“I have learnt from this training that cooperation between government and non-government organizations is crucial to ensure youth participation in society. 31% out of total population is young people in Bayankhongor province. If we can promote and ensure youth participation in a proper way, they will accelerate development of local community. Therefore, I will try to implement innovative methods and international experience to support youth participation acquired through this training in our local community” says Yanjmaa, a participant of the training and a specialist of the Family, Child and Youth Development in Bayankhongor province.

For two days, 30 passionate leaders gathered to learn new ways to involve youth in decision making and exchange ideas on how to overcome challenges to local youth participation. This seminar was the fourth of a series of seminars organized by the project in Dornogovi, Selenge, Bayankhongor, Khentii and Ulaanbaatar. Several local NGO founders presented, among which a recent participant in the “All for YOUth, YOUth for all” study tour in the Czech Republic and Germany.

“Thanks to the active participation of Local Authorities and CSOs, many best practices and ideas have been exchanged. Let’s not stop there. Let’s make sure to use the positive and energetic momentum of the seminar to strengthen meaningful and structural youth engagement in Bayankhongor.” says Axelle Nicaise, Ambassador of the European Union to Mongolia.

A highlight of the seminar was a collective agreement by the participants to revamp the semi-dormant Youth Councils set up with the aim of consulting Bayankhongor’s local government on issues involving youth.