About project

Involving young people in civic activity with the aim of preserving their health and developing life skills in 3 pilot regions of Russia

Involving young people in civic activity with the aim of preserving their health and developing life skills in 3 pilot regions of Russia Young people do not often think that they might have any health problems. Mental diseases, drug addiction, alcoholism, epidemics of infectious diseases - this is an incomplete list of problems that are increasingly facing the younger generation today. The complexity of the situation can be attributed to the fact that, until recently, some terms and concepts related to health preservation, e.g. “safer sex”, “preventing sexually transmitted infections”, etc., were tabooed in the Russian society. As a result, several generations of parents, teachers, politicians, journalists have grown, who still consider it shameful and inappropriate to talk with young people on some aspects of preserving their health. Those who are willing to promote healthy lifestyle among young people sometimes do not know how to do it clearly and effectively.

Moreover, there is a problem of youth involvement in civic activity in Russia. Therefore, it is very important to promote healthy lifestyle and teach young people life skills in this country. The Russian government is also aware of this – one of the objectives set in the “Health” Priority National Project is to encourage people to lead healthier lifestyle. But this work has just been started and there is lack of experience on the subject, urgent need for effective technologies to work with youth and lack of relevant experts.

This project is implemented by the FOCUS-MEDIA Foundation in cooperation with «Caritas France», with the financial support from the European Commission and Caritas France.

The project purpose is to involve young people aged 13 to 18 in the civic activity to preserve their health and life skills through participation in projects developed by the trained staff of youth organizations in the Chechen Republic, Komi Republic and Lipetsk oblast.