Youth can make a change, that is what we always like to say. But how? When? For what?

These were some questions that our members Marija Krstevska, Byrgjil Saliu and Nami Isaki tried to answer by joining a long-term project which had 2 mobilities, one in February in Belgrade and 1 in March in Madrid. The project, titled “Youth can make change”, is implemented by VEGA Youth Centre from Belgrade, Serbia. Besides CID; there were 10 other organisations from 11 European countries.

The first training in Belgrade was focused on DESIGN FOR CHANGE – thinking methods. We learned how to think in creative ways and how to develop creative skills and to encourage the innovativeness of youth workers and teachers to identify needs and problems of young people.

In the 2nd training, we were part of the “I Can Lab”, where we learned more about the methodology of Design for Change, and had chance to meet with Kiran Bir Sethi, the founder of DFC Global network. At the end of the 2nd training, together with the other participants, we developed a work plan which includes organising workshops and activities in our local communities.

With the motivation from both trainings, the CID team prepared different activities which were held in Kumanovo with volunteers and youth workers. The first workshop was organized during summer where young people learned more about Design thinking methods and had the chance to watch Kiran’s TED talk and her motivation for DFC. In this workshop we also presented the I CAN Lab. In this one-day workshop, the participants were presented with some new skills which were developed during the trainings in Belgrade and Madrid.

Besides this workshop, another one is planned to be held with youth workers and teachers in Kumanovo during December, so they can learn more about DFC methods, especially how they can implement activities in their Youth centres and schools.

On the 7th of October, CID held a presentation of its activities in the Town Hall of Kumanovo. In this presentation, Nami and Marija used the chance to present the DFC methods on global level and to explain the collaboration of CID with DFC Global.

The last part of this project will be held on February 2018 in Belgrade, which will include the evaluation meeting and the presentation of the results.

More information about the project can be found here and on Facebook.