On April 26, 2024, the Final Event of the "I Participate & I Decide" Project took place, bringing together young people, civil society, and local decision-makers to discuss the challenges faced by the youth of Roșiorii de Vede.
The "I Participate & I Decide" Project is an Erasmus+ participation project organized by Filiala Asociației Se Poate. The project aims at promoting youth involvement in local decision-making processes. After more than a year of collaborative activities with enthusiastic young participants, the final event marked the culmination of the project, presenting the most significant outcome: the Youth Strategy of Roșiori de Vede Municipality for 2024-2027.
Activities commenced in 2023 and 2024, culminating in the proposal of 7 impactful objectives to local decision-makers through the Youth Strategy:
1. Establishing a study space for young people.
2. Facilitating entertainment and socialization opportunities for youth.
3. Enhancing educational access by modernizing classrooms, rehabilitating or constructing laboratories and sports facilities.
4. Ensuring efficient street lighting throughout the city.
5. Promoting selective waste collection and recycling in Roșiorii de Vede.
6. Providing accessible school transportation.
7. Creating a dedicated space for youth to engage in extracurricular activities for developing transversal skills.
The Youth Strategy can be accessed on the website of the Se Poate Association's Branch: https://filialasepoate.ro/.
The journey began with workshops organized in collaboration with the Anastasescu National College and the "Virgil Madgearu" Technological High School in June-July, where young participants explored concepts of democracy, local and national decision-making processes, and various community challenges faced by the youth of Roșiori. Subsequently, they convened in a mobility event in September 2023, in the form of a camp, where young participants deepened their understanding of active citizenship and identified the most pressing issues within their community. This was just the starting point for nurturing young individuals eager to make a difference.
Throughout the year, the NGO conducted several activities. The Final Event commenced with volunteers presenting the Youth Strategy of Roșiori de Vede Municipality for 2024-2027 to the community, civil society, and local decision-makers.
The gathering was more than just an event; it was an opportunity to unite energies and visions for the future of the Roșiori de Vede community. The generous feedback from the guests and the commitment of local decision-makers are clear evidence that the voices of young people and civil society are heard and taken seriously on the path towards change and progress. Local decision-makers declared that there are already approved projects supporting the Youth Strategy.
The PhotoVoice exhibition was an emotional journey through images, a visual narrative of the challenges we face every day. Through the eyes of the youth, the participants witnessed how the 7 identified issues in our strategy impact their lives and community. It was a moment of introspection and awareness of our common needs and aspirations.
The final part of the event, the public cafe with local decision-makers, was a crucial step towards closer collaboration between youth and decision-makers. Discussions on the importance of voting and ways to build strong relationships between youth and authorities fueled captivating and substantive exchanges of ideas.
Se Poate Branch volunteers demonstrated unwavering dedication and commitment to every aspect of this project. They are the heart and strength behind each activity and deserve all our praise and gratitude.
The NGO thanks to the guests for their valuable contributions and for helping shape a better future for Roșiori de Vede. Every contribution, every idea, and every step brings them closer to the tangible changes that they desire in the community.
The "I Participate & I Decide" Project is funded through the Erasmus+ program of the European Union.
For more information about the Se Poate Association's Branch, you can scan the following QR codes:
