🚀 A Journey of Participation: Europe Goes Local from Thessaloniki to Vardenis!

In the heart of Thessaloniki, from April 7-11, 2025, youth leaders and municipal representatives from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Poland came together under the umbrella of the Europe Goes Local mentorship program.

The week unfolded as an inspiring journey of connection, learning, and transformation, professionally and personally. Representing INEDNET, Anzhelika Mkrtchyan, a dedicated youth worker from the Vardenis community, demonstrated commitment, vision, and a strong desire to foster youth participation at the local level.

Through workshops, field visits, and community discussions, the program offered a unique chance to explore youth participation models and reflect on each municipality’s journey toward inclusivity. During the program, participants:

- Visited the Municipality of Komotini, where they explored the local Youth Centre and met passionate youth workers and organizations committed to shaping a better future for young people.

- Discovered the Youth Participation Ladder framework and used it to evaluate the level of youth involvement in their local contexts.

- Reflected on how youth voices can be better included in municipal decisions and co-designed strategies for improvement.

- Engaged with local authorities from the Municipalities of Kordelio-Evosmos and Thermi, gaining inspiration and practical insights into effective youth structures at the local level.

Inspired by the Thessaloniki experience, Anzhelika is preparing to launch several local initiatives that aim to bring youth to the forefront of decision-making in the Vardenis community:

- A municipal training program focused on youth engagement and inclusive communication.

- A youth seminar encouraging civic participation and local activism.

- A digital platform dedicated to sharing youth opportunities and showcasing success stories.

- A summer camp themed “Leadership and Artificial Intelligence” to prepare young people for the challenges and innovations of tomorrow.

These are not just activities — they are the beginning of a movement toward a stronger, more inclusive Vardenis. Anzhelika will remain engaged in the Europe Goes Local initiative throughout 2025 and implement more activities. We wish her good luck and energy for her initiatives.