Crossing Borders

Our Mission  The mission of the Empowered Girls Dialogue II (EGD II) project is to empower marginalized Moroccan teen girls with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to advocate for their rights. We aim to provide them with the tools and opportunities they need to become leaders, advocates, and catalysts for change within their communities.  Empowering Moroccan Teen Girls: Breaking Barriers, Shaping Futures  In Morocco, teen girls from marginalised areas face significant challenges such as school dropouts, child marriage, early motherhood, and gender-based violence. These obstacles hinder their full participation in society and preserve inequality. EGD II aims to address these issues by giving girls a voice, enhancing their leadership skills, and empowering them to challenge detrimental practices against girls and women.  Our Partner   We are partnering with Project Soar (PS) for the Empowered Girls Dialogue II (EGD II) project. Project Soar is a registered girls’ rights and empowerment organization with a proven track record in Morocco. Their deep understanding of Morocco’s cultural context and commitment to gender equality make them a valuable partner in this project. We are committed to using our combined skills, expertise, and resources to make a positive impact on the lives of Moroccan teen girls.  Goal of the  EGD II Project  The Empowered Girls Dialogue II (EGD II) project aims to improve the lives of marginalized Moroccan teen girls. The project has two main goals:  To empower teen girls and enhance their leadership skills so that they can become active citizens, decision-makers, and advocates for their futures.  To provide teen girls with a platform and voice within their communities to challenge repressive customs and ideologies that maintain gender-based discrimination and inequality.  The EGD II project believes that through education, dialogue, and empowerment, it can help create a brighter and more equitable future for Morocco’s teen girls, their families, and their communities. 

Our mission:  Our mission is to foster youth empowerment, democratic values, and active civic engagement among Georgia’s youth. Through innovative capacity-building and knowledge exchange, we aim to create a vibrant platform for collaboration, learning, and dialogue among youth, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and local government youth departments, strengthening Georgia’s civil society and democratic progress.  A Need for Inclusive Youth Empowerment:  In Georgia, where democratic reforms have set the stage for a more accountable public system, there is a critical need to engage and empower the youth population. To transform these reforms into meaningful action, we require the inclusion and active participation of young people. This project seeks to address this need by enhancing regional coordination platforms, providing necessary tools and knowledge, and fostering collaboration among youth, youth workers, CSOs, and local government youth departments. Our aim is to bridge knowledge gaps in local governments, increase youth representation in development and decision-making processes, and mobilize and empower communities and youth for sustained dialogue and impact.  Our goal:  We expect to see the emergence of a robust network of engaged and empowered youth, CSOs, and local government youth departments. This network will facilitate the development of effective municipal youth policies and genuine partnerships. By fostering collaboration, building capacities, and sharing knowledge, our aim is to create a sustainable model that strengthens youth participation, promotes democratic values, and leads to lasting impacts in Georgia’s communities. 

Mission:   Our mission is to empower young people in Ukraine by creating Democracy Hubs where they can learn about democracy, communication, dialogue, debate skills, human rights, and active citizenship. We aim to advance a culture of democracy and inspire youth to become engaged citizens.    Empowering Youth Civic Engagement: Democracy Hubs for Change in Ukraine   This project is crucial given recent findings that reveal a lack of interest among young Ukrainians in politics and civic activities, with only 1.3% participating in community initiatives. The Democracy Hubs, set up in regions like Chernigiv, Kharkiv, Kherson, and Rivne, where civic engagement is weak, offer an opportunity for youth to become active and informed citizens. This project aligns with UNDP’s recognition of the importance of youth participation for societal development and human rights protection. By promoting inclusivity, gender equality, and environmental awareness and collaborating with local partners, schools, and alumni networks, it aims to encourage youth interest in democratic processes and community involvement, ultimately supporting for a more vibrant and participatory Ukrainian society.    Our Partner:    We’re working together with the Klitschko Foundation, a NGO in Ukraine that cares about young people and wants to help them succeed. This project builds upon the successful partnership between Crossing Borders (CB) and the Klitschko Foundation (KF), which established the Democracy Hub Kyiv in 2020. Our  collaboration with the Klitschko Foundation (KF) is based on a successful track record. KF has received positive feedback from youth and other organizations involved in the Democracy Hub Kyiv project.    Our Goal:   The project’s primary goal is to educate and empower  Ukrainian youth aged 14 to 19 by promoting active citizenship, democratic values, and civic engagement. It aims to nurture democratic values, encourage active engagement, and encourage discussions on diversity, gender equality, life balance, and environmental sustainability, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, the project addresses the impact of evolving media on democracy and equips young participants with media literacy skills.

