Nini’s Journey of Confidence, Leadership and Growth
For 21-year-old Nini Iosebashvili from Lower Khodasheni, Telavi Municipality, what began with youth activities in her village grew into a journey of personal development, leadership and professional growth.
“I have been involved with World Vision since I was about six years old, and I am still here.”
From participant to Youth Leader
Nini first joined World Vision activities at school, where she and other students took part in trainings and camps organised for children at her school by World Vision Georgia.
After classes, Nini and other students participated in regular sessions focused on personal development, physical activities, creativity and diverse projects. Looking back, Nini says those early experiences played an important role in shaping the person she is today.
Later, as a first-year university student, Nini Iosebashvili learned about an opportunity for young people to become leaders of a SKYE Club, supported through an EU-funded youth initiative.
The Youth Club was part of the SKYE NET (Skills and Knowledge for Youth Empowerment) project, implemented by World Vision Georgia and financially supported by the European Union.
The project aimed to empower young people with knowledge, practical skills and opportunities to participate more actively in economic and democratic life, while strengthening their entrepreneurial and career management skills and supporting their personal growth, future success and career development.
Nini decided to take a chance and apply. She was selected as a SKYE Club leader and joined a group of young people from different regions of Georgia for dedicated leadership training that took place in Bakuriani, a mountainous region of the country.
The training equipped Nini with practical skills in facilitation, communication, public speaking, and group work. Highly interactive and based on a learning-by-doing approach, it aimed to prepare participants to become future leaders and trainers who could lead Youth Clubs in their regions and communities.
Young leaders were encouraged to take an active role throughout the training by leading activities, practising session facilitation, delivering presentations, and learning from one another.
“I cannot fail to mention how important these trainings were for my development. The fact that I can sit here today, communicate confidently and tell my story is exactly thanks to those trainings and valuable experiences," says Nini.
"For young people like us growing up in villages, the opportunity to meet peers from other communities and take part in activities beyond our immediate surroundings was particularly valuable.”
When Nini returned to Telavi, Kakheti Region as a SKYE Club leader, she took on the responsibility of bringing together young people from different villages who had never met before.
Nini began organising sessions and leading a Youth Club of more than 33 members, where young people actively participated in workshops, educational games and a range of community projects.
“In the beginning, my heart was beating so fast that I thought it would jump out of my chest. I was afraid of taking this responsibility and wondering whether I would be able to do it.”
Her concerns, however, quickly faded. Throughout her time with the SKYE Club, Nini witnessed significant changes—not only in herself, but also in the young people she worked with.
At first, some participants were hesitant to speak up, express themselves, or take an active role. Gradually, they became more confident and communicative, and more willing to share their ideas.
The club became a welcoming space where the local youth could meet, socialise, and learn from one another. They developed practical skills in public speaking and presentations, while also exploring business ideas and working together on projects.
The SKYE Club also gave young people an opportunity to turn their ideas into real initiatives. With limited resources available in their villages, they looked for creative ways to bring their communities together and make a difference.
One of their most successful initiatives was a series of free film screenings for local residents, particularly valuable in a region like Kakheti, where there is no cinema. Another initiative focused on inclusion and building empathy towards people with disabilities.
The Youth Club members visited a local centre, prepared a performance, sang and danced with the children, and brought them presents. Through these experiences, young people discovered that they could take the lead in their communities, respond to local challenges, develop solutions, turn their creativity into meaningful projects and ,most importantly, take action themselves.
A journey that continues
Nini is proud of the work she accomplished together with her Youth Club members and of the initiatives and activities they carried out in their community. The experience she gained through the SKYE Club has also continued to shape her professional journey.
Through the SKYE NET project, Nini also participated in an exchange programme in Armenia, where she had the opportunity to meet other young leaders from different countries, exchange experiences, and take part in valuable training sessions led by professional coaches on entrepreneurship and green business.
Through the same project, and with support from World Vision, Nini learned about another international exchange programme - the Erasmus+ Youth Exchange “LightUP” in Spain. She applied and was successfully selected to participate.
This was the first time she visited an EU country; an experience that broadened her horizons and gave her greater confidence in exploring new opportunities.
“This was an unforgettable experience, as it was my first time travelling on my own, navigating my journey to the final destination, and communicating in English. It helped me overcome my fears and break through that barrier, giving me greater confidence in myself and my abilities." said Nini.
"It was a huge learning experience that contributed greatly to my personal development. The short-term programme focused on teamwork, active citizenship, and youth development, giving me valuable knowledge and skills while also allowing me to make many international friends.”
The experience strengthened something that has become central to Nini’s approach to life: belief in her own ability to overcome challenges.
Today, Nini combines her studies at Telavi University, where she is studying Wine Production—an important part of the culture and economy of her region—with her work as a call centre operator in one of the mobile network companies. Additionally, she took on a leadership role in another wave of the Youth Club in Kakheti Region, serving as a youth coach and supporting participants throughout the programme.
Nini also continues to be actively involved with World Vision where she is taking an internship course that will enable her to work with children with special needs through therapy-related services. For Nini, the communication and interpersonal skills developed through youth leadership have become directly relevant to her career.
Nini’s journey illustrates the long-term impact youth programmes can have when young people are not only given the opportunity to participate, but are also trusted as leaders and empowered to put their skills into practice.
Looking ahead, Nini hopes to establish her own wine brand and produce high-quality traditional Georgian wine, while also pursuing a career as a professional therapist and supporting children in her local community.
“The EU-funded projects and World Vision have given me so much knowledge, confidence, and strength. Without these opportunities, I would not have come this far or continued developing myself to this day. I will always be grateful for the valuable experiences and opportunities I have gained," said Nini.
"Thanks to opportunities like these, I believe our generation can help build a European future for Georgia, one where young people are empowered to realise their potential, contribute to their communities, and turn their ideas into meaningful innovations,” she notes.