Across Kyrgyzstan, many young people face growing psychosocial challenges, limited access to mental health services and persistent social inequalities. These issues affect not only individual wellbeing but can also contribute to wider social tensions — particularly in communities where safe spaces for dialogue and support are lacking.

In response, the “Birge” (Together) project creates opportunities for young people to support one another, build trust and develop the skills needed to foster more peaceful and inclusive communities. 

Building safe spaces for support

At the core of the project are anonymous peer support groups, where young people meet in a safe and confidential environment.

These spaces promote empathy, mutual understanding and respect, allowing participants to share personal experiences without fear of judgment. In contexts where mental health remains stigmatized, such spaces are especially important.

Through regular meetings, participants develop skills such as active listening, emotional awareness and respect for personal boundaries. Over time, this helps reduce isolation and strengthen social cohesion. 

Addressing barriers to youth participation

Young people in Kyrgyzstan often face limited opportunities to participate in decision-making, as well as harmful gender norms. Psychosocial barriers — including stress, trauma and lack of support — further restrict their engagement.

The Birge project addresses these challenges by combining mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) approaches with youth empowerment and peacebuilding.

This dual approach strengthens both individual resilience and collective capacity. 

From research to action

The project began with a baseline study involving more than 900 young people aged 18–35.

The findings revealed significant unmet psychosocial and social needs, which informed the design of targeted interventions.

An open call was then launched, and 15 young participants were selected and trained in:

• basic and behavioural psychology
• emotional regulation
• understanding violence

Following the training, they became mentors and facilitated peer support groups in their communities. 

Strengthening resilience through peer support

Over six months:

• 347 sessions were conducted
• 1,582 participants were reached

Mentor reports identified more than 1,000 needs, including both psychological and socio-strategic challenges.

This highlights the scale of unmet needs and the importance of accessible, community-based support.

Beyond individual impact, the groups contributed to building trust, reducing tensions and fostering a sense of belonging. 

Linking practice to policy change

To ensure broader impact, the project established an expert working group.

The group reviewed relevant legislation on mental health, youth and protection from violence, and developed analytical recommendations based on both research and field experience.

These recommendations aim to strengthen policies and practices in youth mental health and support systems. 

Towards more inclusive and resilient communities

The Birge project demonstrates how youth-led initiatives can contribute to peacebuilding by addressing psychosocial and social challenges.

By creating spaces for dialogue, strengthening skills and amplifying youth voices, the project supports more inclusive and resilient communities.

As young people gain confidence and the ability to support others, they become active contributors to social cohesion and conflict prevention.