Phonichala Youth Development Program (2022-2024)

Funder: U.S. Department of State, American Embassy, Tbilisi, Georgia

The Phonichala Youth Development Program (PYDP) is addressing serious issues of risk for youth within Phonichala, an ethnic enclave of the city of Tbilisi, Georgia.  Engaging a broad range of community participants and youth in facilitated dialogues to increase trust and opportunities for this community and its youth builds on and applies the lessons learned by PH after fourteen years of successful work creating more resilient communities throughout Georgia.  Legal Socialization has provided a successful foundation for building bridges of trust with law enforcement and empowering community stakeholders to be in control of planning activities that address their priorities.  Youth in Phonichala have many cultural and economic challenges.  PYDP is engaging local stakeholders, parents, and importantly, the youth themselves, in creating positive opportunities and alternatives outside of resource poor schools to provide a safer and more promising future.