About 80 initiatives and projects proposed by young people had been implemented in Ialoveni district over three years within the program of the Ialoveni Youth Fund. The total budget was 520,000 lei, with the projects being implemented in 21 villages of the district, IPN reports.
In a news conference on May 24, project coordinator Sergiu Gurau said the implemented projects included the laying out of parks, opening of radio stations in schools, ensuring of access to wi-fi Internet in parks, festivals, trips for socially deprived groups, meetings with personalities, theater clubs, and provision of equipment to schools.
The project’s team consists of 12 members who are aged 18 on average. Most of them are school students. The goal is to encourage the participation of young people and volunteers in developing communities. By 5,000-6,000 lei are offered within a small grants program. The young people can apply for grants by submitting a form with the description of the project and details as to how it can contribute to the development of the community. The small grants program is carried out twice a year, in spring and in autumn.
Sergiu Gurau said the program is aimed at involving the young people in the development of the community. 13% of the resources of the Ialoveni Youth Fund were accumulated by the project’s team. The participants pay a symbolic tax into this fund. By these projects, the young people exchange experience, do team work and do good things with little money.
Ialoveni district head Nicolae Andronachi said the number of young people who become involved in projects and initiatives intended for communities increases early. He stressed that the young people are those who will change the situation in the country tomorrow.
The district program Ialoveni Youth Fund is coordinated by the public association “Eco-Razeni” in partnership with the Ialoveni District Council, with financial support from East-Europe Foundation, from the resource provided by the Swedish Government through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.
