ProYouth

Evidence shows that weak Civil Society Organization (CSO) capacity and engagement in policy dialogue and lack of collaboration between civil society and governments still hamper civil society development in Tajikistan. Tajik CSOs struggle with inadequate legislation and reduction in funding from the donor community. CSOs can play a key role in promoting inclusive growth and empowering young men and women to participate actively in social and economic life. Youth engagement and entrepreneurship are important instruments for overcoming social exclusion and poverty. “ProYouth” is a joint action of Hilfswerk International and the Tajik CSOs “MIR- Office for Initiatives Development” (MIR), and Union of Professional Consultants of Tajikistan (UPCT) and is based on the initiative of the local partners.

ProYouth strives to strengthen the role, cooperation, and leverage of civil society actors in promoting youth participation and employment. It is based on bottom-up processes, helping to deliver sustainable solutions to local problems, considering national policies. ProYouth empowers civil society actors as key agents of change and addresses the root causes of problems in an integrated way, by involving all relevant stakeholders. It focuses on social and economic dimensions of youth civic participation.

The overall objective is to strengthen civil society organizations (CSOs) in the Republic of Tajikistan as competent and reliable actors of governance and accountability in promoting youth participation in social and economic life.

Specific objective:

CSOs in 24 communities in 8 districts in Sughd and Khatlon regions, and Dushanbe are empowered to promote youth participation and sustainably improve social and economic self-development of young people (focusing on rural and vulnerable young women and men) and their involvement in decision making.

• 20 CSOs and/or grass root organizations
• 24 Youth Community Groups (YCG)
• 100 Representatives of national and local public authorities
• 100 members of the YCG, willing to be active as volunteers
• At least 2000 young people aged 18-30 (min 80 in each target communities) (min 50% women), who face social and/or economic obstacles
• Families of young people involved in the current action lack information and knowledge about policies, initiatives, and opportunities at the local level
• Local population (approx. 500.000 target communities’ members)

• Trainings for CSOs and YCG in (strategic) planning, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and gender equality
• ToT course in for mentors in leadership, negotiation, and networking
• Establish a Youth Online knowledge hub & networking platform with tailored learning tools
• Webinars for civil society actors, youth, and relevant stakeholders
• 8 discussions on young women’s empowerment on district level
• 2 Regional Round Tables for CSOs and local and national authorities
• Initiate the establishment of Youth Think Tank (informal structure)
• Joint working session for the elaboration of action plans for youth community events
• Conduct business-oriented and social youth community events