YOUTHLINK: Youth Participation in the Education System Processes across Romania – Moldova

Creation of cross-border models, resources and collaboration ties for strengthening vulnerable youth engagement and participation between Iasi area and the Republic of Moldova.

This objective translates into:

– Building inclusive mechanisms (like active student councils) for youth engagement in schools

– Providing training for teachers, school managers, counselors, and students on participation, rights equality, and social innovation

– Developing and piloting joint strategies and action plans to institutionalize youth participation across borders

– Offering research, policy input, and recommendations to authorities, so they can improve frameworks supporting youth civic engagement

• -Local public authorities: four municipalities or local councils (Romania and Moldova) where the target schools are located.
• Sectoral agency: the National Agency for Youth (Republic of Moldova).
• -Education and schools: four target secondary schools and high schools (Romania and Moldova).
• -County-level public authority: Iași County Council (coordinator of CJRAE Iași).
• -Interest groups / NGOs: project partner NGOs (Alternative Sociale, AVINT).
• -Other NGOs in Romania and Moldova benefiting from dissemination and collaboration opportunities.
• -National public authorities: the Ministries of Education in Romania and the Republic of Moldova.
• -General public: youth in Romania and Moldova (especially vulnerable groups), together with teachers, parents, communities, and society at large, who benefit from improved youth participation models and awareness.

1. Conducting studies on youth participation in Romania and Moldova.
2. Developing and piloting training programs for students (rights, equality, social innovation).
3. Creating and activating student councils through an inclusive participation model.
4. Delivering teacher training on youth engagement and inclusion.
5. Organizing cross-border study visits for students and teachers.
6. Developing a joint cross-border strategy and action plan for youth participation.
7. Hosting public events (conferences & workshops) to promote and disseminate results. Running a youth awareness and activation campaign across both countries

1. At least 16 joint cross-border actions carried out after the project (studies, trainings, exchanges, etc.).
2. Two joint policy documents (a cross-border strategy and an action plan) adopted by the 4 target schools.
3. 204 stakeholders (students, teachers, youth workers, decision-makers) with improved skills and awareness on youth participation.
4. Active and functional student councils established in 4 target schools (Romania & Moldova).
5. Trained teachers and school staff equipped to facilitate youth participation, including that of vulnerable groups.
6. Sustainable cooperation ties built between Romanian and Moldovan schools, NGOs, and authorities.
7. Greater awareness among the general public and Ministries of Education of the value of youth engagement