For the first time, Chișinău has made it to the finals of the European Youth Capital competition. By the end of September, Chișinău City Hall will have to submit its application to the competition. Four other cities are claiming this title, said Angela Cutasevici, deputy mayor of Chișinău municipality, at the fifth edition of the Municipal Youth Forum, which took place today in Chișinău.
Angela Cutasevici stressed that the municipality has developed a strategy for the development of the youth sector. The document implicitly provides for a change in the way of financing activities involving or aimed at young people.
Andrei Pavaloi, deputy head of the Directorate General for Education, Youth and Sport (DGETS), said that it was harder to organize certain activities in 2021. "However, DGETS has managed to undertake multiple actions to coagulate the forces of young people. We have the small grants programme, we have youth development programs, which are rolled out in the youth centre and we offer youth career guidance. Additionally, the Student Council has been created", the official said.
Daniela Munca-Aftenev, deputy head of DGETS, sait that unfortunately, according to the directorate's surveys, young people are less involved in civic, volunteering or decision-making activities. "It's much easier to go to a fun event, to a concert or a party, while it's harder to go to an event such as today's forum, which is a more serious event where important decisions are taken, which are related to youth policies", she noted.
In 2021, more than two million lei have been earmarked in the municipal budget for youth projects.
