The Europe and Central Asia Youth Conference Innovation Grants Competition and Showcase were organized in connection with the 2007 Europe and Central Asia Youth Conference by the Children & Youth Unit at the World Bank, with the support of NOKIA and the World Bank Small Grants Program.
 
The competition was open to registered youth NGOs and groups of young people aged 15-24, working in partnership with a registered youth NGO in the Europe and Central Asia region of the World Bank. During the Conference, small grants in the amount of 7,271 to 13,300 Euros were granted to ten proposals by non-governmental youth organizations. The remaining finalists were granted awards in the amount of 2,000 Euros, to either implement part of their proposals or submit new youth targeted project proposals.
 
The main objective of the Competition was to identify and support innovative, small-scale, cutting-edge projects developed and implemented by young people, for achieving better opportunities and outcomes for the young people in two areas especially problematic for young people in the Europe and Central Asia region: transition to work and active citizenship and participation. Ultimately, the competition searched for sustainable solutions that go beyond established channels, and ideas that differ from current approaches.
 
The showcase of the finalist projects, taking place during the conference, aimed at emphasizing and demonstrating the potential and importance of youth as active participants in development, showcasing good practices, and providing opportunities for participants to interact and share ideas and knowledge, in an environment conductive to building partnerships and acquiring new sponsors.
 
To view a list of the grant recipients and short descriptions of their proposals, please click here.

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