The “Youth in Action” camp brought together over 300 young people from Moldova and Ukraine in a safe, creative, and inclusive environment
Chișinău, 2 July 2025. Between 1-10 July 2025, more than 340 young people from the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, including those from vulnerable backgrounds and with special needs, participated in the summer camp “Youth in Action” - an initiative dedicated to promoting civic engagement, personal development, career orientation, and the active participation of young people in the democratic life of their communities.
From Cahul to Briceni and from Ungheni to Ștefan Vodă, participants represented every district of the Republic of Moldova. Among them were 97 adolescents from vulnerable groups, contributing to the creation of a truly inclusive and diverse environment.
The camp provided participants with opportunities to learn, develop essential skills, build new friendships, and contribute to the development of more sustainable communities. The camp programme included both theoretical and practical sessions, active communication, outdoor activities, and interactive sessions on various relevant topics such as DJ-ing and classical music, entrepreneurship and innovative thinking, digital education, sustainability and environmental protection, activism, and democracy.
The camp was organized within the framework of the UNICEF project “Promoting Student Participation in Decision-Making Mechanisms,” implemented by the PRO BONO Information and Resource Center, with financial support from the Government of the United States of America (Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration - BPRM) and the Orange Moldova Foundation.
For the second year in a row, the Orange Moldova Foundation has supported the organization of the camp, offering young people more than just a summer experience - a safe, open, and inclusive space where they have learned, collaborated, and grown through the use of technology. Internet access is becoming a genuine resource for knowledge, while music helps to create a space where creativity and authentic communication are encouraged. This is a project that directly addresses the needs of the new generation and equips them with the right tools for the future.
The partnership between UNICEF, the Orange Moldova Foundation, and the PRO BONO Information and Resource Center reflects a shared commitment to supporting children's development by providing access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive in an ever-changing world.
“For me, the summer camp “Youth in Action” was a unique and long-awaited experience. Initially, I thought we would go through information I already knew, but the programme turned out to be much more comprehensive and well-structured than I anticipated. I had the opportunity to collaborate with other engaged and dedicated young people, along with the trainers leading the workshops. Working side by side with other youth on public policy ideas made me realize how much we can influence society when we are truly involved,” said Vlad Garbuz.
The camp concluded with an interactive event during which young participants presented civic initiatives developed in groups, took part in a flash mob, and created media materials reflecting the spirit of the camp - activism, solidarity, and creativity.
Over 600 young people participated in the first edition of the “Youth in Action” camp.
In 2024, UNICEF and Orange Moldova signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at contributing to the well-being of every child in both urban and rural areas. UNICEF and Orange Moldova are exploring the use of modern technologies and smart data to innovate interventions in the areas of education, youth engagement, child protection, and social protection. As part of the partnership, solutions in the field of information and communication technologies (ICT) will also be identified and implemented to ensure digital inclusion, along with the development of additional research and innovation partnerships with nationwide impact.
The “Youth in Action” camp reaffirmed that young people are a true force for change, and by providing them with spaces for expression, learning, and collaboration, we can amplify their voices and unlock their full potential.
Media contacts
About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org
Follow UNICEF on Twitter and Facebook
