More than 100 people participated in the conference on Youth Challenges and Opportunities in Georgia. The event was initiated by CENN within the EU-funded “EU4Youth – “Social Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development (SEED) for Green Growth” project.
The conference was attended by the EU Delegation to Georgia, local and international organizations, government agencies, and active youth from different regions of Georgia.
“I am glad to see a lot of young people here today, who have come from different regions of Georgia. It is essential to analyze the role that young people can play in the development of society and to consider their involvement not only in the long run, but first and foremost in the present. We are investing in this and the European Year of Youth, and the purpose of this conference is to support young people to participate in change not only in the future, but today,-” said Catalin Gherman, deputy head of cooperation of the EU Delegation to Georgia in his welcoming remark.
The conference aimed to discuss the current trends, challenges, and opportunities in the youth sector, specifically, youth policy, entrepreneurship, employment, education, and volunteering. In the format of panel discussions, the conference brought together local, national, and international organizations active in the fields of youth, education, social entrepreneurship, and green economy to discuss the main topics of youth sustainable development. The event also hosted an exhibition of photo stories of young activists across Georgia and a networking session, with the aim of connecting organizations and youth and sharing experiences and opportunities.
“I want to thank all of the participants, the youth organizations, the youth agency, and of course the EU delegation for being here and for the political support it is providing in general. Congratulations to the youth for being a part of the European Year of Youth. Your active participation is essential because you are the most progressive part of society. Today’s meeting has two purposes: to connect young people and organizations with each other and to discuss and advocate for youth policy and strategy. We hope for your active participation and wish you a successful event,-” said Nana Janashia, CENN executive director.
The conference was dedicated to the “European Year of Youth”, which is a significant step in acknowledging the rights of young people and the important contributions that they make to society.
The event was organized by CENN within the EU-funded regional “EU4Youth: Social Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development (SEED) for Green Growth” project, which is implemented by CENN in partnership with KRDF in Georgia and Green Lane NGO in Armenia. The project empowers disadvantaged youth in Georgia and Armenia to successfully transition from education to work through developing their Social Entrepreneurship and Green Innovation skills.
