EU4Youth: Youth Engagement and Empowerment project awards small grants to youth organisations in Georgia

From 20 to 22 May, the ‘EU4Youth: Youth Engagement and Empowerment’ project convened grantee organisations from across Georgia for a three-day event. The gathering served as the official Awarding Ceremony and Capacity Building Meeting for civil society organisations selected under the project’s small grants scheme.

The event celebrated the accomplishments of nine awarded youth organisations dedicated to promoting participation, inclusion, and climate action within their communities. It opened with remarks and a certificate ceremony delivered by Nicholas Cendrowicz, Head of the Cooperation Section at the EU Delegation to Georgia, and Dr. Anna-Maria Schneider, Head of Development Cooperation for Georgia and Azerbaijan at BMZ. Both speakers highlighted the role of civil society and youth participation in democratic governance and reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the European Union and Germany to supporting these efforts.

“The EU is pleased to see how the EU4Youth project is driving positive change, empowering civil society and youth. We are committed to Georgia’s youth and their EU path and we will continue our support,” Nicholas Cendrowicz said.

Grantees presented their funded projects, showcasing initiatives aimed at increasing youth engagement, fostering social cohesion, and implementing sustainable practices at the local level. They discussed challenges faced at both local and municipal levels and exchanged best practices.

The programme also included intensive capacity-building workshops on youth participation, covering effective mechanisms for mobilising young people, inclusive outreach strategies for vulnerable youth groups, and approaches to strengthening youth participation within local NGOs. Participants also had the opportunity to network, reflect on implementation progress, and explore synergies among their initiatives.

The event was organised as part of the ‘EU4Youth: Youth Engagement and Empowerment’ project, co-funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ.