SAYP: Inclusive Youth Work and Leadership in the Eastern Partnership
This programme strengthens young civil society professionals in Eastern Partnership countries by providing inclusive leadership training, practical tools, and cross-border collaboration opportunities to enhance youth inclusion and reduce barriers to participation across diverse communities.
Project Summary
Project period: February 2024 – October 2025
Partners: Armenian Progressive Youth NGO
Funded by: Swedish Institute
In a rapidly changing world, it is important to recognise changing forms of youth engagement and the reasons that drive youth to participate. To address this, Fryshuset, with the support of the Swedish Institute (SI) and in partnership with Armenian Progressive Youth (APY), offers the SAYP programme for participants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.
The programme is designed to strengthen the capacity of civil society organisations in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries to develop and implement innovative solutions to youth inclusion. It equips participants with tools to facilitate youth participation in diverse settings and practices.
The programme strengthens the ability of young professionals and organisations working with and for youth to:
- Work with inclusive and diversity-sensitive methods;
- Provide participants with tools to facilitate youth participation in diverse settings and practices, focusing on identifying and reducing obstacles to participation;
- Develop young people’s skills and competencies to engage effectively;
- Create synergies to ensure youth have access to resources and diverse arenas of participation.
The programme is delivered through a mix of online and onsite trainings.
Context and Challenges
Current challenges of conflict, destabilisation, migration, and displacement in the EaP region directly impact how youth participate in diverse arenas of engagement. These include:
- Formal settings — schools, higher education, and political institutions;
- Informal settings — youth centres, civil society initiatives, and online spaces.
Civil society organisations play a key role in bridging the gap between formal and informal engagement. Building partnerships across sectors and developing innovative ideas to promote diverse youth participation are essential.
In times of crisis and conflict, it becomes even more important to build an organisational culture rooted in transparency, openness, and understanding of diversity. In the EaP region, there is a growing need to strengthen the capacities of young professionals and equip them with tools and strategies to deliver inclusive, high-quality youth work.
Activities
The SAYP programme is structured around three key blocks to facilitate youth participation, targeting impact on the individual, organisational, and community levels.
The programme combines trainings, workshops, and networking opportunities. Participants take part in:
- Lectures and workshops on personal development, leadership, diversity, belonging, and inclusion;
- Experiential learning sessions focused on inclusive leadership tools and organisational analysis;
- Group discussions and interactive exercises to identify organisational needs and develop strategies for youth participation;
- Networking events, cross-sector workshops, and best-practice exchanges to create sustainable collaborations.
Impact
Insights from previous rounds show that the programme has equipped young professionals with practical tools to support youth participation by identifying and addressing barriers, building competences, and creating synergies that give young people access to diverse arenas of engagement.
A strong focus on diversity-sensitive methods and inclusive leadership helped organisations respond effectively to complex needs in rapidly changing contexts.
Participants also highlight the value of peer learning, structured reflection, and networking. They emphasise that the blend of theory, group work, and case studies was particularly impactful.
“I am more inclusive and just love this style of leadership!”
Updates & Reports
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Contact
📧 For more information or to get involved, contact us at: development@fryshuset.se
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@fryshusetglobal & @fryshusetyouthmobility