Mission  Our mission is to create a Democracy Hub in Kyiv, where young Ukrainians can learn about democracy and how to be active citizens. We want to empower Ukrainian youth to become informed, confident, and civic-minded leaders, encouraging positive change in local communities and contributing to Ukraine’s democratic landscape through innovative educational programs and a supportive community space.  Democracy Hub: A Space for Youth to Learn, Lead, and Grow  The Democracy Hub addresses the concerning disinterest in politics and civic disengagement among young Ukrainians, as revealed by 2017-2018 surveys where only 1.3% participated in community initiatives. This underscores the need for spaces promoting civic education and engagement. Recognizing active youth participation as crucial for societal development and human rights, the project empowers young Ukrainians, encouraging dialogue, imparting civic skills, and addressing local and global challenges. Aligned with eco-conscious practices, it also raises awareness of climate issues and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  Our Partner  For this project, we are partnering with Klitschko Foundation (KF), a distinguished Ukrainian charitable organization. At Crossing Borders (CB), we share common goals with KF in promoting youth empowerment and civic education. Combining CB’s experience in project management and initiatives like the Great Debate Camp (GDC) with KF’s extensive network and education-focused projects, together, we aim to create the Democracy Hub – a platform empowering young Ukrainians to engage in democracy and build essential skills for active participation in society.  Our Goal  The primary goal of our project is to empower and engage Ukrainian youth, aged 14-19, in promoting democracy, active citizenship, and leadership within their communities who can positively impact their society and advocate for democratic values and inclusion.  Through capacity building trainings, the Great Debate Camp, and the establishment of the Democracy Hub in Kyiv, we aim to equip young Ukrainians with essential skills, critical thinking abilities, and a sense of social responsibility. We also intend to create an extensive online platform for youth networking and knowledge sharing, promoting a sense of interconnectedness and enabling them to address local, national, and global challenges.  

Our Mission:  The Democracy Debate Hub project is committed to empowering at least 150 young people between the ages of 14 and 20 in Moldova with essential communication, collaboration, and debating skills, enabling them to navigate the complex world of information, propaganda, and fake news. Through engaging debates and inclusive learning, the project aims to promote youth engagement and inclusivity, ultimately strengthening the foundations of democracy in Moldova.  Empowering Moldovan Youth: Strengthening Democracy and Critical Thinking  The Democracy Debate Hub project is important for Moldova, a country facing challenges in the information era. Many young people here struggle to tell what’s true from what’s not in a world full of misleading information. The project helps Moldovan youth develop important skills like critical thinking and communication. It also creates 15 Democracy Debate Hubs across Moldova where young people can come together to discuss important topics. The project hopes to make Moldova’s democracy stronger and bring young people from different backgrounds closer together.  Partnership   The Democracy Debate Hub project is a collaboration between Crossing Borders and the MilleniuM Training and Development Institute, two organizations with a shared commitment to youth empowerment and democracy-building. This partnership is built on the success of previous initiatives, such as the Youth Ambassadors for Peace project in 2018-2020.  Our Goal  Our primary aim is to establish a network of 15 Democracy Debate Hubs, managed by skilled coordinators, across Moldovan communities. Over 10 months, we intend to train 15 coordinators from diverse backgrounds to initiate and oversee these hubs. These hubs will be set up in schools, youth centers, and youth councils, serving as platforms to promote democracy and civic engagement among young people. Our goal is to empower over 150 young participants with critical thinking, public speaking, and a deep understanding of democracy, enabling their active participation in democratic processes. 

The mission:   Our mission is to create a platform for awareness, learning, collaboration, and dialogue among 15 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), and media outlets in Armenia. Capacity building and knowledge exchange through a new innovative learning platform, to foster good practices and collaborations which will strengthen the civil society of Armenia.   Stronger civil society needed:  In recent history, civic society space of Armenia is very challenged from the background of war and conflicts. The country is a very young democracy, with more need for a strong civil society space now than ever. The intervention will raise awareness and create new opportunities for cross-sector collaboration based on common interests with different types of actors. The platform connects members of CSOs, CBOs and media outlets to find common goals and collaborations.   Our partner:   Analytical Centre on Globalization and Regional Cooperation (ACGRC), a leading advocate for democracy in Armenia. ACGRC is a frontrunner in promoting democracy and civil society in Armenia. Our partnership has been strengthened through previous collaborations, notably the Youth Ambassadors for Peace consortium, where we empowered Armenian youth to become peace ambassadors.  Goal of the Armenia Meeting Point (AMT):   We expect this intervention to not only enhance our individual organizations’ capabilities but also further solidify our partnership. Both CB and ACGRC share a commitment to creating spaces for dialogue and active citizenship. Our mutual dedication to fostering positive change in Armenia’s civil society will create a brighter future for Armenians and ability to strengthen democratic values and dialogue.

