Civic Engagement That Transforms Communities: The Story of the “Hiperion” Team from Leova within the YELI Project

We conclude the series of stories from the “YELI” project with the experience of the “Hiperion” team from Leova — a group of courageous and ambitious young women who clearly demonstrate that civic engagement makes a difference and leads to visible change within the community.

Alina Linga, a member of the “Hiperion” team, highlights that the most valuable lesson she gained was understanding the importance of collaboration and effective communication within a team. Her recommendation for other young people is clear:
“It is an excellent opportunity to learn new things, make friends, and contribute something meaningful to your community.”

Valentina Maximiciuc, also a member of the team, explains that participating in the project changed her perspective on civic involvement. Looking ahead, she is determined to remain active:
“I plan to continue collaborating with local NGOs and to establish a volunteer club in my high school, so I can share what I have learned with other students.”

Nicoli Mîndruță, another team member, learned that her voice truly matters, even if at first she believed that change was reserved only for adults:
“I realized that no matter how small my contribution may seem, if I truly get involved, I can bring real change around me.”
Nicoli proposed decorating the youth space with students’ works — drawings, motivational quotes, and collages — transforming it into a welcoming and friendly environment for everyone.

Stanislav Lozan, Director of the “Mihai Eminescu” Theoretical High School in Leova, emphasizes that the project motivated students to become more active, while the development of the youth space stands out as one of the most tangible results:
“Young people who engage today become responsible adults tomorrow. They learn how to collaborate, create useful initiatives, and take care of shared spaces.”

Through the “YELI” project, young women from Leova demonstrated that civic engagement means taking action and creating a real impact in one’s community.

We thank the “Hiperion” team for their determination, energy, and courage to transform ideas into actions with tangible results. We encourage the younger generation to continue acting, follow their aspirations, and become drivers of positive change within their communities.

This activity was carried out with the support of the “EU4Youth: Engagement and Empowerment of Youth” project, co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).