Learning, Involvement, Networking and eXchange of Ideas |
Youth  is an innovative new program funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) that supports youth projects across Russia. The program fosters a culture of civic and community involvement among Russian youth by supporting local, regional and national projects through grant making, technical assistance and communications networking. PH has partnered with the Network Institute of Public Innovations (NIPI) to implement the program over the next three years.
Youth LINX builds off of PH's 20 years of experience working to engage youth in grassroots initiatives and community development. PH brings to this program a number of innovative approaches to empowering youth, engaging them in civic action and dialogue, and empowering them to take on leadership roles within civil society. The program centerpiece is the development of a dynamic youth web portal that will serve as a one-stop-shop for youth interested in getting involved on issues facing them and their communities. Using the latest technologies and database-driven social networking tools, the web portal will empower youth to work together across Russia's vast distances to join in making their communities healthier and more responsive to youth concerns.
Regional program activities are coordinated by a network of 10 Regional Coordinators working for NIPI. These coordinators are based in the following Russian cities: Vladivostok, Blagoveshchensk, Omsk, Kemerovo, Voronezh, Kostroma, Kaliningrad, Velikiy Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don, Volgograd. Regional Coordinators promote the program to local youth audiences, conduct informational meetings and training sessions, and monitor and support grant recipients.
Current Grant Competitions
Youth Initiatives Grants
These grants of up to $500 USD support youth-led activities in the local community. Illustrative projects and activities include:
- Projects aimed at disseminating information to raise awareness and increase understanding of local issues and problems of concern to youth.
- Organized discussion and roundtables focusing on community problem-solving of problems of concern to youth.
- Civic education projects addressing unemployment issues and other problems facing youth between 18-24 years of age.
- Projects working in conjunction with academic institutions working on social and civic issues facing youth.
- Educational and training projects aimed at exploring regional and federal laws and state programs that assist youth (for example, regional micro-credit programs for youth).
Youth Civic Activism Grants
These grants of up to $10,000 USD support youth-focused organizations working in local communities. Illustrative projects and activities include:
- Projects associated with Youth Day.
- Projects working on problem-solving around youth issues (for example, building nonprofit partnerships with municipal bodies.)
- Support for networking activities for youth-focused organizations (for example, distance learning and use of ICT for exchange of best-practices concerning youth issues.)
- Projects that increase dialogue (round tables, meetings) between youth and municipal leaders working to solve problems of concern to youth.
- Projects increasing youth representation in and use of mass media (television, radio, print) to address social issues (for example, youth development of programs addressing domestic violence, xenophobia, and intolerance.)
- Project encouraging youth volunteerism, including projects partnering with academic institutions for service learning.
For a list of grants awarded, grantee projects, and for more information on upcoming grant competitions, trainings and activities, please visit the Russian-language Youth LINX website:
http://www.youthlinx.ru
The Youth LINX Program began in September 2005 and will run through September 2008. For more information, contact Program Director Irina Subbotina irina@projectharmony.ru.
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