Ganja is the Eurpean Youth Capital 2016! www.supportganja.eu
We have identified five thematic priority areas on which our programme is developed:
We see the European Youth Capital title as a unique opportunity to promote youth participation mechanisms. A part of our programme is dedicated to training activities in view of empowering them to take an active role in society and
contribute to their organisation's growth. Youth participation for us is also linked to internet governance and the use of social media.
We recognise that with the right set of skills, young people really can be the change generation. Education and skills must be linked with the job market. Having 4 universities in Ganja and a great number of students, we want to start using non- formal education methods in a more inclusive way.
Ganja wishes to put additional effort to promote intercultural dialogue among young people with diverse backgrounds and to encourage and empower them to take action for social cohesion and conflict transformation. The overall aim of developing a concept of social cohesion and equal opportunities in the framework of the European Youth Capital would allow youth to dedicate more to the societal aspects of urban development by using different tools such as arts, culture, social media and promoting creativity and innovation.
Tackling youth unemployment is at the heart of our programme. Young people today have diverse opportunities, but in the same time are preoccupied about their future due to insecurity in their professional life, or they don't have the skills to enter the job market, or they see themselves bliged to leave their city and look for a job elsewhere (brain drain). Moreover, there are serious difficulties connected with employment of young women.Incubators for start-up businesses will host initiatives run by young people. The main focus will be on social entrepreneurship and inclusion of underprivileged youth, among which rural youth. Moreover, in our process of addressing the private sector, agreements for different internship opportunities will be made.
At the moment, there is an average number of youth organisations and other NGOs operating in Ganja, however this number is increasing, as does the government support via grants for supporting NGOs and grants of the Ministry of Youth and Sport. In the same time, Azerbaijani youth is represented in international youth organisations where young people actively contribute with new initiatives in international youth platforms. A youth policy for volunteering is among our policy priorities.In the same time, we are giving a lot of attention to running a big volunteering campaign and a European Voluntary Service for our programme, involving young volunteers from the city, as well as from abroad. This volunteering programme will leave a big legacy to the city.
