"""Youth Participation as a Pledge for Democracy"" Mobility of Youth Workers - partner countries Location: Estonia, Tartumaa Tervisespordikeskus near Elva Dates: 22.07.2018-30.07.2018 Number and profile of participants: 24 youth workers and leaders above 18 from non-governmental organizations from Estonia, Armenia, Georgia, Czech, ItalyContext/background of project: The idea of ""Youth Participation as a Pledge for Democracy"" has arisen during a youth exchange on gender equality in the frames of ERASMUS + programme in Armavir, Armenia. The representatives of Sustain Development Initiative (Armenia) and MTÜ Tartumaa Noortekogu (Estonia) were participating in the exchange and together has come with an idea to organize a training course in a field of youth participation, which is an important issue in both countries. So, a call for partnership was developed and shared it in online platform, as a result of which 3 NGOs also joined the project. This project arises from the need of filling the gaps in youth participation through capacity building of youth workers and leaders, as all the partners of the project believes that the role of non-governmental organizations is of great importance in this sphere, as they are one of the main pillars to work with young people and foster their participation and civic activism. Objectives of your project: The main goal of this project to build the capacities of youth workers and leaders on youth participation and active citizenship with further goal of fostering effective local level dialogue and advanced democracy. The objectives of the project are the following: 1.Improve knowledge and skills of youth workers/leaders on youth participation and active citizenship in order they become mentors in that field 2.Enhance the participants’ competences (knowledge, skills, attitudes) in fostering and empowering other young people in their communities/countries to participate in decision-making processes 3.Provide/practice facilitation skills, techniques and methodology for organizing local level dialogue forums and advocacy 4.Develop organization's skills to ensure sustainable and effective promotion on youth participation in their communities/countries 5.Facilitate networking and further co-operation between participants and their organizations for active citizenship and advanced democracy across EU member and neighbouring countries.Description of activities: The context of the activities is characterized by a type of program that is based on improvement of knowledge and skills of youth workers/leaders on youth participation and active citizenship on one hand, practicing facilitation skills, techniques and methodology for fostering and empowering other young people in their communities/countries to participate in decision-making processes, on the other hand.Working methods: There will be used group discussions, dialogue, debates, demonstration, presentation, interactive lectures, reflection, brainstorming, simulation, study visit, review. Open Space Technology will also be used during the training for giving participants an opportunity to self-facilitate and discuss issues of their choice. Utilizing of this method will giving them responsibility for creating both their own agenda and experience. It's important to mention, that the participants will mainly learn through practice, by getting more practical skills for facilitation, techniques and methodology, which they will be promoted to use at their organizations for organizing local level dialogue forums and advocacy. Results: The project is expected to impact on the participants, participating organisations and target groups, each one in its own way. The participants will improve their knowledge/skills on youth participation and active citizenship and become mentors in that field. They will enhance competences in fostering and empowering other young people in their communities/countries to participate in decision-making processes as a result of which their ideas and opinions will be raised. Passing professional growth will impact on their positive self-esteem and self-actualization. Participating organizations will have youth workers and leaders who are equipped with practical skills, techniques and methodology, which they can use to organize local level dialogue forums and advocacy on civic activism in their communities/countries. Effective youth participation can contribute to structuring programs, policies and services that affect young people’s lives to adequately address their needs/interests as well as benefiting and contributing to the organization's success. The project will impact on increased status and stature of young people (target group) who will get involved in civic activism. This will foster young people's participation in decision-making processes affecting target group's greater control over their lives, enhancing their sense of responsibility/ownership, feeling of being valued, which can contrib"