25 young leaders empowered and two youth spaces created in southern Moldova – results of the “YELI” project

A.O. Regional Center for Community Development (A.O. R.C.C.D.) announces the completion of the “YELI - Youth Empowerment and Leadership Initiative”, launched in November 2024 with the support of the project 'EU4Youth: Youth Engagement and Empowerment', co-funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). In just six months, the initiative empowered 25 young male and female leaders from the Southern Development Region, created two youth spaces, and mobilized over 100 beneficiaries to engage in civic activities.

The “YELI” program aimed to increase the participation of at least 25 young people from the Southern Development Region in civic processes and decision-making at the local and regional levels. To achieve this goal, the initiative combined a four-day Leadership Lab, the development of action plans for five communities, and dedicated mentoring sessions for two finalist teams, supporting them in turning their ideas into concrete activities.

The official launch of the project took place in early January 2025 through an opening conference in Chișinău. The event was attended by partners and colleagues from the youth sector, such as GIZ Moldova, the National Youth Agency, the National Youth Council of Moldova, the Training and Development Institute “MilleniuM”, and the organization “Eco-Răzeni”, who emphasized the importance of youth initiatives in shaping the new generation of leaders.

The central activity of the project was the “YELI” Leadership Lab, held with the participation of 25 young people from the districts of Leova, Ceadîr-Lunga, Cantemir, Căușeni, and Taraclia. Over four days of intensive training, the participants engaged in interactive sessions on key topics for their development: personal and community leadership, participatory development, and action plan design. At the end of the Lab, the five community teams presented their action plans in a competition, where two winning teams were selected – “Hiperion” representing the town of Leova and “Sade-Gaz” representing Tomai, Ceadîr-Lunga district – both receiving financial support and mentoring to implement their proposed action plans.

In March–April, the two winning teams implemented their action plans in their respective communities. Two youth spaces were equipped and have already hosted local activities – from leadership and career guidance workshops to community engagement campaigns – attracting a significant number of participants. Over 100 young people and community members took part directly in the activities and events organized in Leova and Tomai, benefiting from personal development and civic engagement opportunities. The initiative also strengthened an emerging regional network of young leaders who collaborate with local authorities and civil society organizations, demonstrating that investing in youth delivers tangible results for communities.

“This project has shown that when young people are supported and empowered, they can become true agents of change in their communities. We are pleased to see how the ideas developed in the lab turned into real initiatives in Leova and Tomai. Through the youth spaces created, we have left behind sustainable development hubs where other young people will continue to learn, collaborate, and drive positive change. YELI’s impact will be felt long term through the energy and example of these young leaders,” said Irina Bejan, project coordinator.

“We are delighted to observe the tangible results of the YELI - Youth Empowerment and Leadership Initiative project, implemented by R.C.C.D., which contributed to the skills development of over 25 young people from southern Moldova. The European Union and the German Government, through the EU4Youth project, continue to provide constant support to youth across the country, helping them develop leadership and initiative skills, and thereby contributing to increased civic engagement and active participation in society,” stated the national coordinator of the EU4Youth: Youth Engagement and Empowerment project, Anastasia Eșanu.

A.O. Regional Center for Community Development Cahul is a non-governmental organization dedicated to the sustainable development of communities through the promotion of good governance, civic initiatives, and youth engagement. R.C.C.D. mainly operates in the southern districts of the country, supporting projects in education, leadership, media literacy, gender equality, and social inclusion.