Within the framework of a memorandum signed between the Youth Agency and the National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia (NALAG), a forum for municipal youth coordinators is being held in Tbilisi.
The four-day event aims to enhance participantsâ professional knowledge, facilitate the exchange of experiences among municipalities, and raise awareness on issues such as youth policy, youth engagement, and the development of volunteering.
The forum was opened by Vakhtang Baakashvili, the acting head of the Youth Agency, and Nino Rukhadze, the executive director of NALAG.
The head of the agency spoke about the importance of implementing youth-supporting projects and holding the forum. In her speech, Nino Rukhadze emphasized the significance of strengthening youth policy at the local level and the responsibility of municipalities in supporting youth, fostering their potential, and ensuring their involvement in local governance. The head of NALAG positively assessed the practical initiatives carried out at the Youth Agencyâs initiative and noted that the ongoing forum is a good example of support for municipalities.
âCooperation between the agency and municipalities already exists, but there are still many untapped opportunities to elevate these relations to a new, even more qualitative level. This is where the association sees its role and is ready to actively engage in developing this cooperation,â she stated.
Nino Rukhadze also noted that without the participation of local authorities, it is impossible to fully implement the goals and objectives of youth policy outlined in the stateâs strategic documents. At the same time, municipalities need continuous support to effectively fulfill these tasks.
âThe association is ready to contribute to this process. This is precisely the purpose of the memorandum signed between NALAG and the Youth Agency,â Nino Rukhadze remarked.
The forum is attended by coordinators employed in the mayorâs offices of 55 municipalitiesâindividuals responsible for planning and implementing youth programs, projects, and events at the local level.