As part of the Zen 2.0 Caravan project, the first of five mentoring forums for young leaders was held, led by 4 mentors and intended for the wider area of the City of Skopje, in which 5 participants took part.
The participants were representating following: 77% women, against 29% men, of which 64% at secondary education level, and 36% university level od education. The applicants were from the following municipalities: Aerodrom, Kisela Voda, Butel, Shuto Orizari, Karposh and Gjorche Petrov.
After the initial online info-session, which took place on October 29, 2023, the committee represented by the mentors of the first mentoring forum, chose the final 5 people – participants.
The first part of the 1st mentoring forum for young community leaders within the Zen 2.0 Caravan project was held on October 31st, at the headquarters of the Equality Association – Skopje.
Participants of the initial mentoring training “Public speaking and creative self-presentation”, led by Marija Divitarova had the opportunity to gain skills for public self-presentation and communication, where through practical examples and exercises they got the opportunity to introduce themselves, to create different types of media releases, but also to be presented with the types of communication, which exist between an individual person or social group and a public medium.
In the second mentoring training entitled “Physical and mental immunity”, led by Gere Tripkov, the president of the Equality Association and a life – coach, the participants acquired skills, how to become aware of their own influence in creating a more stable immunity by concrete actions, both on a physical as well as at psychological level.
The second part of the 1st mentoring forum for young community leaders started with a mentoring training “How to successful individual and group representation” , conducted by young lawyers, where the participants were trained on the ways of self-representation, within the legal system in the country , but also at the international level. Positive examples of legal steps were also presented, which led to a positive outcome for those seeking justice, especially in the area of protection of basic human rights.
In addition, within the framework of the second part, the participants had the opportunity to meet with Sašo Jovanoski – the advisor for education in the office of the mayor of Kisela Voda Municipality. They were encouraged to articulate their own demands and needs through the existing legal mechanisms and available and accessible ways of communication, all with the aim of realizing their own demands and rights, as young leaders, but also as representatives of a social group, which is the most affected in the given municipality. They were encouraged to articulate their own demands and needs through the existing legal mechanisms and available and accessible ways of communication, all with the aim of realizing their own demands and rights, as young leaders, but also as representatives of a social group, as most affected in the particular municipality.
After the end of the First Mentoring Forum and the evaluation period, young leaders within the framework of the initiative “Imagine, project and make a change” will choose a significant issue or challenge, which with the help of the acquired skills and under the mentorship of the trainers, they will try to overcome in the following period. The purpose is to ensure a visible change, which will motivate their peers, but also the whole society, that change is possible, only if we take steps towards achieving it.
The Zen 2.0 Caravan is entering the next phase, preparations for the second call, intended for young people from the Municipality of Gostivar. In cooperation with the municipal authorities, as well as with the support of local organizations working in the field of youth relevant challenges, the Zen 2.0 Caravan will try to work on making positive change in the other 4 project’s municipalities, Gostivar, Bitola, Strumica and the municipalities in the area of the City of Skopje.
The call for young people – participants from the Municipality of Gostivar will be announced at the beginning of December 2023.
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