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Empower Youth

ENABLING YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS TO SHAPE DECISION-MAKING ON ISSUES THAT MATTER MOST TO YOUNG PEOPLE

Mariam Todua

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Panel Discussion and Peer Learning: Virtual Exchanges & Youth Mobility

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Association ATINATI

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Association ATINATI

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  • Founded in 1995 in Zugdidi, Georgia
  • One of the leading civil society organizations in Western Georgia
  • Working in youth empowerment, civic engagement, education, community development and international cooperation
  • Implemented more than 200 local and international projects
  • Owner of Radio Atinati (FM 105.9) – an independent regional radio station broadcasting 24/7 across Western Georgia, including Abkhazia

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ATINATI

  • Mission:
  • Association Atinati's mission is to promote the establishment of an educated, tolerant, and free society through civic engagement, education, empowerment, and community development initiatives.
  • Working Directions:��1. Development of civil society
  • 2. Promoting economic empowerment of the region's population
  • 3. Promoting public awareness
  • �

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PROJECT

Empower Youth

Goal

Method

Catalyst

EmpowerYouth aims to empower and engage young people in environmental and climate change-related issues, while fostering open dialogue with environmental institutions and stakeholders.

Our hybrid methodology blends physical mobility with virtual exchanges, using gamified simulations to teach youth local policy monitoring and environmental advocacy

We focus on climate change and environmental issues to actively engage young people in the local policy implementation process

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Empower Youth Partners

The project is implemented by the Center for European Policy Studies (CRPE) in Romania

Together with partner organizations: �Center for Research and Advocacy in European Affairs (Moldova)�Association ATINATI (Georgia) �Gyumri Youth Initiative Centre NGO (Armenia)

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Project Tasks

PHASE 01

Resources & Tool Localization

Developing learning kits. Needs assessment and adaptation of the EcoVille board game for the local context.

PHASE 02

Capacity Building & Training

Selecting 10 local youth organizations and conducting virtual info sessions.

PHASE 03

Hybrid Capacity Building

International study visit to Bucharest combined with 5 virtual learning modules.

PHASE 04

Local Rollout & Implementation

Organizing national workshops and simulation activities in local communities.

PHASE 05

Advocacy & Monitoring

Youth-led policy tracking and international virtual best-practice exchanges.

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Working Process

Virtual Exchanges

Gamified Strategy

Institutional Dialogue

Policy Drafting

Participating in cross-border virtual learning sessions.

Playing the EcoVille board game to simulate council debates.

Meeting with environmental institutions and experts.

Co-creating the Climate Change policy document.

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GAMIFIED ADVOCACY: ECOVILLE

Bridging Reality & Simulation

Represent imaginary political parties.

Negotiate resource allocation for city well-being.

Balance environmental protection with community growth.

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Academic Outcomes

  • Project Leadership: Enhanced skills to design and manage result-oriented youth initiatives.
  • Political Literacy: Deeper mastery of democratic structures, advocacy strategies, and policy monitoring.
  • Educational Innovation: Proficiency in applying gamification and non-formal tools (like EcoVille).
  • Build cross-border networks and mutual trust among young people from different countries.

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Key Achievements

80

Youth NGOs

200K

Citizens

10

Local Hubs

Trained & equipped with innovative tools.

Reached through digital campaigns.

Selected organizations in Georgia.

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Localized Tool

"EcoVille" simulation board game translated and distributed in Georgia.

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Challenge

  • Political restrictions and increased pressure on civil society organizations complicated cooperation with schools.
  • Some schools were reluctant to collaborate due to the political climate.
  • Technical barriers, including unstable internet connections and limited access to equipment.
  • The need to temporarily suspend social media communication to reduce project-related risks.
  • Digital Fatigue: Sustaining active youth engagement during long virtual sessions.
  • Content Complexity: Simplifying technical environmental data for young audiences.

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QUESTIONS?

Thank you for your attention!

Empower Youth Project

www.atinati.org