by Anders Trelborg, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Denmark in Georgia and Armenia, who noted:
“Democracy requires constant renewal, and youth is often the engine. Youth bring new ideas, new forms of activism, new technologies, and the energy needed to challenge the status quo and build the future that will ultimately be theirs.”
As a result of the conference, the developed policy recommendations and advocacy action plan will soon be presented to the relevant authorities, contributing to the strengthening of youth civic participation in both countries.