“Uprosi Daiko” - A Peer Support Space Created by Teenagers

“I always wished I had an older sister. In my early teenage years, I really needed the kind of advice that we are now sharing with younger girls,” says 17-year-old Ana Kadagidze, who leads the creative direction of the youth-led startup Uprosi Daiko.

Ana is among the young participants of UNICEF’s social innovation and entrepreneurship programme UPSHIFT, implemented by Business and Technology University. The programme supports young people in developing life and employability skills. As part of UPSHIFT, participants completed an intensive two-and-a-half-month training covering leadership, project management, design thinking, and social entrepreneurship. Through this experience, they strengthened their entrepreneurial and digital skills, along with other key competencies for their future.

“I first heard about UPSHIFT on social media and was excited that it included my region and age group. I shared the information with my three friends, and we registered together. The programme was very engaging - a combination of theory and practice. Before that, I had limited knowledge of how to start a business. Step by step, I went through the process, developed my vision, and learned how to identify problems my idea could solve. Today, we already have our own platform and are actively working on its development,” says Ana Kalandadze, one of the founders of Uprosi Daiko.

With the support of mentors, four 11th-grade students from Batumi - Ana Kalandadze, Anastasia Lortkipanidze, Mariam Zoidze, and Ana Kadagidze - developed a business plan and launched their initiative. Their work is grounded in shared values of empathy, honesty, and mutual empowerment.

Their idea evolved into an accessible digital space for teenagers - the website Uprosi Daiko. The platform aims to provide a safe and supportive environment where young people can openly explore topics that matter to them. It combines a blog, workshops, and an upcoming podcast, where teenagers will engage in honest conversations about personal growth, relationships, self-esteem, and other relevant issues.

“There was no platform in the Georgian context where young girls could receive reliable advice on topics they often cannot discuss with parents, friends, or even psychologists. That’s why we created Uprosi Daiko - a space where we share insights based on our own experiences,” says Anastasia Lortkipanidze.

UPSHIFT played a critical role in turning the idea into a tangible initiative. At an early stage, the team received a 1,000 GEL grant from UNICEF, which supported the development of the website.

“Initiatives like Uprosi Daiko show the power of young people to lead change in their communities. When adolescents are given the right support, skills, and opportunities, they become not only participants, but innovators and problem-solvers. Through our partnership with Business and Technology University, UNICEF is proud to support initiatives like UPSHIFT that equip young people with the skills and opportunities to turn their ideas into actions”, said Natia Jokhadze, UNICEF Education Specialist.

Today, the platform regularly publishes articles on personal development, relationships, and self-image. What started as an online initiative has already expanded into offline activities.

“After UPSHIFT, we didn’t stop - we continued developing our idea. We began planning workshops and working on launching a podcast. We also applied for a 25,000 GEL grant from Georgia’s Innovation and Technology Agency (GITA) regional innovation programme. We were very nervous because we were the youngest participants, but our potential was recognized, and we were selected as winners,” recalls Ana Kalandadze.

With GITA’s support, the team plans to purchase technical equipment for podcast production - including cameras, microphones, and lighting - as well as further develop the platform and introduce new services.

“UPSHIFT played a major role in transforming our idea into a real project in a short time. The most important thing we gained is confidence — a skill that will support us in any future path,” says Mariam Zoidze.

“I gained confidence and improved my public speaking skills. Before, it was difficult for me to speak in front of large audiences. Now I can confidently present in front of a camera. This is a big personal achievement for me,” says Ana Kadagidze.

The founders of Uprosi Daiko emphasize the importance of non-formal education and encourage their peers to actively participate in similar programmes.

“If you are determined, everything is possible. The most important thing is to seize opportunities and not be afraid,” says Mariam Zoidze.

Today, Uprosi Daiko is no longer just an idea — it is a growing platform that offers young people a space to connect, share experiences, and support one another.

“When young people are given the space to speak and the tools to act, they don’t just imagine a better world, they start building it”, said Isabella Castrogiovanni, UNICEF Representative in Georgia.