GEYC has been actively involved in supporting local communities in Romania, running projects aimed at encouraging youth involvement in civic life and creating a positive local impact. Whether in Câmpina, Dorohoi, Mangalia, or Lugoj, GEYC has initiated grassroots-level interventions to inspire young people to become more active, aware of their potential, and engaged in shaping the future.

Câmpina, Mangalia, Dorohoi, and Lugoj, though distinct in culture and geography, share several core characteristics and challenges when it comes to youth development:

1	These small to mid-sized cities (20-50k inhabitants) often face limited local opportunities for education, employment, and civic engagement, leading many young people to seek better prospects in nearby larger cities or even abroad.
2	Youth migration has become a recurring trend, with young people moving to urban centers for access to universities, diverse job markets, and more vibrant social and cultural scenes.
3	The lack of dedicated youth spaces and resources that could support personal and professional growth within these communities.
4	Local authorities are frequently under-resourced or less focused on creating structured opportunities for youth involvement, which can leave young people feeling disconnected from their hometowns and uncertain about their roles within the community.

Through its work in each of these cities, GEYC has sought to bridge these gaps, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment by introducing accessible programs tailored to the unique needs of each community. Whether by promoting local civic engagement, advocating for youth spaces, enhancing digital literacy, or making STEAM education more appealing, GEYC’s initiatives have aimed to create sustainable opportunities that help retain young talent, inspire community pride, and connect these smaller cities to broader European networks and resources.

Objectives of the local interventions

In local communities, GEYC works through leadership, communication, and volunteer projects, all focused on addressing real issues. Each town brings its unique characteristics, so local involvement becomes a way to tailor these interventions to the young people who need guidance and inspiration.

Through these interventions, GEYC aims to:

1	Create a strong civic spirit: Young people are encouraged to actively engage in their communities and take on leadership roles.
2	Develop social and professional skills: Projects give young people access to training and workshops to build their communication, teamwork, and planning skills.
3	Enhance access to development opportunities: Each project provides a chance for young people to connect to a larger network of resources and opportunities, whether local or international.

Supported by the European Youth programmes, Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps, we have managed to develop the skills of young people, teachers and youth workers, empowering them as active actors of changemaking.

Câmpina, Prahova County

The partnership between GEYC and the city of Câmpina, established through the collaboration protocol "Pentru Câmpina Europeană", has been a longstanding commitment to youth development. Since 2021, this initiative has fostered projects across education, environment, culture, and social engagement. Over the next four years, GEYC deepened this partnership through various strategic activities designed to encourage international exposure, local youth participation, and sustainable community growth.

International volunteering opportunities: A core aspect of the plan was to host international volunteers in Câmpina and send local youth to European volunteer projects. These initiatives focused on educational and environmental activities that empowered youth and raised civic awareness.
Implementing a local youth strategy: A structured youth strategy was developed through a structured dialogue process, connecting young people and local authorities to shape policies and programs relevant to youth needs and aspirations.
Hosting youth, educational, and exchange activities: The partnership included a range of activities, from youth workshops to cultural exchanges, hosted directly in Câmpina, allowing local youth to gain knowledge, build skills, and expand their networks.
Access to GEYC's Community and resources: Câmpina’s youth, educators, and youth workers had access to GEYC's personal and professional development activities, bridging local needs with broader resources and international opportunities.
Entrepreneurship programs: GEYC focused on the entrepreneurial growth of Câmpina, offering training and experience exchange programs that addressed local needs and emphasized digital entrepreneurship. These initiatives helped young people develop business skills and engage in community-driven economic activities.

The emPOWER YOUth initiative under the "Pentru Câmpina Europeană" protocol, funded by the program "THE:PLACE – Turkey Hand in hand with Europe: Programme for Local Authorities and Civil Society Exchange", addressed the low engagement of youth in local decision-making processes. Implemented by GEYC in partnership with the Development Workshop in Ankara, this project empowered young people to contribute to decisions impacting their communities and explore future-building in the 21st century.

