Kosh-Kol, Issyk-Kul Region, Kyrgyzstan | 17 August 2026
From 12 to 20 August 2026, a summer educational camp is taking place in the village of Kosh-Kol, Issyk-Kul Region, as part of the Youth Sail project, which aims to strengthen the capacity of civil society and support young people in promoting human rights, democratic participation, and inclusive development in Kyrgyzstan.
The camp has brought together 45 young people from different regions of Kyrgyzstan — young leaders, volunteers, representatives, and young staff members of civil society organisations. Participants were selected through an open nationwide competitive process. Particular attention was given to applicants’ motivation, regional balance, and the inclusion of young people, including girls and young women, from underrepresented communities across the country.
The camp programme is based on the principles of non-formal education and learning by doing. Over seven working days, participants learn, exchange experiences, develop practical skills, and build professional connections that can support their future work with young people and local communities. The training focuses on developing knowledge and practical skills in human rights education, critical thinking, gender equality, and environmental rights, as well as on applying non-formal education, facilitation, and community-based youth learning methods.
The summer camp is the first stage of the Youth Sail’s long-term three-stage educational programme. After the camp, practical work will begin in the regions, where the knowledge gained will be applied through the design and delivery of educational activities for young people and local communities. During this stage, participants will receive ongoing mentoring support and take part in online learning to further develop their ideas, strengthen their training and facilitation competences, and receive regular feedback.
One of the programme’s long-term goals is to build a community of young trainers and facilitators in human rights education, which will later form the foundation for the Kyrgyzstan Human Rights Trainers’ Guild.
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” (Grant Nr.: NDICI HR INTPA/2025/488-581). The project is funded by the European Union.
Contact Point for Media:
Galia Khurova, Director of the “Atuul” Charitable Foundation,
atuul.kkol@gmail.com, +996 551 255 012