Fifty young men and women from Ganja, Samukh, Goygol, Goranboy and other neighboring regions of Azerbaijan participated in an Emerging Leaders camp conducted by the National Democratic Institute (NDI), from 4 to 7 August, 2012. The summer camp held in the Oguz district was organized by the Ganja-based Bridge to the Future organization, supported by the USAID-funded Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) implemented by NDI.

The main goal of the ELP is to promote civic and political involvement and enhance engagement of youth in decision-making and problem-solving at the local level. The program works with 185 young leaders, including young women, to strengthen their leadership, civic and political organizing skills. It also supports the Emerging Leaders in identification, design and implementation of civic projects in their communities. Each program participant will engage other young people as volunteers to multiply the program results.

This summer camp in Oguz is the third of the six camps organized by USAID’s partners in Baku, Guba, Sheki, Lenkaran and Ganja under the ELP. These camps provide intense leadership training that enables participants to acquire knowledge and skills to prepare them to become tomorrow’s leaders. The topics covered in this last camp included public speaking, communication styles, and new media. The camp allowed the participants to learn and strengthen their skills through teamwork, games and presentations.

As a result of the training, which took place over a six-month period, the young leaders will be better prepared to plan and provide local youth leadership for projects that benefit their communities. Nine projects proposals in health, environment and other areas were presented at the camp and will be considered for funding through the ELP.