Project objective: The aim was to enable young people to actively participate in city-related decision-making, enhance critical thinking through experiential learning about their city, and strengthen local administrations’ capacity to involve young people meaningfully.

Ambassador program: Ten young ambassadors from Câmpina engaged for 12 months in various activities that strengthened their critical thinking and advocacy skills, including capacity-building workshops, a study visit to Ankara, regular dialogues with local authorities in Câmpina, and collaborative work on the city’s youth strategy.

The project followed a multi-stage approach to youth empowerment, where both young people and local authorities participated collaboratively:

Youth Empowerment Phase: Twenty selected young people participated in an intensive workshop to gain skills in democracy, participation, activism, research, and social media communication, preparing them for future project stages.
Community Needs Assessment: Conducted over seven months, this research phase involved focus groups, interviews with residents, consultations in all city schools, and surveys on education, employment, environment, and social issues. The 20 youth ambassadors led this effort to understand and represent diverse perspectives.
Meetings with Local Authorities: Throughout the project, periodic meetings with local authorities kept them updated on findings and facilitated synergies for the future youth strategy.
Developing the Youth Strategy: Based on collected data and insights from consultations, a dedicated team of youth and experts collaboratively created a comprehensive youth strategy. This document outlined the mission, beneficiaries, local and international context, methodology, results analysis, objectives, actionable steps, policy recommendations, and potential funding sources.
Municipal Adoption: The completed youth strategy was formally presented to Câmpina’s local administration for review and adoption. Integrated into the municipal planning process, this strategy ensured that youth perspectives were actively considered in decision-making and policy formulation.

The SMART-Y initiative (2021-2023) was a project that focused on empowering young people from rural areas across Europe to play an active role in the transition towards a green and sustainable future. Under the broader Smart Villages framework, which integrates a wide range of EU policies such as the European Green Deal and the European Youth Strategy, SMART-Y aims to engage rural youth in shaping local solutions for sustainable development, clean energy, and the digitalisation of rural communities.The project is being implemented by a diverse consortium of partners including the Active Women Association (AWA), CIAPE, STEP, Asociación Amigos de Europa Leonardo da Vinci, United Societies of Balkans (U.S.B.), Volda University College (VUC), Innovative Education Centre, Cyprus Youth Council, Youthfully Yours Slovakia, and GEYC.

Project Objective: SMART-Y’s core objective was to empower youth from rural areas to reframe their local challenges through a green and sustainable lens. The project engaged and connected young people to take ownership of their communities’ development by addressing critical issues related to decentralised green services, sustainable energy solutions, zero-emission societies, and innovations for rural development. By fostering active participation in local civic life, SMART-Y aimed to co-create policy solutions that can guide the rural communities into the digital age while ensuring environmental sustainability.

Main activities:

Local Living Labs: At the heart of SMART-Y, Local Living Labs placed youth at the center of their community's transition towards Smart Villages, helping them identify and address local sustainability challenges. GEYC invited a group of 15 students and youth workers from Câmpina to reflect on concrete ideas and solutions relevant to their specific needs, contributing to the European Youth Goal of a "Green and Sustainable Europe."
EU Virtual Hackathons: In a bid to foster cross-border collaboration, SMART-Y organized virtual hackathons where youth from different countries worked together in multinational teams. 12 young people from Câmpina joined. These online events challenged participants to develop innovative solutions to rural challenges, specifically in areas of clean energy and sustainability. The best ideas were presented to policymakers, with the aim of translating these solutions into actionable policies for rural communities.
Idea Development & Prototyping Workshops: Winning ideas from the hackathons were developed further during a series of in-person workshops in Poland, Greece, and Austria. These workshops allowed youth participants to transform their ideas into more concrete, low-risk prototypes, testing how these concepts can work in real-life scenarios while considering the resources available in specific contexts. A young participants from Câmpina was among the winners and participated in the workshop in Greece, developing his idea of creating an app for promoting biking among citizens but also foster concrete solutions to develop the infrastructure.
Sustainable Policy Labs: Building on the outcomes of the Local Living Labs, Hackathons, and Prototyping Workshops, SMART-Y hosted Sustainable Policy Labs to present the results to youth, youth workers, and policymakers. GEYC organized the lab in Câmpina with 30 youths, youth workers and policymakers, fostering discussions on how to integrate these ideas into policies that can support the development of Smart Villages, with a focus on creating sustainable and youth-driven strategies for rural development.

