10.7 Raising awareness about youth work
On this page
Information providers
Information about youth policy and other related information, as well as statistical data and researches on different youth issues, is published on the website of the Ministry of Education and Science. Website of the Ministry of Education and Science: in Latvian | in English.
The portal serves as a guide where wide-ranging information on youth policy is available. Information and links to access necessary and interesting information on different themes, such as youth employment possibilities, education, involvement, culture, sport, etc. are also available in the portal. Additionally, there are a youth organisations database and a youth affairs co-ordinators database that include contact information. Portal of youth issues: in Latvian | in English.
The database of researches and publications collects all studies, publications, and methodologies of public institutions starting from 2000. Besides, a list of prospective studies, publications and methodologies planned for the two years ahead is also available in the database. Database of researches and publications available on the website of the State Chancellery in Latvian.
Statistical databases about the social, economic, environmental and other issues are freely available on the website of the Central Statistical Bureau. Although youth statistics are not grouped as a separate category of the database, by selecting data by age parameters, it is possible to obtain varied information about the youth target group. Databases of the Central Statistical Bureau: in Latvian | in English.
Key initiatives
To promote Youth work since 2016 the Ministry of Education and Science has organised an annual contest, “Youth Capital City of Latvia”. As a result of this contest, a local government is selected and declared as the Youth Capital City for the next year. Throughout the year, different youth events and initiatives of youth work and youth participation take place there. In 2016 the winner was the city of Jelgava, in 2017 – the city of Liepaja, in 2018 – the city of Madona, in 2019 – cooperation between the municipalities of Ikskile and Olaine, in 2020 – the city of Ventspils.
The Ministry of Education and Science also organises an annual contest, “The Best in Youth Work”, whose aim is to express the appreciation of the Ministry of Education and Science to the local governments, to persons who are involved in youth work, as well as to youth organisations and associations that perform youth work investing in improving the quality of life of young people.
Efforts to reach youngsters
Today's trends indicate that one of the most popular activities for children and adolescents is following various Internet "celebrities" - video story-makers and influencers on the YouTube platform. Therefore, taking into consideration the Internet usage habits of young people and in order to reach an even wider audience of Latvian youth, the Ministry of Education and Science has collaborated with Youtube.com video story makers - young people who are popular with their peers. As a result of this collaboration in 2018, a total of five video stories were created and published on various topics relevant to youth work.
In order to inform a wider group of young people about current issues in youth policy, participation opportunities, voluntary work, youth center initiatives, etc., the Ministry of Education and Science disseminated information on the above-mentioned issues topical to young people through Latvian radio pieci.lv. Radio pieci.lv is a public media that is especially popular among youngsters, as it brings together different opinion leaders between young people. As a result of the cooperation, events were organized in the regions in, as well as different podcasts about issues in regards to European Youth Goals were created in 2019 and the collaboration will continue in 2020.
National Agency for International Programs for Youth
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Latvian youth participation in or participation in international European youth exchange, initiative, solidarity or volunteering projects. Overall, around 100,000 young people in Latvia have taken advantage of these opportunities, according to data compiled by the Agency for International Programs for Youth. To promote the opportunities Europe offers to young people, National Agency invites young people and youth workers to a photo exhibition "The Moment", which will be on view from December 6 to 20 at the Latvian National Library (M floor).
The photos included in the exhibition are different moments of photography from different projects implemented by young people in Latvia and abroad. “With this exhibition, we want to show young people in Latvia how vast their opportunities are across Europe and how great and lasting an impact can be even with a project that lasts only a few days. At the same time, we would like to remind that "Erasmus+: Youth in Action" and "European Solidarity Corps" projects are open to all young people in Latvia, regardless of their place of residence, knowledge of foreign languages, grade level at school, the financial status of the family or other factors. It is planned that this exhibition of JSPA will visit all regions of Latvia in 2020, visiting Kurzeme, Vidzeme, Latgale and Zemgale.