In October 2025, our US mentor Adrienne Evans took part in a Dave Beckwith Strategic Partnership Program visit to Romania, engaging with youth-led organizations and community initiatives focused on democratic participation and rural development. Traveling to Bucharest, Bacau, Bran, Brasov, (and a quick trip to Malta), Adrienne worked closely with Asociatia Pentru Dezvoltare Activa (ADA), European Youth Village partners, and CeRe. The trip aimed to deepen cross-cultural exchange and explore how youth leadership models can strengthen democratic practices across different contexts.
Throughout the trip, Adrienne gained hands-on experience with the European Youth Village model, enhancing her understanding of participatory, youth-driven community development. She observed how local organizations integrate intergenerational dialogue, shared decision-making, and community-based evaluation into their work, particularly in rural settings. The experience also strengthened her cross-cultural facilitation skills and expanded her knowledge of policy navigation and sustainable democratic frameworks within the Romanian NGO landscape.
Through workshops, strategy sessions, and youth-led discussions, Adrienne supported local partners in exploring ways to adapt and expand the European Youth Village concept, including the potential for future collaboration in the United States. Her engagement with young participants encouraged them to reflect on democratic challenges globally, while laying the groundwork for possible bilateral exchanges and joint programming.
Key moments of the visit included participation in the ERYS 2.5 Summit, working sessions with youth leaders in Bacau, and site visits to community-driven initiatives such as Mama Cozonacilor in Bran. Meetings with CeRe in Bucharest offered additional insight into advocacy, equity, and participatory governance in the region. Overall, the trip highlighted the power of youth-led initiatives and demonstrated how the Dave Beckwith Strategic Partnership Program helps build lasting international partnerships at a time when investment in democratic practice is increasingly vital.
This trip was possible, thanks to the community members and friends of the GLC Alumni Network, who donated to the Dave Beckwith Memorial Fund in previous years. Your contribution makes a difference!