Under the European Solidarity Corps programme, GEYC hosted two groups of international volunteers who organized the YOUth Art Festival in 2023 and 2024. This festival, held in partnership with Câmpina’s City Hall, served as a vibrant platform for youth artistic expression.

The festival editions featured a diverse range of activities, including an escape room, treasure hunt, volleyball tournament, concert, talent show, and more. Throughout the festival, participants developed artistic skills and connected with like-minded peers, fostering a sense of cultural and community engagement.

The interventions GEYC implemented in Câmpina were a model of comprehensive, grassroots youth engagement, strategically designed to empower local young people and integrate their voices into the community’s development.

The multi-faceted approach—encompassing skill development, volunteer experiences, international exchanges, and direct policy contributions—demonstrated the powerful impact that a well-coordinated intervention can have on a local level. This tailored, sustained engagement not only addressed immediate community needs but also laid the groundwork for a future in which young people play a vital, proactive role in shaping Câmpina’s evolution as a dynamic, inclusive European city.

Constanța County

In the region, GEYC implemented Constanța pentru TINEri, a project aimed at addressing the significant lack of dedicated youth spaces in Constanța County. In Romania, the concept of a youth space—an accessible environment equipped with resources for youth development—is still under-recognized, with local authorities often overlooking its importance. Most towns across Constanța County lack a place where young people can gather, connect, and access developmental resources.

The Constanța pentru TINEri project (2022-2024) focused on mobilizing a group of 30 young people from various localities in Constanța County, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to advocate for youth spaces within their communities. Through a series of workshops and advocacy activities, the young participants learned how to lobby local authorities for spaces dedicated to youth engagement and development.

Key steps in the project included:

Communication and visibility actions: Campaigns were designed to raise awareness around the need for youth spaces and to increase the visibility of participants' efforts across the county.
Advocacy activities by participants: Each participant returned to their community to advocate for youth spaces, using newly acquired skills to engage with local decision-makers and promote the idea of dedicated youth environments.
Workshops in Bucharest and Brussels Study Visit: Participants attended workshops on essential citizenship elements, project management, public speaking, and leadership, as well as an e-participation session in Bucharest at the city’s Youth Center. The Brussels visit included a roundtable with Members of the European Parliament and a youth center visit, providing insight into successful youth initiatives abroad.
Local consultations across the county.

In addition to the project Constanta pentru TINEri, GEYC launched its third Caravan event in September 2023. After successful events in Moldova and Oltenia, the Caravan brought together youth from across Dobrogea, inviting them to explore youth opportunities and European mobility programs. The Caravan was scheduled across several towns in the region, including Sulina, Tulcea, Năvodari, and Constanța, creating an immersive experience for students, youth workers, and teachers interested in engaging in community-driven initiatives.

In Constanța County, events included interactive sessions to discuss youth advocacy, civic rights, and countering misinformation around environmental issues.

GEYC’s involvement in the Constanța county focused on youth advocacy and civic engagement, a distinctly different approach from the structured civic empowerment model developed in Câmpina. The intervention centered around empowering young people to advocate for essential resources—specifically, dedicated youth spaces, which are currently lacking in the region. Unlike Câmpina, where youth were directly involved in creating structured strategies and engaging in ongoing dialogues with local authorities, the focus in Constanța was on equipping young people with advocacy tools and mobilizing them to drive change from the ground up.

