The second edition of YMCA Europe Generation Next project got off a very active start in Georgia. YMCA Georgia has identified and selected 9 participants that will be eligible for 2024-2025 scholarships in exchange for certain number of hours and general commitment to the activities of the organization throughout the year.
Reflecting the true nature of the Georgian society’s fabric, 6 Georgian, 2 Armenian and 1 Azerbaijani participants hailing from different regional and social backgrounds embarked on a journey that saw them attend two online induction meetings and engage in the series of residential activities implemented at YMCA Georgia “Camp Orange” in July – August 2024 period.
Online induction meetings served the purpose to better introduce the participants to each other and to the guidelines and requirements of the Generation Next project, as well as to jointly elaborate future action plans and ascribe specific tasks to each scholarship recipient during the upcoming activities.
Some of the project beneficiaries attended the “Young Leaders Training Camp” on July 24 – 31, 2024 that aimed to improve the leadership and communication skills of those present and to equip them with necessary skillset that is essential to become the leader of the organization. Each Generation Next scholarship recipient had specific tasks to complete and to demonstrate the eagerness and motivation to be a person that is capable to carry on the legacy created by the previous generation of leaders – showcasing the values of integrity, honesty, care and trust.
Soon after, “Multinational Georgia” camp brought together all nine Generation Next stipend recipients together with another 35 young people of ethnic Georgian, Armenian and Azerbaijani origin to spend one week full of immersion, integration and sharing together during August 08-14, 2024. The project aims to strengthen the ties between three major ethnicities living in Georgia via fostering the principles of understanding and support. As during the previous camp session, each project beneficiary had to carry out specific responsibilities previously assigned to them by the camp leadership team. Some of them facilitated the workshop sessions, while others took charge of leading quiz night, sports or cultural evening, etc.
Overall, the initial year of Generation Next has been a total success with a new edition of participants fully immersed into the program, grasping the significance of team work, collaboration and diversity.
The best is yet to come!
