Youth Advocacy for Local Affairs

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B NEXT Black Sea Basin

Date of latest update: 2026-09-07

Description

Description (EN):

Since 2002, the EU has established specific cooperation in youth policy, with an emphasis on active engagement and equal access to education, training, and employment. In 2018, the Council of Europe passed a joint resolution establishing an EU youth policy capable of addressing the issues and problems at hand. The goal is to increase young participation in decisions that affect them and the societies they live in. Youth in the programme's implementation areas confronts comparable challenges in education, employment, sustainable development, social justice, and its impacts. Taking these concerns into account, as well as the EU strategies to encourage youth participation in decision-making processes (EU Youth Strategy 2019-2024) and the BSB Programme's invitation to build mutual trust at cross-border level, we elaborate a comprehensive project that addresses challenges and tests intervention solutions for Youth Advocacy regarding local affairs, and transfer expertise from the Lead Partner to the rest of the consortium, while all with share youth solutions developed in different contexts. The Youth will have the word for their future. The main goal is to engage actively youth, which would also contribute to future development of the area of intervention as more will decide to stay and create in their homeland. The overall objective is to empower young people across borders to become informed advocates for positive change in their communities. Through training, collaboration, and action, YALA equips young citizens to identify local issues, develop solutions, and influence decision-making for a brighter future. Such intervention is ambitious to have significant impact on the long-lasting engagement of youth in the local affairs, through establishment of informal bodies and advocacy networks, development of resources and toolkits, and receive of supportfreely and without interferences by the local or regional authorities, for the benefit of all community actors.

Expected Achievements (EN):

Equip youth with advocacy skills (communication, research, project management) to effectively champion local issues. Foster collaboration & knowledge exchange among young people from different countries for broader perspectives. Empower youth to identify and analyze pressing issues within their local communities. Train youth to develop innovative and impactful solutions for identified local issues. Strengthen youth capacity to influence decision-making processes through effective advocacy strategies.

Project outputs: Participants in public events, workshops, network activities and design of local projects(EN)
Exchange study visits to all project partners(EN)
Policy Recommendations and Action Plans(EN)

Thematic information

Governance, partnership Education and training Community integration and common identity

Priority: (VI-B_BSB_P3) Competent and Resilient Region

Priority specific objective: ISO6.3. Build up mutual trust, in particular by encouraging people-to-people actions (strands A, D and, where appropriate, strand B)

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO6 (ISO1) A better cooperation governance

Type of intervention: 173 Enhancing institutional capacity of public authorities and stakeholders to implement territorial cooperation projects and initiatives in a cross-border, transnational, maritime and inter-regional context

Partners (4)

Lead Partner: Δήμος Παγγαίου

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 938280322

Partner’s ID if not PIC: EL 997732707

Address: Fr. Papachristidis, 64100 Eleftheroupolis, Greece

Department address: Fr. Papachristidis, 64100 Eleftheroupolis, Greece

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.dimospaggaiou.gr

Total budget: EUR 164 673.60

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 148 206.24

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 90.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 16 467.36

Դիլիջանի համայնքային կենտրոնը

Name: Դիլիջանի համայնքային կենտրոնը

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 878545394

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 07623365

Address: Getapnya street, 3903 Dilijan, Armenia

Department address: Getapnya street, 3903 Dilijan, Armenia

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://dcc.am/

Total budget: EUR 122 136.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 109 922.40

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 90.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 12 213.60

ОБЩИНА СТАРА ЗАГОРА

Name: ОБЩИНА СТАРА ЗАГОРА

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 936664690

Partner’s ID if not PIC: BG000818022

Address: boul. Tsar Simeon Veliki, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

Department address: boul. Tsar Simeon Veliki, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://www.burgas.bg/bg/

Total budget: EUR 123 648.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 111 283.20

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 90.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 12 364.80

იაკობ გოგებაშვილს სახელობის თელავის სახელმწიფო უნივერსიტეტი

Name: იაკობ გოგებაშვილს სახელობის თელავის სახელმწიფო უნივერსიტეტი

Department: Internationalization and Public Affairs Office

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 935168465

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 231187168 | 231187168 | Organization ID- OID- E10182392 (EN)

Address: Kartuli universiteti, 2200 Telavi, Georgia

Department address: Kartuli universiteti, 2200 Telavi, Georgia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.tesau.edu.ge

Total budget: EUR 121 912.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 109 720.80

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 90.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 12 191.20

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Dilijan Community Center

Youth Advocacy for Local Affairs

Partners and Projects info

Stara Zagora Municipality

Youth Advocacy for Local Affairs

Partners and Projects info

Iakob Gogebashvili Telavi State University

Youth Advocacy for Local Affairs

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Paggaio

Youth Advocacy for Local Affairs

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Youth Advocacy for Local Affairs

