“Bridge to the Future” Youth NGO was represented in the international youth forum.
Javahir Alakbarli, representative of the “Bridge to the Future” Youth Public Union, represented our organization at the youth forum “Level Up!” organized in the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, on April 13-14, 2024. Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, on April 13-14, 2024. LevelUP! is aimed at everyone who aspires to make a positive change on the issues they care about. The forum strongly encourages people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, genders and people living with disabilities to join and are committed to making LevelUP! an inclusive and accessible event. Within the framework of the project, Javahir met with 1,300 young leaders from different European countries. She participated in interactive sessions organized by experienced experts and organization representatives on the development of communication, public advocacy and organizational skills for young people. It should be noted that the event was jointly organized by the European Youth Forum, the European Youth Event and the European Parliament.
A new project related to international cooperation opportunities launched in Ganja.
The first stage of the project “Support for the expansion of international cooperation opportunities of the higher educational institutions of Azerbaijan in the regions” started. The project is funded by the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan and implemented by the “Bridge to the Future” Youth Public Union. The aim of the project is to increase employees’ skills and knowledge of higher education institutions located in the region in order to take advantage of international opportunities, including the formation of relevant skills. In the opening event of the project, MP (deputy) – Parvin Karimzada, board member of the “Bridge to the Future” YPU, Seymur Valiyev, and head of the Innovation Department of the Azerbaijan Technology University – Shamo Salayev spoke and noted the importance of this project for regional universities. Later, the trainer Gulshan Bayramova organized the first training module on internationalization in higher education. In the training, topics such as internationalization strategies of higher education institutions, analysis of the current situation were explained and practical exercises were carried out with the participants. As the first stage of the project – the training course will continue with the participation of a total of 20 potential employees of 6 higher education institutions from different regions. As a step after the training, the project experts will conduct an online mentorship program for university employees for a period of 1 month. Based on the mentorship program, the employees will now work on formulating real project proposals. It should be noted that the project is one of the winning projects of the grant competition “Organization of voluntary activity in education” announced by the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
A new project related to international cooperation opportunities will be implemented in Ganja.
The project “Support for the expansion of international cooperation opportunities of the higher educational institutions of Azerbaijan in the regions” will be implemented for employees of higher educational institutions located in local and surrounding regions. The project is funded by the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan and is being implemented by the “Bridge to the Future” Youth Public Union. The aim of the project is to increase employees’ skills and knowledge of higher education institutions located in the region in order to take advantage of international opportunities, including the formation of relevant skills. The project, which will involve 6 higher education institutions from different regions and 20 potential employees, will be implemented in two stages. Within the framework of the first stage, a 4-day informative training course will be held in Ganja city for the employees from regional universities (Ganja State University, Azerbaijan Technology University, Azerbaijan State Agrarian University, Nakhchivan State University, Sumgayit State University and Lankaran State University). The training course will be related to strengthening European and international cooperation, project writing and implementation for Erasmus+ and other grant calls. As a step after the training, the project experts will conduct an online mentorship program for university employees for a period of 1 month. It should be noted that the project is one of the winning projects of the grant competition “Organization of voluntary activity in education” announced by the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
“Students’ Vocational Education Guide” project ended.
The second stage of the “Students’ Vocational Education Guide” project funded by the Azerbaijan Youth Foundation and implemented by the “Bridge to the Future” Youth Public Union was completed. Within the framework of the last stage, interested students who participated in informative seminars in the previous stage took part in a study visit to the Ganja State Vocational Education Center for Industry and Technologies located in Ganja city. During the visit, the students were given extensive information about the conditions, opportunities, material base, and practical experiences in the specialties at VEC, and the students’ questions were answered. The study visit gathered a total of 35 students – 5 from each of the secondary schools where informative seminars were organized. The aim of the project is to increase the interest of students studying in secondary general education schools in Ganja city, to instill the job opportunities created by the professions and effectively deliver this priority area to the target group through the activities to be implemented. It should be noted that the project is one of the winning projects of the 17th grant competition announced by the Youth Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan for youth organizations.
A new project on vocational education for pupils has started in Ganja.
The first stage of the “Pupils’ Vocational Education Guide” project, which is supported by Azerbaijan Youth Foundation and implemented by the “Bridge to the Future” Youth Public Union, has started. The first informative session took place on February 12, 2024, in Ganja city secondary school No. 3 with the participation of 20 pupils. They were informed about priority professional qualifications, vocational centers operating in Ganja, taught qualifications, admission rules, and development prospects of professional qualifications in vocational education system in Azerbaijan. The aim of the project is to increase the interest of those pupils studying in secondary schools in Ganja city towards to vocational education, to inculcate job opportunities offered in the vocational fields, and to effectively deliver this priority field to the target audience through project activities. The first phase of the project will continue with organizing of informative seminars in 6 more secondary schools of the city. After the sessions, pupils interested in vocational education from those secondary schools will participate in a study visit to the Ganja State Vocational Education Centers for Industry and Technologies and Trade and Service. Through the visits, they will get a visual experience of the conditions, opportunities, material base, and practical experiences of VECs in Ganja. It should be noted that the project is one of selected projects in the 17th grant call for the youth organizations by the Azerbaijan Youth Foundation.
A new project will be launched for Ganja pupils.
