EU4Youth Alumni Network concludes 2024-2025 cycle with final evaluation event in Georgia
From 11 to 14 July, the Georgian capital Tbilisi welcomed over 45 young changemakers from five Eastern Partnership countries for the final evaluation event of the EU4Youth Alumni Network 2024-2025 cycle. The gathering marked the conclusion of a 10-month journey that empowered young leaders to drive positive change in their communities and beyond.
Launched in October 2024, this cycle of the EU4Youth Alumni Network supported the participants in developing and implementing small-scale, community-based initiatives. With guidance from experienced mentors, the alumni worked in small teams, often just two or three people, to address real challenges faced by disadvantaged youth in their regions. The initiatives addressed a wide range of themes – from women’s leadership and economic inclusion to academic support and AI literacy.
Their collective impact was remarkable: more than 600 young people were directly engaged, many of them girls and youth from rural or disadvantaged backgrounds. By partnering with local organisations, alumni expanded their outreach and built inclusive networks that championed empathy and trust. Many of the initiatives created safe spaces where young people felt empowered to express themselves, develop confidence, and form lasting peer connections.
“The EU4Youth Alumni Network gave us confidence to believe in change,” said Gloria Cheptea and Vera Modvala from Moldova. “It showed that even small actions can have a big impact, especially when working with vulnerable groups. We learned to listen, lead with empathy, and transform challenges into meaningful initiatives.”
The event featured over 25 youth-led projects presented in small, interactive groups. This peer-to-peer format encouraged deep engagement, exchange of ideas, and constructive feedback. An ‘open space’ session provided alumni with the chance to explore future opportunities, including EU-funded programmes and fellowships, and to reflect on lessons learned during the cycle. Many participants identified new strategies for overcoming local obstacles, such as navigating administrative barriers or engaging education institutions more effectively.
Behrooz Motamed-Afshari, EU4Youth Coordination and Policy Support project Team Leader, highlighted the dedication of the participants: “It is amazing that these young people devoted their free time to finding creative solutions and never gave up. This shows that when young people care, they can make incredible things happen.”
During the final event, alumni shared powerful stories of progress, lessons learned, and aspirations for the future.
The EU4Youth Alumni Network is managed by the EU4Youth Coordination and Policy Support project, in close cooperation with SALTO Eastern Europe and Caucasus and its network of Information Centres for Erasmus+ Youth in Action and the European Solidarity Corps, and the EU Neighbours East project.
Learn more about the Alumni Network: euneighbourseast.eu/youth/eu4youth-alumni-network/
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