This approach addressed the unique need for advocacy in Mangalia, Năvodari, Constanța city and nearby towns, where the concept of youth spaces is underdeveloped, and local authorities require consistent persuasion. Through workshops on lobbying, project management, and public speaking, youth from across the county gained the skills to push for change independently. This grassroots advocacy model fostered a more self-driven, community-oriented involvement, enabling youth to bring attention to their needs in ways that directly impacted their everyday lives.

Furthermore, youth from Constanța city, Năvodari and Mangalia joined the "DiscoverEU Inclusion" learning adventure by GEYC in August 2023 where they explored for 14 days by train 4 countries in Central-Eastern Europe on the topic of remembrance.

While the Câmpina approach highlighted structured planning and policy-making, the involvement in Constanța underscored youth advocacy and local action—two complementary strategies that together strengthen GEYC’s mission of empowering young people to shape their communities.

Mangalia

On June 12, 2023, a youth consultation was held at Callatis Cultural Garden in Mangalia, bringing together representatives from the City Hall, teachers, and young people from the city. This event focused on identifying accessible spaces for young people and discussing how these could be improved. The consultation offered youth a platform to share their needs and vision for youth spaces in Mangalia, sparking a dialogue with local authorities on making these spaces a reality.

Năvodari

The UP2NEB initiative (2024-2027), co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union, is a 3-year KA2 cooperation partnership aimed at engaging, connecting, and empowering youth workers from EU peripheral areas. The project focuses on equipping them with co-designed, practical learning resources and updated skills, enabling them to train and empower young people (aged 18-29) in these territories. The goal is for youth to engage with the New European Bauhaus (NEB) initiative, co-creating living space prototypes that support the development of rural and peripheral communities while fostering positive change through enhanced youth engagement. The project is led by CIAPE (Italy) and brings together a diverse consortium of partners including Materially S.r.l. Impresa Sociale (Italy), Quiosq (The Netherlands), IEC (Austria), Eco Logic (North Macedonia), Podgradom and STEP (Slovenia), The Santa María La Real Foundation (Spain), Ankara Aks (Turkey), and GEYC.

Project Objective: The aim of UP2NEB is to empower youth workers and young people to engage with the New European Bauhaus initiative by creating beautiful, sustainable, and inclusive living spaces. The project seeks to foster positive community transformation by increasing youth engagement in addressing societal challenges related to sustainability, inclusion, and aesthetics.

Training: A comprehensive training program will be developed and made accessible via a Miro Multiverse board, focusing on the NEB core values of sustainability, inclusion, and aesthetics. The program will cater to both youth workers and young people, employing a bottom-up and creative approach to learning. The first step was implementing Local Labs. GEYC organized its LL in Năvodari, gathering 17 youths, youth workers and stakeholders, with the support of its local partner for this project, Lazar Edeleanu Technological Highschool Năvodari.

A DIY toolkit for youth workers: The project will produce a practical DIY toolkit that serves as a guide for youth workers/trainers. This toolkit will follow a hands-on, design-thinking approach and will offer a pathway for facilitating transformation and engaging young people in the co-creation of living spaces, grounded in the principles of the New European Bauhaus. This output will be presented digitally to youth workers and educators from Romania, and within a hybrid format to those in Năvodari.

A compendium of projects and prototypes: A compendium showcasing entrepreneurial projects will be created, including sustainable, inclusive, and aesthetically pleasing physical prototypes designed by young people during the project’s activities. These projects, developed through 4 transnational learning activities, will be linked to NEB prizes and will be available to local communities interested in implementing them. Young people and youth workers from Năvodari will be part of this process.

Lazar Edeleanu Technological Highschool Năvodari got actively involved in the campaign encouraging the teachers and students to learn more about the GEYC Community and register. Obtaining some of the best awards, they were invited to the Bootcamp Changemakers in Bran, hosted by GEYC.

