Sarah Dzugova is Project Lead for Triangular, providing young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds with practical and leadership skills in Gateshead. The project aims to empower the young people, while addressing social issues such as the environment, at the same time, fostering a more inclusive and harmonious community.
How would you describe yourself in three words or a sentence?
Ambitious
Determined
Resilient
What inspired you to start the project?
In the past I have been bullied because of my race and I wanted to create a space where young people like myself have a voice. Where they are not silenced, but are empowered to use their voices to amplify their lived experiences and beliefs to help and educate others. I felt like starting a project was the best way of doing this.
Why is your project important?
My project is important as we are always looking for ways of how we can improve ourselves and our environment. This could be in day-to-day activities such as increasing what we recycle and eating more sustainably or organising community clean-ups. We want to use our voices to help improve the environment and are currently brainstorming for more ideas.
Has your project changed someone’s life?
Young people who have been traumatised by bullying are coming together and building their confidence as individuals and as a group. They now feel safe and have a connection within the community and are changing their lives. We are creating a community where shared ideas, beliefs and interests align to campaign for climate action. This affects how they navigate the world and how they see themselves. Thus, changing their lives for good by fostering an environment of support, not judgement.
What do you love doing when you are not working on your project?
I love socialising; going out and having fun with the people I love.
Who is your role model and why?
My older brother inspires me. He dreams of being a music producer and has worked so hard over the past 7 years to achieve this. With sheer dedication and goal-setting, he has improved so much and is now getting noticed by popular artists.
Any tips for a young person starting their own project?
Make sure you create a relationship with your volunteers, understand and negotiate.
See what you can do to help.
Do some careful planning.
Gain a genuine understanding of community needs.
Young people, such as Sarah Dzugova, are transforming communities into safer, more sustainable and more inclusive places to live, powered by the £4.5m Young Gamechangers Fund from Co-op, the Co-op Foundation and the #iwill Fund. The fund is delivered by Global Fund for Children and Restless Development.
