EVENIMENTE

ECOU Association from the Republic of Moldova and Youth for Change Organisation from Armenia together are launching “Cross-Border Civic Action for Elections”, a project through which they will exchange experience and develop practical methods to engage young people in democratic life. The six-month project runs from October 2026 to March 2027, with financial support from the European Union through a subgrant awarded by ERIM under the ProElect programme.

The partnership addresses challenges shared by both countries: limited youth engagement in electoral processes and exposure to disinformation, particularly on social media. Through the planned activities, the two organisations aim to learn from each other how to support young people and civic actors in making informed electoral choices, taking part in election observation and recognising information intended to manipulate public opinion.

Vitalie Ponomariov, Director of ECOU Association, noted that the project marks a first for the association, as its first cross-border project implemented in partnership with an organisation from another Eastern Partnership country: “Cooperation with Youth for Change opens up new opportunities to exchange experience and develop joint initiatives between civil society organisations in the Republic of Moldova and Armenia.”

Each partner brings complementary expertise to the project. Youth for Change will contribute its experience in election observation, observer training and volunteer coordination. ECOU will share creative approaches to civic and electoral education, including social theatre, community dialogue and media literacy activities.

The project includes two study visits, one to the Republic of Moldova and one to Armenia, during which representatives of the two organisations will learn from their partners’ experience and discuss tools used in working with young people, election observers and volunteers.

Further exchanges will take place through three thematic online learning labs, bringing together at least 50 participants. These practical sessions will cover election observation and volunteer coordination, youth civic participation and electoral education, as well as identifying and countering disinformation.

The methods, tools and lessons learned through these activities will be compiled in a joint practical guide for civil society organisations. The guide will be published in English, with relevant sections adapted into Romanian and Armenian. The results will also be presented at a regional webinar involving at least 20 participants from a minimum of 10 organisations or institutions.

Youth for Change is an Armenian civil society organisation established in 2017 that promotes youth participation, democratic good governance, human rights and active citizenship. The organisation has experience in election observation, civic education and media literacy, including through projects previously implemented under ProElect.

This material was produced by ECOU Association under ProElect, with financial support from the European Union through an ERIM subgrant. Its content does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or ERIM.

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