YOUTH BANK ARMENIA

Where and what is Armenia?

Where and what is Armenia?

• South Caucasus, bordered with Georgia, Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan.

• Population over 3 mln people in Armenia, 9 mln. Diaspora – USA, Canada, Australia, Europe, Middle East etc.

• Religion – Christian Orthodox – adopted in 301

• Capital – Yerevan, with more than 1 mln population ( pictures of Armenia)

What are the needs of young people in Armenia

• Better employment opportunities•Better access to education• Higher motivation and self esteem• Better access to information technologies• More demand-oriented skills for the job market

Yeva, 24 An economistA caring auntMartuni , Armenia

Garnik, 20 An actorFuture Hollywood

Star Vanadzor, Armenia

Alla, 19 A lawyerFull of SmileGyumri,

Armenia

Lilit, 21Sociologist Future Condoleezza

RiceCharentsavan, Armenia

Liana, 23 Sculptor A working engineVanadzor,

Armenia

What brings all these different young people

together?

It’s So Simple - the

Why did the Youth Bank come to Armenia?

• Regional priority for Eurasia Partnership Foundation – project piloted in Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia.

• National Youth Survey, 2006 – showed biggest problems of rural youth is lack of employment, skills and access to education and leisure opportunities

• Lack of practical application of skills, no money is trusted to youth to manage

• Lack of motivation to participate in local processes, sense of apathy among rural young population

• Lack of youth-to-youth approach in development projects

• Availability of partners readiness and willingness to pilot the project

The journey of the YB in Armenia

• Selection of 5 Partner Organizations

• Announcement of open call for volunteers in the YB project

• Selection of 35 YB committee members

• 5-day workshop with the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland

The journey of the YB in

ArmeniaWork in Youth Bank Committees:

• Community Needs Assessments, setting criteria and priorities

• PR activities – Radio, local newspapers, posters, community events, schools/colleges, meetings

• Proposal review – Screening/Interview/Scoring

• Saying YES and NO to proposals

The journey of the YB in Armenia

• Contract signing, checks distribution/ community events

• Program and Financial monitoring

• Reporting• Celebration/ Conference• 5 Workshops• Strategy development…

Additional skills gained during 5 workshops

• Leadership• What is the Perfect Community• How to communicate better• How to work better in groups• The project cycle• How to work with potential donors

/understanding philanthropy• How to make a Power Point Presentation• Creative thinking• How to plan your work or work your plan• How to monitor the projects• How to write project reports• YB skills matrix

Community Projects funded by YBsIntellectual Games in 10 villages of Shirak

regionIntellectual Games with 4 Colleges of

Martuni

Community Projects funded by YBsPublication of Economics Journal by

Students

Community Projects funded by YBsRevived Harvest Ritual in Martuni

Community Projects funded by YBsRehabilitated school/college parks

Community Projects funded by YBsCarpentry Training for children

Community Projects funded by YBs

!!! Achievements

• 200 proposals received and reviewed• 20 media coverage about YB activities via TV and newsletter• 20 Community projects funded/underway• 30 YB members got employed after involving in YB• 250 young people carried out community projects• 1000 young people participated in community projects• More than 2500 people benefited from community projects• 10 000 USD fund disbursed and administered• 3 YB members got married• 5 new YB members selected• 3 organizations interested in applying YB model• 1 YB member proposed to Gyumri Municipality Elderly Council• 5 YB members became certified trainers through a TOT• YB effects spread on nearly 30 villages• YB budget increased by nearly 50%

They are the leaders of today and tomorrow

Thank you ALL for your contribution,

good thoughts,listening,

asking questions,making friends,

and making this happen….

IF you want to contact us…

Eurasia Partnership Foundation Armenia

+ 374-10- 58-60-95

www.epfound.am

E-mail: gmkrtchyan@epfound.am