Project acronym: YALA

Project ID: BSB01271

Project start date: 2026-05-01

Project end date: 2027-10-31

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

European Charter (Revised) on the Participationof Young People in Local and Regional Life“Have Your Say!” by the Council of Europe (CoE), founded in 1949 with 46 countries (including all YALA partner countries) (EN) | This initiative of the CoE (International Organisation independent from EU and official observer of UN), promotes the principles of Youth participation in local & regional affairs as central to any work done to promote participation in general; the engagement of the authorities to take into account the needs & views of young people, in collaboration & consultation with them; and young people from different backgrounds and situations to be encouraged and supported to participate. (EN), Be Seen Be heard initiative by the United Nations Youth Office (EN) | This campaign initiative of UN promotes the participation of young people in the local, regional, and international affairs, particularly as the decisions made, are for the future on Earth impacting young people the most, who too often are excluded from the decision-making.
It promotes the participation of young people as they “have the energy, knowledge and creativity needed to tackle some of the world’s most pressing problems” and “partnerships across sectors and generations”.
(EN), Youth Leaders for the SDGs (Sustainable Development Gals) of the United Nations (EN) | This initiative promotes the young change-makers for their leadership and contribution to a more sustainable world, on topics from food to fashion to finance.
As a community, they work to support efforts to engage young people in the realization of the SDGs both through strategic opportunities with the UN and through their existing initiatives, platforms and networks.
Among others, they advocate for the goals in the most accessible and relatable ways to young people across different contexts.
(EN), Youth Council of the Municipality of Paggaio (EN) | TThe Youth Council of the Municipality of Paggaio operates for over 4 years, with intervention in the local affairs, speak, learning (e.g. for sustainable and durable project after the end of their funding period through the KEEP ON project funded by INTERREG EUROPE) participation in EU projects and exchanges with the administrative support of the local authority (i.e. Cities4Her; XpresssJunior, co-funded by the CERV Programme and partly by Municipal funds). (EN), Cities4Her, co-funded by the CERV programme and partly by Municipal funds (EN) | The project addresses youth’s role and particularly that of young women as enablers of sustainable change for inclusive local governance, and the establishment of a pilot operation of an intermunicipal forum for substantive gender equality in local decision-making, led by youth (aged 18-30). (EN), XpressJunior, co-funded by the CERV programme and partly by Municipal funds (EN) | The project addresses the protection and promotion of children's rights in order to promote and strengthen the participation of children and adolescents in decision-making processes at local level. Among others, it the needs of children and adolescents for their active participation in decision-making processes at the local level, with an emphasis on issues of inter-community/institutional dialogue. (EN), AER Youth Regional Network (YRN), created by the Assembly of European Regions (AER) in 2008 (EN) | YRN is a cross-regional initiative platform promoting active youth participation at regional level. Composed of youth regional/county councils, youth organisations, and of young people joining on an individual basis, the YRN provides young people with opportunities to express policy recommendations, foster debate and capacity-building, exchange good practices, to reach out decision-makers and influence policies. Its activities include capacity-building, debates, workshops, policy work, elaboration of toolkits and statements, exchange of best practices, international events, etc. with the aim to make youth voices heard in regional and European policy-making, and in providing young people from all over Europe with a platform to meet, exchange views and learn from one another.
YALA approach is aligned with YRN and its activities create precious synergies with the initiative of AER, with the expectation to join efforts through a memorandum of cooperation that could be agreed in the future.
(EN), Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Council of Europe by the Council of Europe (CoE), founded in 1949 with 46 countries (including all YALA partner countries) (EN) | The purpose of the Convention is to promote, protect and ensure the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities.
YALA emphasis on inclusivity aligns with the Convention’s core principle of non-discrimination and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities. It can ensure its activities are accessible and welcoming to young people with disabilities, promoting their participation and leadership within the project. Furthermore, it equips young people with the skills and confidence to address issues of discrimination faced by young people with disabilities and advocate for change (i.e. empowering for young people with disabilities, allowing them to advocate for their rights, accessibility needs, and inclusion within their communities).
By fostering collaboration among young people with and without disabilities, YALA promotes a more inclusive and understanding society, with the project’s paradigm.
(EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 532 369.60

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 479 132.64

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 90.00%

Co-financing sources:

