Batumi Youth Bank Creates Community Activists
Mariam Mkhatvari is a member of the Batumi Youth Bank. She looks younger than 16, but when she speaks her voice is clear and confident. “Since becoming a member of the Youth Bank almost a year ago, I’ve learned to be a leader and how to express my own ideas.” The Youth Bank trainings built off of her energy and enthusiasm: “I share my new knowledge about ways to solve the community’s problems with everyone…. neighbors, adults, and my friends and relatives. I tell my parents and other adults that even young people can make changes in their own community. Now am more confident and determined about my future”.
Mariam was able to demonstrate her newfound confidence during the Georgian Youth Bank delegation’s visit to the Azerbaijan Youth Fund project. Using her skills in negotiation and discussion, she established friendly relationships with her Azeri counterparts and now they have many exciting plans for future cooperation between the two parallel projects.
Through their participation in the Youth Bank project, Mariam and her friends are finding it within themselves to change their own lives and community for the better. They are excited and enthusiastic about the changes they see in themselves and the community, and recognize that they can make a difference.
2010 Small Grants Competition to Empower Citizens through Participatory Civic Monitoring and Advocacy
The winners of the 2010 competition for small grants
Grant Competition: Open Door
The winners of the grant 2010 Grant Competition
