Co-management

Co-management is an English language word that signifies a process of including young people in the decision-making process. Local governments are the participatory levels closest to the youth and therefore play the biggest part in it's development.

By involving young people the authorities ensure the situation where young people won't just listen and learn about democracy and being a citizen, but they have a real opportunity to feel as full members of the society.
A project called "Co-management" was created by Sillamäe Society for Child Welfare and conducted in cooperation with three local governments, schools and local NGOs in Vaivara and Jõhvi county and Kiviõli city. The purpose of the project was to advance dialogue between young people and local governments and motivate young people to take an interest and participate in local government's activities. Project was funded by National Civil Society Foundation and co-funded by Kiviõli city government.

Additonal activities were conducted to, in cooperation with local governments, work out a strategy document, aiding towards a possible effective and inclusive youth policy in the county and the improvement of youth involvement, youth initiatives and acitivities directed at youth. To create a systematic approach for youth involvement in decision-making and implementing. To find optimal dialogue forms and best practices and create a way towards effective practical cooperation. As the result of all of the project „Co-mamangament“ prework, including Ida-Virumaa Youth Forum 2012, a „Ida-Virumaa Co-management strategy for 2012 – 2015“ has been completed built on the methodology of co-management and containing three sub-themes:
1. Youth councils in Ida-Virumaal
2. Local government's cooperation with schools to advance active citizenship among youth (student councils, scool resources etc)
3. Involving NGOs and yuth organisations in the regional development.

Strategy has been published at http://co-management.sscw.ee/index.php?id=10794. On the basis of ia a toolkit called „Co-management: toward cooperation“ has been completed It includes a wider overview of theory and methodology, overview of the current situation in Ida-Virumaa and Estonia, including the main opportunities for participation of youth and the strategic solutions developed during the project also published separately.

PROJECT'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE http://co-management.sscw.ee

On the website you can find all project documents, activities and results.