The Youth LINX Program was implemented by Project Harmony (PH International) and Russian partner organization, Center of Innovative Public Initiatives (CIPI), and had as its main purpose to contribute to the creation of a vibrant democratic culture among Russian youth, demonstrated through youth leadership and cross-regionally coordinated civic action, contributing to a more open and participatory society.

The program was working on improving understanding of democratic principles and values among Russian youth by fostering greater linkages between academically-oriented civic education programs and real life community-based civic projects and activities. The program was encouraging youth leaders to collaborate with one another and reflecting on the impact of their actions on broader democratic processes and trends in the country, and was supporting them to serve as spokespersons for youth in public sector dialogues.

The largest component of this program provided increased opportunities for Russian youth to apply democratic principles in practical ways that related to their lives by taking part in civic action projects that address priority concerns of youth. Grants making programs supported new ideas to emerge and new participants to take action, while fostering connections with others who were active on similar issues both locally and regionally; helped to replicate existing youth-centered civic projects, increasing their reach, while sharing best practices in civic advocacy among organizations across regions and foster and support cross-regional collaboration around common causes, bringing a greater level of region-wide and national level attention to priority issues of concern to youth.

The program improved communication among civically-active youth and youth-centered organizations, while also increasing the level of usage and integration of new technology and media in support of democracy in action. The integration of ICT tools helped civically-active youth to overcome feeling of isolation by enabling them to coordinate and share experiences youth to youth, independent of adult-organized or formal communications means. The program’s centerpiece – the Youth LINX Web Portal – links program participants and constituencies with civic-related information, tools, networks and resources.

Critical to the success of the program was direct involvement of youth in the program’s development and oversight. This ensures that program activities are constituent-driven, age-appropriate and legitimate in the eyes of the target audience. To enable this, PH incorporates roles for a formal Youth Advisory Board, as well as other informal youth volunteer networks at the local and regional levels.

The three main components of the program - each contributing to and advancing one another - were: provision of technical assistance, grant making and networking activities in support of youth civic participation.

Participants from 21 Russian regions, including 32 cities, small towns and villages, participated in LINX program and we thank you all for collaboration, creative work together and our joint success.