Young people encouraged to get involved in solving community problems

The involvement of the Moldovan young people in the political and civic life of the community is still at an average level, shows a study made by East Europe Foundation. Only 61.7% of the respondents said they become involved in the political life and take part in the elections, Info-Prim Neo reports. In a news conference on November 3, Alexandru Coica, program coordinator for East Europe Foundation, said 87% of those polled said they felt discriminated on grounds of age, especially when employed. The respondents consider that the persons with disabilities, those infected with HIV/AIDS and the persons with a criminal record are the most discriminated. According to Alexandru Coica, a conclusion of the study is that the involvement of the young people in the economic life is reduced owing to the limited access to financial resources and the unstable business environment. “About 76% of those questioned said they do not believe they have the chance to find a well-paid job or to have a safe future in the country. I think this figure should arouse civil society’s and the state institutions’ concern,” he said. Basing on this study, there was launched a program of training in working out projects and collecting funds. The training program brought together youth organizations from 13 districts of the country, including from the Transnistrian region and the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia, which later had the possibility of implementing initiatives with the support of the local administrations. East Europe Foundation chairman Sorin Mereacre said that the Foundation, together with a group of independent experts, selected 14 NGOs for being offered grants. The given NGOs put forward innovative ideas and real mechanisms for involving the young people in solving community problems. These projects concern the development of the entrepreneurial abilities, creation of community and volunteer centers, establishment of public-private partnerships between the local public administration, the members of the community and businessmen in solving the local problems. Among the 14 NGOs that obtained financing is the public association “Inimi Marinimoase” based in Comrat. The association’s head Svetlana Stoinov said that within the project they will set up a radio station at the local high school “Mihai Eminescu”, in cooperation with the school’s administration. The radio station will treat subjects of interests for the young people and the community. Another beneficiary is the public association “Adolescentul” from Chiscareni, Sangerei. The association’s chairwoman Viorica Ignatiuc said that a business school will be created within the project, where the young people will be trained and assisted in starting a business. The Participation of the Young People in Moldova Project is financed by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Affairs, and is implemented by East Europe Foundation in cooperation with the Ministry of Youth and Sport. The total budget of the program is about US$500,000.