The students of the 'Lazăr Edeleanu' Technological High School from Năvodari, participated in a workshop where they had the opportunity to learn about the significance of environmental protection and that of co-creation green initiatives in urban areas. They explored the current environmental challenges, as well as the impact of climate change on both the planet and their local communities. The workshop focused the importance of their active involvement in making a difference within their community, encouraging teamwork to identify solutions for the environmental and social issues they face They explored the application of democracy in participatory processes related to the co-creation of public spaces in Năvodari. Through their proposals, the students advocated for initiatives, promoting a space that is both environmentally friendly, inclusive, beautiful and youth-oriented.

Dorohoi, Botoșani County

GEYC's work in Dorohoi has centered around empowering young people and educators to navigate and utilize digital resources responsibly while engaging in civic issues and preserving cultural heritage. This initiative started in 2020 amidst the challenges brought on by the pandemic, as educators and students adapted to an increasingly digital learning environment. Initially focused on integrating digital tools into classrooms, GEYC’s work quickly expanded into providing opportunities for youth to engage in digital literacy, responsible internet use, and civic engagement on local and European levels.

European Digital Youth Summit 2020 (EDYS): Following her participation in a civic engagement workshop, a local teacher was invited to EDYS, organized in partnership with the European Parliament. At this summit, she joined discussions on the future of the internet, focusing on the educator’s role in guiding young people to responsibly use digital resources amid the challenges of fake news and misinformation. This experience underscored the importance of quality information, especially during the global infodemic.
PrismaEu Talks: In February 2021, Ms Alina Alupoaei, a teacher from Dorohoi participated as a speaker at PrismaEu Talks, an international debate series where she discussed social media responsibility, fake news prevention, and data privacy. This event brought together experts from the U.S., Italy, Germany, and Albania, broadening local perspectives on global digital challenges.
DIVERSE Educational Training: From March to May 2021, a teacher from Dorohoi completed the DIVERSE training course under the Erasmus+ program, focusing on promoting democratic values and cultural diversity through storytelling and drama. The 35-hour course encouraged students to adopt inclusive attitudes toward different ethnicities and social groups, helping foster an intercultural environment within schools. The project was recognized at the National Youth Gala, winning third place in the Social Inclusion category.
5030 Remember Project: In November 2021, ten students from Queen Mary High School in Dorohoi joined the 5030 Remember project, organized by GEYC with funding from the Europe for Citizens program. This initiative focused on historical remembrance, covering key events from WWII to the democratic revolutions of 1989. Through online seminars, students engaged directly with international experts, including museum curators and Holocaust scholars, gaining insights into the historical impact of authoritarian regimes. Their engagement led to an invitation to a youth exchange in Cuevas Bajas, Spain, under the Move in Action program, where they explored cultural diversity, teamwork, and solidarity with students from five other European countries.
Workshop on European Institutions and Decision-Making: In July 2022, GEYC organized a two-day workshop at Queen Mary High School, introducing 29 active students to European institutions and their roles in decision-making. Topics included the structure of EU institutions, the legislative process, and opportunities for youth under programs like Erasmus+. The workshop aimed to build civic awareness and a deeper understanding of European values among young people in Dorohoi.
Caravana Moldovei - GEYC Talks Event: On September 10, 2022, GEYC hosted GEYC Talks at Cinema Melodia, aiming to inspire local youth and offer career guidance by exploring digital tools for self-education and skill development. Part of an Erasmus+ dissemination project, the event highlighted how young people can connect, acquire new competencies, and communicate effectively in a digital age.

The impact of these projects in Dorohoi has been profound, instilling a sense of civic duty, digital responsibility, and cultural awareness among students and educators alike. Through projects like 5030 Remember and Move in Action, young people gained firsthand experience in intercultural dialogue, strengthening their understanding of European history and democratic values. Additionally, a member from Dorohoi joined GEYC’s Board of Directors, reinforcing the community’s ongoing contribution to GEYC’s mission.

