NGO „STUDEM” din Bălți

STUDEM is a democratically governed NGO based in Bălți, active in the youth sector in the Republic of Moldova. The organization runs a Youth Center led by a council of 13 young people elected at STUDEM’s General Assembly through a transparent, participatory process. The Center offers a creative space for young people’s development and is managed by a core team of volunteers; since 2022, it has supported over 50 local youth groups through its grant program as well as by providing space and logistical and methodological support. STUDEM has experience working at the local, regional, and national levels and takes part in international exchanges (including an Erasmus+ mobility to Norway). Since its founding, it has supported and coordinated student council elections in all schools in Bălți, providing training and support aligned with democratic and inclusive principles. In 2024, STUDEM helped organize elections in five districts in the country’s north, facilitating the participation of over 20,000 students. The organization promotes young people’s active engagement in their communities, including in democratic processes, and consistently participates in the development and public consultation of youth-related policies. In parallel, STUDEM collaborates with youth organizations from other regions, developing tools, materials, and training programs on democratic practices and civic participation. This accumulated expertise led the Ministry of Education, in 2023, to invite STUDEM as a partner to revise and update the national guidelines for student councils. Since 2024, STUDEM has had a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Education and Research to promote and develop student self-governance structures—a framework that underpins this project. Operationally, STUDEM has signed cooperation agreements with over 40 educational institutions, strengthening a durable network for youth engagement and for expanding educational and civic impact.