There are about 3 million young people, aged 15-24 in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, many of whom have no access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information, counseling or services. Young people have distinct SRH needs, which can only be met through targeted information and services.

• Around 20 percent of the total population in South Caucasus is aged between 15-24

• More then half of new the HIV/AIDS infections are among those aged 15-24

• Married adolescents often have little or no access to family planning services

• Unwanted pregnancies still remain a significant problem among young women aged 15-24

• Number of young patients with STIs are growing tremendously

Adolescence and youth is a period of transition, characterized by both physical and emotional change, as well as pressures and challenges. Young people are eager to learn and explore, making it a time when information, education and quality services can result in healthy attitudes and behaviors for life.

Youth reproductive health is one of the most essential topics in the UNFPA agenda to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs, with particular emphasis on a health and reproductive health issues cannot be achieved without investing in youth. Addressing the S&RH needs of young people is crucial to build healthy society and future.

Inter-country collaboration on Youth S&RH and rights

The project aims to strengthen collaboration among three countries. In partnership with the project partner organization in Brussels - European Parliamentary Forum (EPF) project plans to strengthen existing S&RH related networks and bring stakeholders together to improve national/regional youth friendly S&RH legislation, policies, standards and programme frameworks; Advocate for youth friendly S&RH services with parliamentarians, governmental officials, public health administrators, educational authorities and mass media; promote joint capacity building events for NGO's and youth organizations to improve their negotiation and networking capacities.

Across the RHIYC, the emphasis is placed upon community participation and the sharing of knowledge and information to support behavior changes, counseling and services. NGO activities in three countries include:

• Making youth – friendly information and services available at youth information centers at the universities;

• Training peer educators to share S&RH information with their peers;

• Developing messages for healthy behavior change though information website, TV, Radio, and campaigns involving young people (festivals, contests, etc) ;

• Working to educate community leaders, parents on adolescent S&RH issues.

The RHIYC action aims to make sustainable improvements in the Sexual and Reproductive Health and rights of youth. The main target group is youth aged 15-24 including vulnerable young people.

A gender perspective is integrated into the project addressing the roles, responsibilities and needs of boys and young men, as well as girls and young women.

The RHIYC recognizes that improving the S&RH of young people requires strong partnerships. Through active collaboration, the diverse expertise and resources of the local and international NGOs, UNFPA and EU creates synergy to increase our impact and achieve better results.

The RHIYC is EUR 3 million project funded by the European Union and UNFPA.

The RHIYC is improving the sexual and reproductive health of young people by using the following strategies:

• Leading advocacy efforts to increase political and community support for adolescent sexual and reproductive health;

• Informing, educating and communicating with youth about their S&RH rights;

• Improving availability of and access to quality youth friendly S&RH services;

• Strengthening the S&RH policy environment through national and inter-country networking.

EU/UNFPA funded programme Reproductive Health Initiative for Youth in the South Caucasus (RHIYC) is a large-scale, multi-party initiative focusing on the health development, and empowerment of young people in the region in sexual and reproductive health and rights issues. Project targets are youth between 15-24 in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.

Programme Objectives:

• Safer sexual behavior among youth, though increased awareness and improved knowledge on S&RH (Sexual and Reproductive Rights) and rights issues, including puberty, sexuality, childbirth, fertility regulation, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) including HIV/AIDS and gender-based violence;

• Innovative approaches replicated and tested and capacities built for the delivery of youth-friendly S&RH services and improved access to affordable contraception;

• Inter-country collaboration on youth's S&RH and rights between parliamentarians, educational and health authorities, youth oriented NGO's, national experts and young peer-educators from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.