PROJECT PHASE III
The Roots for Reconciliation project implementation plan for 2016 – 2019 presumed three sets of activities:
- Peace Work Institute (PWI);
- Local Capacities for Peace Seed Grant Tool (LCP SGT);
- Reflecting on Peace Practices Process (RPP Process).
1. PEACE WORK INSTITUTE
The Peace Work Institute was designed for capacity building of youth opinion leaders from the conflict affected regions in Europe as well as Middle East, including:
- Three one-week-long training seminars:
– Tbilisi, Georgia 2017;
– Berlin, Germany 2017; - Home-work tasks in between;
- Tandem Grant Tool for successful graduates to implement cross-border initiatives:
– Peace, eActivism & Campaigning Education (P.E.A.C.E.) Project - Budapest, Hungary 2018;
– Art4Peace - Ureki, Georgia 2018;
Reunion to evaluate the results of the scheme:
– Toledo, Spain 2019;
2. LOCAL CAPACITIES FOR PEACE SEED GRANT TOOL
The Local Capacities for Peace Seed Grant Tool (LCP SGT) concept has been developed based on the best practices of the previous two project phases. It aimed at strengthening the local capacities for peace in the region of South Caucasus, through structured follow-up of the RfR PWI alumni and continued cross-border and regional cooperation further opening up the capacities built and benefits created by the RfR so far, both human resources and assets considered.
In the 3rd phase of Roots project (2016-2019) a total of 9 projects were granted:
- C.A.M.P. - Georgia, 2019;
- Peace Days in Summer Camps - Ukraine, 2019;
- The Camp for Change - Karabakh, 2019;
- Camp Awesome - Armenia, 2018;
- Camp for Life - Karabakh, 2018;
- Impulse for Cross-boarding Dialogue - Belarus, 2018;
- Roads Towards Peace - Georgia 2017;
- Camp for Hope - Karabakh, 2017;
- Live&Love - Armenia 2017;
Also, both at the beginning of the project and at the end, two Forums were organized:
- Local Capacitities for Peace Forum - Georgia 2016 - where the general roadmap of actions for the next three years of the project implementation period was discussed and agreed;
- Local Capacitities for Peace Forum - Karabakh 2019 - a meeting to revisit and present respective projects implemented by attending organizations in 2017 & 2018; to receive updates about ongoing Roots for Reconciliation Project Survey & future plans beyond 2019.
3. REFLECTING ON PEACE PRACTICES WORKSHOP
Amidst increasingly worrying tendencies of rift and division in Europe, it was perhaps rather symbolic to organize YMCA Europe Roots for Reconciliation Project “Reflecting on Peace Practices” Workshop in Brussels.
24 key-stakeholders from 15 countries came together - a strong manifestation of unity and fellowship by itself – supported by content and narrative of the workshop.
INTERNATIONAL
Through the project third phase 18 different regional or international service learning activities were held, enrolling 595 participants from 31 countries all over the world.
DONORS
The 2016 – 2019 project phase budget was EUR 620’000, with the following key donors:
- Bread for the World (EED Germany);
- Council of Europe / European Youth Foundation;
- CVJM Germany World Service;
OUTCOME EVALUATION
"The assessment found that the Roots for Reconciliation project met the intended objectives measured against the achievement indicators. The 'learning content' transferred in the project activities is highly relevant for the participants as well as their social environment.
The project design combines 'collaborative learning' and 'collaborative action' and is thereby very effective. The project impact goes well beyond changes at the individual and personal level through learning, attitude and behaviour changes. In a large number of cases participants felt sufficiently empowered and confident to initiate their own activities. In quite a few cases these initiatives resulted in institutional structural change by either changing existing organizations in what they do and how they do it. In some cases new organizations grew from the effort. These effects that go way beyond individual personal changes provide for the project sustainability.
In addition, third parties have raised money or provided support in kind to contribute to project activities. This has contributed to the project efficiency."