From 28 May to 3 June 2026, the Youth Sail project held its first training course for civil society organisations in Ala Archa, Kyrgyzstan, officially opening the first cycle of the CSO Capacity Building programme track.
The training brought together 15 representatives of civil society organisations from different regions of Kyrgyzstan. Over the course of the programme, participants explored how to apply the Youth Sail methodology in their work with young people and local communities, with a particular focus on human rights education, non-formal learning, youth participation, digital tools, and cooperation among civil society actors.
The programme was launched alongside the project’s Kick-Off Meeting with the participation of the Head of the European Union Delegation to the Kyrgyz Republic, H.E. Remi Duflot. This opening moment marked the beginning of the first capacity-building cycle for CSOs under Youth Sail and highlighted the importance of cooperation between civil society, young people, and international partners in strengthening democratic participation and human rights education in Kyrgyzstan.
During the training, participants took part in interactive sessions on non-formal education principles, the basics of human rights, human rights education, facilitation skills, youth participation, networking, partnership building, digital tools, and the use of artificial intelligence in youth work. The programme also created space for participants to exchange good practices, reflect on challenges faced by CSOs in the regions, and identify next steps for applying the newly gained knowledge in their communities.
Youth Sail aims to support civil society organisations and young people in Kyrgyzstan in promoting human rights, democratic participation, and inclusive community engagement. Through the CSO Capacity Building programme track, participating organisations will strengthen their skills, expand their networks, and prepare to use human rights education methodologies in their local youth and community work.
The training in Ala Archa represents an important first step in building a network of motivated civil society actors who can bring Youth Sail’s participatory, rights-based and youth-centred approach to communities across Kyrgyzstan.
The Youth Sail project is implemented by Culture Goes Europe e.V. – Soziokulturelle Initiative Erfurt e.V. in partnership with Kyrgyz organisations: Public Foundation “Positive Dialogue”, Public Foundation “Atuul”, and Public Association Women’s Organization “Alga”. The project is funded by the European Union.
