Author: victoria

Youth Week is launched in Chisinau from November 4 to 10 with exciting activities for young people! See what activities you can take part in.

03/11/2024de victoria

Chisinau Municipal Youth Centre, together with its branches in Botanica, Ciocana and Riscani, is organizing, from 4-10 November 2024, the Youth Week – a celebration dedicated to the creativity and energy of young people. The event will feature a wide range of activities aimed at encouraging active participation, non-formal education and personal development, giving young people the opportunity to explore new areas and develop essential skills for the future.

Activities at the Chisinau Municipal Youth Center:

November 4: Launch of the #Dare to be a Youth Worker Campaign.
November 5: Self-Driven Day and presentation of e-voluntar.md online platform (17:00).
November 6: Workshop to discuss priorities for young people in Chisinau in 2025 (16:00), followed by a follow-up session on “Managing and Maintaining Financial Stability” (17:00).
November 7: Continuation of the financial discussion (15:00) and launch of the e-youth platform for access to opportunities and resources dedicated to young people (16:00).
November 9: Suburban Youth Exchange (13:00), Youth Marathon (13:00) and a Karaoke/DJ Party (18:00).
November 10: National Youth Day, with activities to end the festive week.

Activities at the Botanica Youth Center:

November 5, 17:30: “Volunteers in Dialogue” – a meeting to explore the experiences of young volunteers.
November 7, 15:00: “100 young people have their say” – an interactive session valuing the voice of young people.
November 8, 11:00: Training “Participation starts where it bothers you” – an opportunity to learn how to actively contribute to change.

Activities at Ciocana Youth Center:

November 5, 15:00: Street art drawing activity “Youth in my vision” – where young people will develop their artistic skills.
7 November, 15:30: Stand-up session “What’s up?”, a moment of humor and socializing.
November 8, 16:00: Movie night – an opportunity to relax and interact.
November 9, 17:30: Storytelling session – an activity to unite young people in the community.

Activities at the Riscani Youth Center:

November 5, 17:00: “Erudit Cafe” – a space where socializing is combined with intellectual activities.
November 7, 17:00: “Creative Recycling Fashion Show” – a fashion show with pieces made from recycled materials.
November 8, 17:00: Workshop “The Art of Handmade Things” – an activity dedicated to those passionate about handmade creativity.

All activities are free and aimed at young people aged between 14 and 35. The Youth Week is a great opportunity for young people in Chisinau to actively participate in the development of their community and get involved in projects that inspire and inspire them.

Youth Card – the new digital card for young people in Chisinau, to be launched by the Chisinau Municipal Youth Center in the mobile application “e-youth”

03/11/2024de victoria

Chisinau Municipal Youth Center is launching Youth Card, a unique digital card for young people between 14 and 35 years of age, which will give them access to exclusive discounts and benefits in many locations in Chisinau. Integrated into the e-Youth app, the Youth Card will become an essential tool for young people who want to enjoy varied experiences and accessibility to local products and services.

The initiative aims to involve local businesses and organizations – including cultural institutions, gyms, restaurants and cafés – to become Youth Card partners. They are invited to offer special discounts to card holders, benefiting from free exposure and promotion on the e-Youth app and associated website, which attract more than 20,000 unique visitors every month. Today, the platform already counts more than 3,000 young people with active accounts, a young and dynamic audience eager for social and cultural involvement in their community.

Benefits of the Youth Card partnership:

Wide exposure: Partners benefit from increased visibility among young people through the e-youth app.
Added value for the community: Youth Card aims to become a pillar of young people’s social life, giving them access to a variety of experiences.
Free promotion: Partner companies and organizations will be promoted free of charge in the app and at the Youth Card launch event, an excellent context for networking.

For details and partnerships, interested organizations are invited to contact the Chisinau Municipal Youth Centre at centru.chisinau@gmail.com or by phone 022 923 555.

Contribute to the success of Youth Card and become part of the community supporting young people in Chisinau!

Download the e-youth app on AppStore or Google Play.

Six organizations from Chisinau complete successful projects through the Municipal Grant Programme for Youth Organizations!

03/11/2024de victoria

Six organizations out of the 14 beneficiaries of the Municipal Grants Programme for Youth Organizations have recently completed their projects, actively contributing to the development and support of young people in Chisinau. The projects, on topics ranging from education and health to social inclusion and journalism, have brought significant benefits to the community.

The Moldovan Red Cross Society implemented the project “Safe City: Education and Training for Chisinau Youth in Disaster Management”, organizing seven trainings, an international camp and a conference to train young people in emergency management.

The NGO “MilleniuM” Development Training Institute addressed the issue of bullying through the project “Combating bullying through nonviolent communication”. Twenty young people participated in three outdoor training sessions, benefiting from mentoring and follow-up activities to prevent bullying behaviors.

Through the project “Be the #EatHeal Generation”, the Generations Heritage Association promoted a healthy lifestyle by organizing five culinary workshops in a competitive format, where students competed with teachers, encouraging healthy eating.

The Association of Intellectual Games of the Republic of Moldova carried out the project “DIALOGICA. Inclusion in action”, through which young people were involved in volunteering activities and promoting an active lifestyle, participating in five training sessions, mentoring and City Quests.

