GMF Leadership Lab Fellowship Alumni are pleased to announce the launch of the "Youth for Communities: Empowering Young Ukrainian Leaders" project, organized over the course of five months, from February to June 2023, focused on equipping young Ukrainian and Moldovan leaders with the skills and knowledge they need to become active citizens and make a positive impact in their local communities in the Republic of Moldova.

The "Youth for Communities: Empowering Young Ukrainian Leaders" project, supported financially by the German Marshall Fund* of the United States and implemented by alumni of its leadership programs, is aimed at 15 young Ukrainians and 15 Moldovan young leaders aged 16-25, selected based on their experience and potential for civic engagement. The project seeks to provide comprehensive training on how to transform an idea into a successful civic initiative and support these young leaders in the process of developing and implementing local civic initiatives. The project will focus on building a team, communication strategy, leadership, project management, civic engagement, and professional activities in Moldova. The ultimate goal is to help every Ukrainian find a place in Moldovan society and contribute to their local communities.

The participants will undergo an online training program that covers three thematic sessions:

• Building a Team & Communication strategy;
• Leadership & Project Management;
• Civic Engagement & Professional activities in Moldova.

Each session will be tailored to the specific needs and challenges faced by young leaders in Moldova.

In addition to the training program, the project will also include a study visit to several institutions in Chisinau, Moldova. This visit will provide participants with the opportunity to learn from experts in the field and gain hands-on experience in implementing successful civic initiatives. The visit will also serve as a platform for participants to network and build relationships with like-minded young leaders from both countries.

On the study visit day, there will be an experience-sharing session between participants and three youth leaders who have successfully implemented civic initiatives or are active in the civic society in Moldova. This session will serve as a model for participants and provide them with practical insights into the challenges and opportunities involved in civic engagement.

Throughout the project, participants will receive ongoing support and guidance from the organizing team members. This support will include regular monitoring and evaluation of participants' efforts to develop and implement local civic initiatives, as well as coaching and mentoring on how to overcome any obstacles they may encounter.

The ultimate goal of the project is to foster social integration and civic leadership among young Ukrainians in Moldova. By providing them with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to succeed, the project will help young leaders from both countries to realize their full potential and make a positive impact in their local communities.

Click here to find out more about the project.

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*GMF offers a portfolio of leadership development initiatives for established, mid-career, and next-generation leaders who are committed to strengthening transatlantic relations to make a free, prosperous, and peaceful world possible. Upon successful graduation from one of these programs, participants join a 4-thousand-strong GMF alumni network that deploys their talents to advance democracy, inclusive leadership, and global engagement for a new century of transatlantic collaboration.