GEYC’s initiatives in Dorohoi exemplify the power of digital literacy and civic education as tools for social inclusion and historical understanding, preparing young people to participate actively in a diverse, interconnected Europe. Through workshops, international exchanges, and local advocacy, GEYC has helped Dorohoi’s youth become informed, responsible digital citizens, ready to engage in the global conversation on democracy, history, and social responsibility.

GEYC’s involvement in Dorohoi has taken a unique approach, focusing heavily on digital literacy, historical awareness, and civic education, distinct from the more advocacy-driven initiatives in Mangalia and structured civic empowerment in Câmpina. In Dorohoi, GEYC’s programs addressed the need for responsible digital engagement, intercultural understanding, and historical remembrance, equipping young people with the skills to critically navigate both digital spaces and societal issues.

While the initiative in Câmpina emphasized developing local youth policies and direct participation in municipal planning, and the Mangalia project focused on empowering youth to advocate for physical spaces dedicated to them, Dorohoi’s programs centered on educating youth about their place in both local and global contexts. This was achieved through online debates, workshops on EU institutions, intercultural exchanges, and historical projects that broadened students' understanding of democracy, diversity, and digital responsibility.

Together, these approaches reflect GEYC’s adaptive strategy: addressing each community’s unique needs while fostering informed, responsible, and engaged young citizens across Romania.

Lugoj, Timiș County

In Lugoj, GEYC’s fifth edition of the Caravan initiative embarked on a new journey to bring European opportunities closer to young people in Romania’s western region, Banat. For five days, the GEYC team engaged with youth in Lugoj, Timișoara, Reșița, and Oțelu Roșu, introducing them to European programs, exploring the specific needs of each community, and fostering a sense of local and regional connection. This Caravan was unique not only in its scope but also in its focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), bringing a new dimension to GEYC’s outreach efforts in the region.

Key themes explored:

European opportunities for youth: The GEYC team provided insights into various European programs available for young people, including Erasmus+ and other initiatives that support learning, travel, and professional development across Europe.
Women in STEAM: The Caravan highlighted female role models in STEAM fields, inspiring young women to pursue careers in these areas and breaking down stereotypes about gender roles in science and technology.
Local civic engagement and volunteerism: Local examples of youth involvement in civic projects and volunteerism showcased how young people can positively impact their communities through active participation.
Engaging local stakeholders: The event brought together local stakeholders, including educators, NGOs, and civic leaders, to discuss ways to support youth projects and further the mission of community-driven growth and youth empowerment.

The Banat Caravan’s innovative format fostered a deeper understanding of the importance of STEAM, emphasized local resources and organizations, and built connections among young people and community leaders. Through interactive sessions, GEYC encouraged young people in Lugoj and neighboring towns to see themselves as part of a broader European community, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to take advantage of diverse European opportunities and inspire local change.

GEYC’s involvement in Lugoj through the Banat Caravan presented a distinct approach by focusing on hands-on, interactive promotion of STEAM education and European opportunities. Unlike the policy-focused civic empowerment in Câmpina, the advocacy for youth spaces in Mangalia, and the digital literacy and historical awareness efforts in Dorohoi, the Lugoj initiative was rooted in experiential learning.

This involvement was also characterized by active community engagement—bringing together local stakeholders and youth in practical workshops and networking sessions to build meaningful connections. The focus on STEAM, especially the role of women in these fields, marked a forward-looking approach that highlighted modern skills essential for youth empowerment in today’s workforce. In contrast to the other cities, where GEYC aimed at structural changes or digital competencies, the Lugoj initiative provided young people with a toolkit for innovation and learning, equipping them to embrace both local and European opportunities in STEAM fields.

Caraș-Severin County

In Caraș-Severin County, GEYC has actively contributed to youth empowerment through a series of impactful initiatives in Reșița and Oțelu Roșu, promoting STEAM education, digital skills, and employability.