The Association for Development and Cooperation Moldova has opened new perspectives for young people in the field of journalism with the project “Internship Program in TV and Online Journalism for Youth: Urban Subculture”, giving participants the opportunity to create and broadcast original media materials.

Youth Resource Center “AVANTE” supported mental health through the project “AVANTE for Inclusion and Mental Health”. Twenty ambassadors were trained and organized mental health education sessions and a networking trip to Orheiul Vechi.

This year, the total budget of the Grants Programme was 2.5 million lei, and participating organizations were able to apply for grants of up to 200,000 lei for project implementation, showing an increased dedication to supporting young people in the capital.

Youth Worker Academy at Chisinau Municipal Youth Center: An important step to support young people

03/11/2024de victoria

Chisinau Municipal Youth Center hosted this weekend the Youth Worker’s Academy, an event for youth workers from the Chisinau Youth Centers Network, including suburbs. The Academy brought together specialists dedicated to working with young people to develop support strategies and effective collaborative activities.
The program included teambuilding sessions and discussions on youth-friendly working methods with the aim of team building and generating new ideas. In this context, the trainers Mihai Popescu, Alesea Frunze, Victoria Chicu and Ana Bezărău coordinated valuable sessions, emphasizing team cohesion, collaborative problem solving and developing emotional resilience. The Director of the Chisinau Municipal Youth Centre, Petru Grecu, completed the program with a session on the perspectives and challenges of organizational management in the youth sector.

ALSO READ: Don’t know what volunteering activity to do for the Volunteer Marathon? See the article for suggestions from the organizers.

Participants had the opportunity to develop new skills and strengthen their professional support network for young people in and around Chisinau. The Youth Worker’s Academy is a step forward in creating a community of professionals dedicated to the needs of young people, facilitating new methods of support and active involvement.

The Chisinau Municipal Youth Center continues to be actively involved in the training and support of youth workers, thus strengthening the network that works to meet the needs of young people throughout the community.

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Not sure what volunteering activity to do to take part in the Volunteer Marathon? Check the article for suggestions from the organizers.

03/11/2024de victoria

Young people aged between 14 and 35 are invited to participate in the Volunteer Marathon 2024, organized by the Chisinau Municipal Youth Centre. The event offers a unique opportunity to get involved in a variety of volunteering activities aimed at contributing to community transformation. The marathon is open to anyone who wants to make a positive change, regardless of their previous experience.

Diverse volunteering activities accessible to all

Participants can choose activities to suit their interests and abilities, including:

Greening actions – cleaning up public spaces, planting trees and collecting waste;
Support for the vulnerable – distributing food and clothing to those in need;
Education and mentoring – tutoring sessions, personal development workshops and educational activities;
Care for homeless animals – volunteering in animal shelters and adoption campaigns;
Community events – organizing fairs, sports and other local events.

Participation is open to individuals, organizations or initiative groups. Young people are also encouraged to document their activities and post them on social media using the hashtag #VolunteersMarathon2024. Photos of the activities should be sent to centru.chisinau@gmail.com by November 7, 2024.

In addition to the experience gained, participants can win prizes for their involvement. The most active people will be rewarded as follows:

First place: 5.000 lei
Second place: 3.000 lei
Third place: 1.000 lei

The winners will be announced on December 7, 2024 during the Municipal Festival of Volunteers, an event that will also include an award ceremony for the best photos posted on the social networks of the Chisinau Municipal Youth Center.

How to apply?

Young people interested in participating in the Volunteer Marathon 2024 are invited to register by filling in the online form available here.

Join the Volunteer Marathon and contribute to lasting change in your community!

“Invest in Yourself!”: Free personal development program for 18-35 year olds

03/11/2024de victoria

Chisinau Municipal Youth Center launches a free personal development program for young people aged 18 to 35, offering a unique opportunity to discover areas of interest, overcome their limits and develop the skills needed for professional and personal success.

The program consists of five interactive sessions and includes practical and dynamic activities, supported by experienced trainers who will guide participants in their chosen direction. Young people can choose their preferred field, tailoring the experience to their professional and personal goals.

What does the program offer?

Free interactive sessions: Five meetings structured in applied and customized activities to develop essential skills.
Top trainers: Participants will be mentored by professionals ready to provide the support and expertise they need.
Professional and personal development: Improve essential skills from communication and leadership to time management and creativity.

The organizers invite all those interested to fill in the registration form available here, stressing that places are limited and early registration is recommended.

For more information, young people can contact the Chisinau Municipal Youth Center.

“Discover Your Potential!”: Open registration for the free personal development program for young people aged 14 – 17!

03/11/2024de victoria

Chisinau Municipal Youth Center launches the registration for the Municipal Youth Personal Development Program for young people aged 14-17. The program offers the opportunity to explore various areas of interest and be guided by specialized trainers to help young people discover their potential and develop essential skills for personal and professional success.

Participants will benefit from five interactive sessions, structured in activities that encourage personal and professional development. Under the guidance of a trainer, young people have the freedom to choose their field of study, tailoring the experience to their own passions and goals.

