Project Objective
The main aim of our project is to increase the participation of young people, particularly those with fewer opportunities, in various activities. We hope that by creating an accessible and inclusive environment, young people will participate more actively in community activities, thereby improving their social skills and boosting their self-confidence. For example, we plan to organise regular meetings and forums where young people can share their ideas and engage in dialogue on community issues. Through this project, we aim to improve the spaces available to young people, creating a lively and inspiring atmosphere. Before developing the project, we carried out research, including surveys of young people, and found that they want to make the spaces ‘more lively’ with colourful wall murals and creative decorations. We plan to create a co-working area where young people will be able to work on their projects, organise group study sessions or even creative workshops, which will enable them to develop their skills both individually and in a group. During the project, young people will be involved in the design and furnishing of the spaces, for example by creating wall paintings and decorations that reflect their interests and culture. This will not only motivate them to participate actively, but will also provide a platform where they can realise their ideas and creativity. We aim to promote young people’s digital skills by integrating digital tools into the activities in the spaces and using social media to publicise the project. We plan to organise workshops on the use of digital tools, such as graphic design software and video editing, enabling young people to learn how to create creative content and share it on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. Furthermore, we are committed to creating a greener environment by introducing recycling bins and carrying out activities that reduce the amount of waste produced. We plan to organise educational workshops on sustainable living and environmental protection, where young people will learn about waste reduction techniques, composting and resource management.
Project Target Group
The project’s target audience is young people aged 13–30 from the town of Bauska (the local community) who live in or spend their free time in Bauska and the surrounding area. We particularly wish to involve young people who have not previously been actively involved in civic life, and to pay special attention to young people with limited opportunities and facing various barriers, such as mobility impairments, learning difficulties, economic vulnerability, communication difficulties, young people from rural areas, various addictions and the like. In total, the project plans to involve at least 150 young people, of whom at least 50 will be young people with limited opportunities. The most active group of young people is expected to be aged between 14 and 17, who are currently the most regular
visitors to our youth centres. We will reach a wider audience by using creative ‘TikTok’ content, as well as by collaborating with educational institutions, social services and the State Probation Service. Our organisation has currently signed a memorandum of understanding with the State Probation Service, as well as a service agreement with the Social Services Department of Bauska District Council.
Main Activities
- Informal group “Time for Art”
- Project team discussions
- Informal events
Expected Project Outcomes
During the project, we will create an inclusive and diverse environment for young people that will be sustainable in the long term. Our aim is to create spaces where young people, regardless of their abilities, feel safe and included. The spaces will be accessible to people with mobility impairments, ensuring they can actively participate in various informal activities. Young people will be invited to get involved in the design of the spaces, creating colourful drawings and creative decorations that will foster their creativity and enhance the overall atmosphere. The ‘youth-to-youth’ principle will play a key role in the project; this will be developed by creating a platform where young people can share their experiences and knowledge, helping one another to grow. This approach will not only encourage active participation but also forge closer bonds between young people, which is essential for creating a cohesive community. We are committed to creating an environmentally friendly atmosphere by introducing a waste sorting system, phasing out plastic tableware and encouraging young people to reuse resources. We will organise educational workshops on sustainable living and environmental protection, such as activities on how to creatively reuse seemingly useless items, thereby developing new skills and promoting a greener lifestyle. As part of the project, we will focus on developing young people’s digital skills by integrating digital tools into the organisation of activities. Young people will learn how to create digital content, organise surveys and use technology to document their experiences. We plan to develop a QR code-based registration system, which will reduce paper usage and enable more effective tracking of venue attendance, whilst improving access to resources for the community. The project will encourage young people’s active participation by providing opportunities to be involved in decision-making regarding the layout of the premises and the activities held there. In collaboration with the Democracy Academy, young people will learn about the principles of democracy and take part in games designed to build understanding of this topic. In addition, we will engage in dialogue with local decision-makers, sharing our experience regarding the need for an accessible environment for young people and inviting them to actively participate in our project. Such cooperation will strengthen the bond between young people and the local community, promoting satisfaction and understanding of youth issues within the local authority, as well as improving the resources available for all young people to use.