Reșița

Reșița became a hub for innovation and collaboration during the SENSE. Banat Youth Caravan (2024), where GEYC and partners engaged over 60 high school students at Colegiul Național “Traian Lalescu.” Supported by Reșița City Hall, the event featured panels that highlighted how European projects can prepare youth for the future. Representatives shared inspiring personal stories, encouraging students to explore STEAM opportunities available in their community. A highlight of the event was a hands-on activity involving the creation of perfumes, making science tangible and enjoyable. Collaborating with local schools and organizations, including the Banatul Montan Community Foundation and Nevo Parudimos Association, the event provided an interactive learning experience that connected theory with practical application.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by GEYC (@geyc.ro)

GEYC’s reach in Reșița extended through initiatives like the Young Digital Leaders programme, implemented in partnership with Google.org and ISD (UK) in 2019. This program equipped over 450 students and 90 parents with critical digital skills, fostering responsible online behavior. Workshops at Reșița schools and further teacher training contributed to developing thousands of students’ digital citizenship across Romania.

GEYC’s involvement in Caraș-Severin County extended to initiatives like the DIVERSE project (2019-2021), which awarded the title of DIVERSE center to top educational institutions, including Școala Gimnazială Nr. 9 in Reșița. This recognition highlights the region’s dedication to inclusive education for refugees, migrants, and minority students.

Reșița got involved actively throughout the SMYLE campaign (2013), where we tackled youth unemployment through the seminar "IT contra Șomaj." Adolescents aged 13-14 gained insights into local unemployment challenges and professional rights as minors. Discussions with AJOFM representatives emphasized the importance of leveraging social media for professional development.

Oțelu Roșu

At Oțelu Roșu High School, the SENSE. Banat Youth Caravan (2024) welcomed over 70 participants. The event introduced students to European projects tailored to their goals and interests. The interactive discussions helped youth conceptualize how their STEAM ideas could transform into fundable initiatives, supported by organizations like the Banatul Montan Community Foundation. The event emphasized that STEAM is not just a field of study but a pathway to new opportunities.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by GEYC (@geyc.ro)

Oțelu Roșu’s Liceul Bănățean was also recognized as a Young Digital Leaders Center, reflecting its active role in fostering digital skills. The school’s commitment to teacher training and workshops has empowered youth to navigate the digital world effectively. In September 2019, GEYC's caravan arrived to Oțelu Roșu for a stimulating event on digital citizenship education as part of the first edition of the Digital Citizenship Week in Romania.

Vision 2030

GEYC aims to strengthen these local initiatives and transform grassroots interventions into a more structured approach, prepared for the future. By 2030, the goal is to develop integrated strategies with clear, measurable objectives that deliver concrete results and significantly increase youth involvement.

The 2030 Plan includes:

Collaboration between NGOs and local authorities: Developing stable partnerships between non-governmental organizations and authorities to support youth actions and create dedicated programs.
Creating local support networks for young people: Launching networks that allow young people to communicate and collaborate, share ideas and resources, and facilitate more effective project dissemination.
Mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating impact: Establishing clear methods to measure each initiative’s success, providing concrete data on results and clear feedback for improvement.
Education in sustainable development and civic engagement: Focusing on educational programs that bring long-term impact, preparing young people for future challenges.
Creating a supportive legislative framework: Active lobbying to encourage local and national authorities to support policies that foster youth volunteerism and civic involvement.

By 2030, GEYC aims to actively contribute to building a new generation of responsible young people, ready to take on active roles in their communities. With well-structured interventions, supported by partnerships and a clear strategy, GEYC seeks to transform these local initiatives into a successful model for the entire country.

11 November 2024

Local Youth Empowerment: How GEYC is empowering communities at the local level | Interventions In Dorohoi, Câmpina, Constanța County, Lugoj and Caraș-Severin County