World YWCA announces the five grantees of the Global Youth Mobilization’s National Project Funding
Driving change through the activation of youth by funding Big 6 national organisations and networks is at the heart of the Global Youth Mobilization (GYM). By critically supporting and sustaining investments in youth and taking action for response and recovery of COVID-19, the Global Youth Mobilization initiative is not just reducing the post pandemic impact on youth and communities, but investing in youth-led innovative solutions on-the-ground.
As a part of the WHO supported USD 1.2 million support through national projects, the Global Youth Mobilization initiative is investing in these types of projects with the Big 6 Youth Organisations.
We received an overwhelming response in response to the Call for Proposals made to the national and local YWCAs applying for the funding.
Following feminist funding principles and focusing on initiatives with youth-led elements, a panel of young women selected five projects for national funding. These grants aim to provide young people with the skills, resources and knowledge to make change in their local communities and develop innovative solutions to the impact of COVID-19.
- The project aims to promote the leadership of girls, part of various socio-economic groups, by creating up to 12 Girls’ Clubs across Albania (Berat, Shkoder and Durrës), to address and respond effectively to sensitive issues heightened by Covid-19, such as mental health, reproductive health, self-image, gender-based violence, gender-based stereotypes, the impact of lockdown, etc.
- The purpose is to give a strong voice and a safe space to young girls to increase their resilience, advocate for leadership and create strategies to overcome challenges and address different forms of violence, with a special focus on cyber and gender violence.’
- Through the project, young women’s leadership skills will be promoted, nurtured and grown to create a significant impact on development and inclusion in light of COVID-19. The improved self-image and confidence will be key to challenge gender-based and online violence, reduce impact on mental health and also have them access health services based on their unique needs.