N e t w o r k Study Case Youth Local Council from Zalau, Romania WE ARE EVERYWHERE ZALAU

N e t w o r k 1995, November the 3th – the Children Local Council from Zalau is started by a group of young students from a local highschool at the initiative and with the help of Master Forum Association; it was the 13 th organization of this kind in Romania 1999 – the Children Local Council becomes the Children and Youth Local Council (CLCT) CLCT becomes the Youth Local Council (CLT) 2003 – the first year when the Youth Local Council had its own budget part of the Local Municipality Budget WE ARE EVERYWHERE ZALAU This is how all started…

N e t w o r k 7 councils (each council has a 2-year mandate) About 80 meetings/year and about 15 projects/year More than 250 members (councilors and volunteers) More then 70 participations in national and international conferences, seminars The first council to initiate and support the development of a new council in a neighboring city One of the oldest and more active councils in Romania Our target group is mainly formed by students for the local high-schools, but we also develop projects for children and old people Our area of interest is Zalau, a 68,000 people community WE ARE EVERYWHERE ZALAU Who, what, where…

N e t w o r k To promote the involvement of young people (mainly 14 – 19 years old) in local administration To influence the change in the community, especially regarding children and young people To contribute to the formation of young people WE ARE EVERYWHERE ZALAU Objectives

N e t w o r k To promote the involvement of young people (mainly 14 – 19 years old) in local administration –2004 – Candidates Forum – organizing a meeting between the young people and the candidates for the mayor position –2004 – 2005 – Youth In Motion International Project initiated by CIVITAS Association from Cluj Napova, involving organizations from … countries from SEE Europe –2006 – Developing the Local Plan for Youth Action –2008 – participating at the developing of the Local Strategy for Development WE ARE EVERYWHERE ZALAU Objectives

N e t w o r k To influence the change in the community, especially regarding children and young people –2002 – Organizing the campaign “Cities for all” at local level – signatures for making the public spaces accessible for disabled people –2006 – money raising for upgrading the new – born department of the County Hospital (an initiative of the Lion Club Association) –2008 – helping identifying students with high social- risk in order to be helped –Organizing cultural events, contest, etc. in order to promote artistic activities for young people (Theatre Festival, Photo Contest, Carol Singing Festival) –Helping young people to find summer jobs – Summer Job Fair WE ARE EVERYWHERE ZALAU Objectives

N e t w o r k To contribute to the formation of young people –Summer School for Youth Local Council from all over Romania –The all experience of being a member of the Youth Local Council is contributing to the formation and developing of the young people: They are more organized They have more initiative They are much more interested in what is happening around them They are better integrated They improved their communication skills They are more critical WE ARE EVERYWHERE ZALAU Objectives

N e t w o r k The elections for the present council took place in November 2007 There are 16 councilors and 7 volunteers –The number of volunteers is relative because the former councilors are still helping with projects and there are also some other people helping when needed –The councilors were elected in 5 high-schools from Zalau The 2008 budget is about Euro – the allocation from the local budget, but we always look for other financing sources or in-kind contributions (sponsors and partners) There are 16 activities (or projects) that we intend to do this year and at least other 4 new projects in partnerships with other organizations We have regular meetings Sunday, at the City Hall, and “project” meetings, whenever needed WE ARE EVERYWHERE ZALAU Today…

N e t w o r k To have a Youth Center in Zalau To have at least one partnership with a similar organization from Europe To help creating an active, responsible and involved youth To encourage volunteering To be the voice of all high-school students in Zalau To be everywhere WE ARE EVERYWHERE ZALAU We hope…

N e t w o r k WE ARE EVERYWHERE ZALAU - How can we touch the impossible? - With enthusiasm. (Paolo Coelho, The fifth mountain)

N e t w o r k Ramona Butcovan – Zalau City Hall, Coordinator of Youth Local Council from Zalau Fax: WE ARE EVERYWHERE ZALAU Contact