Capacity building and developing six community radio stations that provide target communities with important information and platforms so they can take part in socio-economic and democratic political spaces.  The mission: Strengthening the civic space through community radio stations, they are important in Zimbabwe because they provide critical information and platforms for marginalized communities, allowing them to participate in socio-economic and democratic processes. These stations are essential for promoting social justice by giving voice to underrepresented groups and fostering inclusive sustainable development. However, these newly licensed community radios face various challenges, including governance, content creation, and financial sustainability.  The important role of Community Radio Stations in Zimbabwe:  This intervention takes place in a context where political power has long been dominated by the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF). Zimbabwe has experienced economic instability, food insecurity, and limited civic space over the years. This shrinking civic space undermines democracy, independence, and anti-corruption efforts, posing challenges to promoting the rule of law and accountable institutions in Zimbabwe.  Our partner:   This is the first time the partners will be making a project together. The partners have come to know each other through a common acquaintance in the Ghana Community Radio Network (GCRN), with whom Crossing Borders have made projects for many years. ZACRAS and GCRN share a common mission as association network organisations for community radio stations in their respective countries.  Our goal: The community radio stations will produce content focusing on human rights and community radio advocacy. They’ll serve as platforms for citizens to interact with those responsible for solutions in areas of development and governance. Throughout the project, ZACRAS will monitor and evaluate progress both in person and online. 

Our mission:  This project is a continuation of our previous project, “Youth promoting peace and tolerance in Zimbabwe,” which began in 2022. We aim to expand on the foundations we have created in youth engagement and participation for peace and dialogue. Our strategy incorporates sports and arts to foster change in a way that includes the youth of Zimbabweon a deeper level.  A need for higher youth and woman participation in Zimbabwe:   During the first phase of the project, we observed that many young people were hesitant to engage in electoral processes due to various factors, including negative peace, structural barriers imposed by political parties, distrust in the election management system, and limited knowledge of voter education and electoral laws. Additionally, there was limited participation of women in the first phase, prompting a need for capacity-building efforts for women. We need to create a positive impact for a more inclusive and democratic future which can produce higher youth participation in Zimbabwe elections.   Our Partner:  4-H Zimbabwe Foundation, in collaboration with Crossing Borders (CB) and with funding from CISU, has a proven track record of working with the targeted project beneficiaries, the youth, and key peace stakeholders. In our previous peace project, we successfully engaged with the National Peace Reconciliation Commission (NPRC), Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), and traditional chiefs, fostering peace and tolerance.  Our goal:   With this continued second project, we wish to create active and peaceful participation of Zimbabwe’s youth in electoral processes by September 2023, spreading knowledge and gaining an understanding of importance in democratic participation. As well as incorporating peace building initiatives, using art and sports as way to be inclusive of youth and increase governance activities by May 2024. Informing the youth will also aim to advocate for pro-youth policies and engaging more women.

The mission:  Our mission in Zimbabwe is an indication to our commitment to fostering positive change. Through youth empowerment, peace promotion, and inclusivity advocacy, we aim to create a brighter future for this resilient nation.  Empowering Youth Voices for a Peaceful and Inclusive Zimbabwe  In Zimbabwe, a country full of young people with lots of energy and ideas, things need to get better. But the young voices that want to make a difference sometimes find it hard to be heard. This project wants to help these young leaders, bring together people from different political groups, and give everyone a chance to share their ideas in order to make Zimbabwe more peaceful place.  Our partners:  Our partners in the Zimbabwe project include local political parties, civil society organizations, the Parliamentary Youth Caucus, the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation, the National Peace Reconciliation Commission (NPRC), and the Zimbabwe Youth Council (ZYC). Additionally, we collaborate with UN Women in Zimbabwe to support the empowerment of young women in leadership and electoral processes.  Our goal:  We expect a transformation to sweep across Zimbabwe, where politically engaged youth become ambassadors of peace, driving forward a new era of tolerance and understanding. Through dialogue, leadership training, and inclusive governance, we anticipate young women actively participating in shaping their nation’s future. Furthermore, we look forward to influencing policies that open doors for youth, ensuring their voices are heard and respected. This project is a catalyst for a more harmonious and inclusive Zimbabwe.  

The mission:  Our mission in Zambia is to equip civil society organizations and youth groups with digital tools and knowledge, enabling them to effectively advocate for transparency, accountability, and civic participation, ultimately fostering a culture of accountable governance and citizen engagement.  Addressing Zambia’s urgent need for Digital Advocacy in Civic Engagement:  The need for the Zambia project arises from the challenges faced in the country, including the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on civic engagement, a changing government landscape, and a shrinking civic space. There is a pressing demand for enhanced digital advocacy tools and capacities to strengthen civil society’s ability to hold duty bearers accountable and promote transparent governance in Zambia. This project addresses these needs by empowering CSOs and youth groups to utilize digital tools effectively, thereby contributing to accountable governance and improved civic engagement in Zambia.  Our partners:  We collaborate with Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) to implement this project, leveraging our expertise in digital tools and international projects to support accountable governance and civil society in Zambia.  Our goal:  We anticipate a stronger digital advocacy capacity among CSOs and youth groups, enhanced responsiveness from government and duty bearers, and a revitalized civic engagement landscape in Zambia as a result of this project.