“Bridge to the Future” Youth Public Union is going start the project “Pupils’ Vocational Education Guide” with the support of Azerbaijan Youth Foundation. The aim of the project is to increase the interest of those pupils studying in secondary schools in Ganja city towards to vocational education, to inculcate job opportunities offered in the vocational fields, and to effectively deliver this priority field to the target audience through project activities. Within the project there will be carried out informative sessions about Vocational Training Centers, their activities, taught specialties, perspectives, job opportunities for graduates, and admission rules. Those sessions will be delivered for 140 pupils in total covering 7 secondary schools in Ganja city. After the sessions, pupils interested in vocational education from those secondary schools will participate in a study visit to the Ganja State Vocational Education Centers for Industry and Technologies and Trade and Service. Through the visits, they will get a visual experience of the conditions, opportunities, material base, and practical experiences of VECs in Ganja. It should be noted that the project was selected in the 17th grant call for the youth organisations by the Azerbaijan Youth Foundation.
“Bridge to the Future” Youth NGO was represented in the study visit in Turkiye.
“Bridge to the Future” Youth Public Union’s representative – Ayshan Mikayilova participated in the study visit named “Learning Through Sports” between 13-16 December, 2023 in Ankara, Turkiye. The study visit was organized by Turkish National Agency within the Erasmus+ Programme. The main aim was to promote best practices, networking in the area of sports organizations and healthy behaviours. During the visit, Ayshan Mikayilova got a chance to visit various government and non-government sport-related organizations. It should be noted that, the study visit gathered 24 participants – youth workers, young people, representatives of sport organizations and volunteers from different 20 countries.
Local young people participated in the international training course in Georgia.
The youngsters, supported by “Bridge to the Future” Youth Public Union took part in the training course held in Kobuleti, Georgia between 17.10.2023-25.10.2023, in the frame of Erasmus+ training program “EMPOWER – A program on youth-driven community development”. The program was dedicated to youth empowerment, youth-led community development and organized by European Intercultural Forum e. V. At this training course, 3 members from “Bridge to the Future” YPU represented Azerbaijan among 7 countries. The event aims to develop competences that are needed to empower young people to actively engage in community development. In the frame of training course the Azerbaijani team showcased practical instances directed to the development of youth empowerment in Azerbaijan and also involved in workshops about finding possible solutions for the related issue. To learn more about our organization’s Erasmus+ programme, projects, and announcements, please follow this link: https://bfngo.az/en/erasmus-2/
“Social entrepreneurship skills development program of young people” project ended.
The project “Youth Social Entrepreneurship Skills Development Program” organized by “Bridge to the Future” Youth Public Union with the support of the Agency for State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan ended with final event of the Forum. In the 1st phase of the project, between 13-15th October, 2023 training course gathered selected 25 participants in Ganja engaged in sessions covering key topics, including “Understanding Social Entrepreneurship,” “Distinguishing Social Entrepreneurship from Charity,” “Business Model Canvas Explanation,” and “Donor Identification.” Additionally, young participants collaborated on different projects team work, delivered presentations, and participated in energizing activities based on non-formal education methods. On October 25, 2023, the final event of the project, the Forum event on “Social entrepreneurship: potential opportunities, current situation and expectations” was held in Ganja. At the event, Parviz Aliyev, head of the Analysis and Work with Partners Department of the Ganja-Dashkasan Regional Employment Branch of the State Employment Agency, Anar Aliyev, the coordinator of the Ganja-Kazakh regional coordination office of the Small and Medium Business (SMB) Development Agency, Tural Rustamov, a startup specialist of the Innovation Center of the Azerbaijan Technology University, and “Tamas Sarvi” LLC SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP the founders of the enterprise Kübra Alakbarova and Sudaba Mammadova participated. Presentations were made about the relevant services and programs of the institutions participating in the forum, including a panel discussion on the field of social entrepreneurship, and the questions of the event participants were answered. The forum event ended with the presentations of the project ideas on social entrepreneurship prepared by the participants of the training course. The project’s main objective is to educate young people residing in Ganja, encouraging them to explore the concept of social entrepreneurship, express their ideas in this field, and establish partnerships with both governmental and private institutions to promote social entrepreneurship. It should be noted that the training course phase of the project was implemented in partnership with the “ASAN Volunteers” Organization.
Our young people participated in the youth exchange project in Italy.
A team of five, supported by “Bridge to the Future” Youth Public Union took part in the Erasmus+ youth exchange “Earth Connects,” held in Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy between 26.08.2023-02.09.2023. The event, dedicated to #SDG goals, was co-financed by the European Commission and the Italian Youth Agency, and organized by TDM 2000 International. At this youth exchange program, three members from “Bridge to the Future” YPU and two representatives from the partnering organization “Azerbaijani Students and Alumni Platform (ASAP)” represented Azerbaijan among 12 countries. As part of the exchange program, focused sessions on Sustainable Development Goals equip young participants with information about essential areas like efficient resource utilization and increasing public awareness. The Azerbaijani team showcased practical instances of environmental projects in Azerbaijan, engaged in thematic workshops and also conducted a presentation on the country’s culture. To learn more about our organization’s Erasmus+ programme, projects, and announcements, please follow this link: https://bfngo.az/en/erasmus-2/