Roundtable in Cahul: Defining Strategic Directions for Youth Sector Development and Strengthening Collaboration among Youth Entities

On August 9, 2024, the Roundtable “Challenges and Solutions for the Youth Sector in Cahul” took place in Cahul. The event aimed to strengthen youth services and non-formal education by identifying the challenges and needs of young people and youth workers, as well as by formulating a strategic plan for the development of the sector in the region.

During the event, key directions of the action plan for improving youth services and enhancing collaboration among service providers were established. These objectives align with the Cahul District Youth Sector Development Strategy 2023–2028 and will contribute to the development of the youth sector in the region.

“This event is a valuable opportunity to discuss and identify innovative solutions to the challenges faced by the youth sector in Cahul. Supporting NGOs and ensuring quality services at the local level is one of the main priorities of CONTACT Center, which is why the Regional Center for Community Development managed to receive one of the eight grants awarded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), within the regional project ‘Strengthening Civil Society in the Eastern Partnership countries’, implemented through CONTACT Center.”

“We believe in the potential of young people, and by investing in their education and development, we contribute not only to our future but also to our shared present,” said Ana Bezărau, grant manager at CONTACT Center.

“Sustainable development can only be achieved with the involvement of all actors—public authorities, civil society, academia, and the business sector. All decisions for community development must be made together with the targeted groups. We believe that strong civil society organizations are essential partners for improving living conditions in communities. Therefore, the German government supports CSOs in identifying and solving community problems, including through grants, capacity-building, and exchange of best practices with organizations from other countries.”

“This event is a good example of cooperation and open dialogue between public authorities, educational institutions, and civil society to identify the needs and challenges of young people in Cahul. I hope this collaboration will continue and that the good practices and lessons learned will be shared with other communities,” stated Elena Spînu, National Coordinator, GIZ Moldova.

“I am pleased to see that our municipality has dedicated entities offering youth services that enable young people to get involved and gain practical experience. At the same time, I emphasize the importance of collaboration between these entities. Only through joint efforts can we achieve remarkable results,” said Nicolae Dandiș, Mayor of Cahul Municipality.

“Promoting youth services is essential for improving accessibility and awareness among young people in Cahul. During the roundtable, the importance of strengthening cooperation among entities providing these services was highlighted.

Creating new partnerships and enhancing cooperation will ensure a more coherent and coordinated support system for young people in the region,” added Arina Arabadji, project coordinator.

The project “Promoting Youth Services and Non-Formal Education in Cahul Region” aims to promote youth services and non-formal education by informing young people about local opportunities and fostering collaboration among youth entities in Cahul. As part of this initiative, young people were informed through media content about five key youth service providers: CSPT “AGAPE,” Cahul District Youth Center, A.O. Perspectiva, Municipal Youth Center, and the Regional Center for Community Development. Interviews were published across various platforms to ensure better visibility. The entities were also surveyed to identify challenges and areas for improvement.

To provide continuous support for interested young people, the “Active Youth Guide” was developed. Available in both print and online formats, this guide is a valuable tool for youth who want to engage in community life and become active in the youth sector. Disseminating the guide in Cahul’s educational institutions is a key project component to ensure youth have access to essential resources for becoming volunteers and, later, community leaders.

This event was organized by the Regional Center for Community Development as part of the local initiative “Promoting Youth Services and Non-Formal Education in Cahul.” The initiative is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), within the regional project “Strengthening Civil Society in the Eastern Partnership countries.”

The project partner is CONTACT Center.