“The programme is a unique opportunity for young people to get to know each other better and learn in a friendly and inspiring environment, ” said the organizers from the Chisinau Municipal Youth Centre.

Registration for the program is done by filling in an online form, accessible at the following link: registration form. Places are limited and organizers urge interested young people to hurry to ensure their participation.

For further details, please contact the Chisinau Municipal Youth Center.

Information on mental health, risk factors, warning signs and solutions

03/11/2024de victoria

What is mental health?

Mental health is not just the absence of disease, but an overall state of wellbeing that allows us to enjoy life, build healthy relationships and fulfill our potential.

Risk factors and warning signs

A variety of risk factors, such as academic stress, social pressure, hormonal changes, stressful life events and genetic predisposition, can contribute to the development of mental disorders in adolescents. It is important to watch out for warning signs such as:

Social withdrawal and withdrawal from usual activities
Sudden mood swings (euphoria, depression)
Difficulty concentrating and memory problems
Significant changes in eating or sleeping habits
Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety or anger
Recurrent negative thoughts or thoughts of self-harm

What to do if you are experiencing mental health problems:

Acknowledge the problem – The first step is to recognize that you need help. Don’t blame and don’t be ashamed.
Talk to someone – Share your feelings with someone you trust: a friend, family member, teacher or school counselor.
Seek professional help – A therapist or psychologist can give you the tools and support you need to cope.
Join a support group – Interacting with other people going through similar experiences can be very beneficial.
Look after yourself – Adopt a healthy lifestyle: get enough sleep, eat healthily, exercise regularly and limit alcohol and other substances.
Practice relaxation techniques – Mindfulness, meditation and deep breathing can help reduce stress and anxiety.

This information campaign is carried out within the project “AVANTE for Inclusion and Mental Health”, financially supported under the Municipal Grants Program for Youth Organizations in mun. Chisinau, launched by the General Directorate of Education, Youth and Sport and the Chisinau Municipal Youth Center under the aegis of the Chisinau City Hall.

The aim of this project was to increase the degree of community participation of young people in Chisinau municipality through activities promoting inclusion and mental health! See HERE a video about the project.

INTERVIEW: Victoria Gribinet, online specialist

03/11/2024de victoria

Why do youth workers and volunteers need to know about online safety?

Youth workers and volunteers need to know more about online safety as they are the ones who interact on a daily basis with young people, teenagers, children who might need their guidance, support, a trusted person.

What safety measures do you recommend to prevent digital sexual abuse?

First of all, let’s not forget that the internet is actually a public space. Even if we have a communication with a person in a private chat room, it remains. The internet remains in public space because anyone can access that conversation at any time. As a prevention, we should also try to protect ourselves when we send messages, distribute something on the Internet, whatever, to have some control questions, for example if I post this picture and it is seen for example by parents, would I be ok with that? If I post this picture or write this comment or whatever, in 5, 10 years from now will I be okay with this picture or this comment? If the answer is YES to both, then I think that would be a safer choice. If you answer NO or I don’t know or maybe, it would be good to maybe pause sending the message and reconsider. And that’s why it’s very important to talk about what we feel, how we feel online because even if the online environment is a space where we interact virtually, the impact of what happens online has a direct impact on our emotional state, on our well-being.

How can young people be encouraged to seek help if they feel they are being abused online?

Young people, children, teenagers who experience online abuse need to trust that they will be listened to, that they will not be judged, that the person they are confiding in will not make fun of their situation, will not minimize the situation and will try to help. We can encourage by our openness to talk about these topics, to show them that we are ready to talk about it, that we are not the people who will blame them or judge them for what they have done but we are the people they can talk to about how they feel and will always be on their side.

The interview is made after the Training Workshop entitled “Young men and women safe online”, which was attended by youth workers and volunteers from the Youth Centers in Chisinau. Read the article about the workshop HERE.

Halloween Carnival at the Chisinau Municipal Youth Center: Fun, Contests and Prizes on October 31

02/11/2024de victoria

Chisinau Municipal Youth Center is preparing a special Halloween event, giving young people the opportunity to get into the spooky fun atmosphere of the holiday. On October 31, starting at 17:00, all participants are invited to the Halloween Carnival, which will include a Costume Contest full of creativity and surprises.

The Competition’s challenges:

Costume Contest: Participants are encouraged to create and present their most unique and original costumes.
Character Presentation: Each participant will become their character and delight the audience with their story and charisma.
Make-up Competition: From classic styles to daring special effects, participants will have the opportunity to demonstrate spectacular make-up techniques.

Prizes: The competition will reward the best makeovers with attractive prizes:

1st place: 1000 lei
2nd place: 700 lei
3rd place: 500 lei

At the end of the evening, there will be a mini-concert, which promises to bring good entertainment and lots of surprises. Young people wishing to participate in the competition can register by filling in the online registration form.

Event details:

Date: October 31, 2024
Time: 17:00
Location: Chisinau Municipal Youth Center, M. Varlaam Street, 90

Don’t miss the chance to celebrate Halloween with friends in an unforgettable atmosphere! Come and show off your creativity and win special prizes!