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

SeaBasinStrategyBlackSea YALA project does not have direct links to CMA, but it has some potential connections with the strategy.
It includes partners and target groups of Coastal Communities, and they can address some of the CMA's goals related to healthy marine ecosystems and sustainable blue economy practices.
Furthermore, the young change makers may consider including a specific focus on Black Sea environmental issues as part of their local advocacy efforts.
EUStrategyDanubeRegion EUSDR PA2.Advocacy on climate change and regional energy policies, aligns with EUSDR's goal to increase energy efficiency.
EUSDR PA3.Its advocacy on local heritage preservation indirectly contributes to EUSDR's goal of promoting cultural tourism
EUSDR PA4 Advocacy on water quality is in line with the EUSDR’s goal for reduction of pollutants in the water and recovery of black sea ecosystems.
EUSDR PA6.Addressing biodiversity issues is in line with the EUSDR to preserve biodiversity.
EUSDR PA9.Advocacy on skills and capacity in the modern world, is in line with the EUSDR goal for “People and Skills”
EUStrategyAdriaticIonianRegion (i) Youth advocacy in coastal communities can promote sustainable fisheries, responsible tourism practices, or marine pollution awareness campaigns, directly aligning with EUSAIR's goals for a healthy and productive Adriatic and Ionian Sea
(Blue Growth – Pillar 1).
(ii) YALA activities focused on environmental issues contribute to EUSAIR goals
(Environmental Quality – Pillar 3).
(iii) Addressing responsible tourism practices, cultural preservation, or heritage awareness within EUSAIR countries indirectly contribute to this pillar
(Sustainable Tourism – Pillar 4).
Other The YALA project aligns with the EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027 by contributing to its core areas of action:
Engage (fosters youth participation in local affairs by equipping them with the knowledge and skills to advocate for positive change), Connect (cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange among young people from different countries), and Empower (developing advocacy skills, fostering leadership qualities, and providing them with tools to influence local decision-making).
Other The YALA project aligns with the EU Green Deal (a package of policy initiatives which aims to set the EU on the path to a green transition, with the ultimate goal of reaching climate neutrality by 2050).
The YALA project equips young people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to advocate for environmental sustainability in their communities, and through addressing local environmental issues contributed to tackling global environmental challenges, addressed by the EU Green Deal. Furthermore, it fosters cross-border collaboration among young people, allowing them to share best practices and innovative solutions for tackling environmental issues, aligning with the EU Green Deal approach of international cooperation. Through advocacy efforts, YALA participants can influence local decision-makers and hold authorities accountable for implementing policies aligned with the EU Green Deal’s objectives.
Other The YALA project aligns with and contributes to the EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change (how EU can adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change and become climate resilient by 2050).
The YALA project empowers young people to identify and address local climate vulnerabilities within their communities and advocate for effective climate adaptation measures, raise awareness about climate change impacts and the importance of adaptation.
YALA activities can be tailored to address specific areas of focus outlined in the EU adaptation strategy. This could involve promoting nature-based solutions for flood protection, advocating for climate-resilient infrastructure development, or raising awareness about water conservation strategies in drought-prone regions.
Finaly, YALA helps to build a generation of future leaders prepared to address the ongoing challenges of climate change.
Other The YALA project aligns with the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 (a comprehensive, long-term plan for protecting nature and reversing the degradation of ecosystems, aims to put Europe's biodiversity on a path to recovery by 2030 with benefits for people, the climate and the planet).
The YALA project equips young people with the skills and knowledge to advocate for pressing biodiversity issues within their communities (e.g. advocating for the protection of endangered species or natural habitats, promoting sustainable land management practices, raising awareness about the importance of biodiversity).
Also, through advocacy campaigns and workshops, the YALA projectcan contribute to raising public awareness about the importance of biodiversity and the threats it faces. Finally, YALA fosters collaboration among young people from different regions, to share best practices and knowledge for tackling biodiversity challenges, potentially leading to innovative solutions with wider applicability.
Other The YALA project aligns strongly with the New European Bauhaus - NEB (a creative and interdisciplinary initiative that connects the European Green Deal to our living spaces and experiences).
It equips young people to advocate for solutions that address local issues in a way that is both sustainable (environmentally friendly) and beautiful (aesthetically pleasing, user-friendly, and contributes to a positive quality of life).
YALA participants identify local needs and advocate for solutions aligned with the NEB's emphasis on a user-centered approach. YALA supports advocacy skills for young people that can be applied to promoting creative solutions and advocating for design approaches that improve their communities.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:
RCO 081 - Participations in joint actions across borders, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 084 - Organisations cooperating across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:
RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSDR

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSAIR

EUSAIR Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSAIR Degree of compliance:

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B NEXT Black Sea Basin

Latest month of project-partner-call data publication

2026-09

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

83 / 83 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

373 / 374 (99.73%)

Notes on the data

There are discrepancies in this programme's financial data in keep.eu. Namely, in one or more cases, the sum of the project partners' budgets exceeds the total budget of the respective project. Interact is working with the Programme to correct those figures.

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Youth Advocacy for Local Affairs

Description

Thematic information

Partners (4)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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