Opening conference- event details
The weekend that just ended marked the official commencement of the project’s physical activities. For two days, representatives from youth foundations, project partners, and youth stakeholders gathered at the Youth Centre in Timisoara.
The project’s opening conference took place on Saturday, commencing at 2 pm. It was conducted both in a physical format and broadcasted on the organizers’ social media channels. The conference outlined the key elements of the project, its execution plan, and the anticipated outcomes upon completion. Additionally, it featured contributions from partners: the National Youth Foundation, Pont Group (Cluj), and Newschool (Norway), shedding light on their perspectives regarding youth foundations and their roles in revitalizing the youth sector.
The General Assembly of the National Youth Foundation spanned two days and brought together 17 youth foundations from across the country. Attendees participated in formal sessions dedicated to the General Assembly, discussing administrative aspects of the structure, as well as the developmental aspects of each individual foundation and the umbrella foundation. A significant agenda item was the inclusion of the Hunedoara County Youth Foundation as a full member of the NTF. On the second day, representatives embarked on a study visit to the Museum of the Communist Consumer – Scârț in Timișoara. Here, they had the opportunity to explore an independent, small-scale cultural venue that sustains itself through its activities—a noteworthy example of best practices. Simultaneously, the event featured workshops where participants identified the needs and common challenges faced by the foundations, along with planning sessions for collaborative actions within the project and the European Year of Youth.
The project is implemented by the Timis County Youth Foundation, in collaboration with the National Youth Foundation, PONT Group, and Newschool. Financial support is provided by the Active Citizens Fund Romania, a program funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway through EEA Grants 2014-2021. The project’s goal is to enhance the capacity and sustainability of youth foundations and develop support services for youth NGOs in the same region.
About the Active Citizens Fund Romania Program
The Active Citizens Fund Romania program is funded by EEA Grants 2014-2021. Its overarching objective is to reduce economic and social disparities while strengthening bilateral relations between the 15 beneficiary countries and the donor countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway). The program is administered by a consortium composed of the Civil Society Development Foundation, the Partnership Foundation, the Resource Centre for Roma Communities, the PACT Foundation, and Frivillighet Norge, acting as the Fund Operator designated by the FMO – Office of the EEA and Norwegian Grants Financial Mechanism. Active Citizens Fund Romania aims to bolster civil society and active citizenship and enhance the capacity of vulnerable groups.
With a total allocation of €46,000,000, the program strives to promote the long-term sustainability and capacity of the civil society sector. It plays a pivotal role in promoting democratic participation, active citizenship, and human rights while strengthening bilateral relations with the donor states of Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. For more information about the Active Citizens Fund in Romania, please visit www.activecitizensfund.ro. For additional information on EEA and Norwegian grants, please visit www.eeagrants.ro.
