6.9 Awareness-raising about non-formal and informal learning and quality youth work
On this page
On this page
Information providers / counselling structures
The website of the Agency for International Programs for Youth provides all the latest information related to latest news in non-formal education and programmes, trainings, seminars and other possibilities. Also, the information related to non-formal education and youth work is published online in social media accounts – on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube. In addition to distribution of printed and digital information, the AIPY also issues a “Youth” (Jaunatne) magazine, the main target audience of which are youth employees and young people, it summarises the latest information on the field of non-formal education, methods of non-formal education implemented in Erasmus +: Youth in Action projects, which allows young people to better know non-formal education and stimulates them to get involved in its activities at national and international level.
On an annual basis, the Agency also issues several methodical materials, which help to understand preparation and implementation of non-formal education projects. They are available as hard and soft copies – http://jaunatne.gov.lv/lv/informativie-materiali-0
AIPY administers the European Information Network for young people, which is operating in 34 European countries, answers to questions of young people about and around Europe – also about non-formal education and international projects in the field of youth.
Eurodesk has a database with descriptions, documentations and contacts of over 150 European financing programmes, the Eurodesk database is available on the central Eurodesk website, as well as on the AIPY website.
Questions can be asked here: http://jaunatne.gov.lv/lv/tavs-jautajums
To make the information on non-formal education, the Erasmus+ programme and European mobility opportunities available also in Latvian regions, regional coordinators and contact points of the agency are operating in different Latvian cities.
Eurodesk contact points (CP)
Eurodesk contact points are organisations (state, local government or NGO, but not private persons or profitable organisations), which distribute information on Erasmus+: Youth in Action, Eurodesk and the European Youth portal. Any organisation wishing to cooperate may become a contact point by submitting an application. The organisations organise different information events on the Erasmus+: Youth in Action programme, Eurodesk and the European Youth portal, consult young people. The organisations have the possibility to receive handouts, representation materials of the agency (the organisations place them on stands, as well as at informative events), participate in trainings, as well as receive agency news.
Eurodesk regional coordinators (RC)
Eurodesk regional coordinators are organisations (state, local government or NGO, but not private persons or profitable organisations), which distribute information on Erasmus+: Youth in Action, Eurodesk and the European Youth portal. These organisations have a special access to the First Class system, where they can network and contact coordinators of different EU countries. Regional coordinators are identified through procurements, which are announced at the beginning of each year. The organisation organises different information events on the Erasmus+: Youth in Action programme, Eurodesk and the European Youth portal, consults young people. The organisations have the possibility to receive handouts (the organisations place them on stands, as well as at informative events), representation materials, participate in trainings, receive agency news, as well as receive funding for the implementation of activities in the region to the extent possible.
The AIPY also administers the European Youth Portal, when young people can search for useful information, including on non-formal education and its activities, in English and in the national language.
Awareness raising initiatives
In order to facilitate cooperation between the parties involved in the implementation of youth policy and support youth work in local governments, promoting the understanding of work with young people, within the framework of the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments, a Youth Support Network (hereinafter network) of the Latvian Municipalities has been established covering all 119 municipalities in Latvia.
In order to coordinate the network activities, a team of coordinators of the Latvian municipal youth affairs network has been set up, which regularly meets in person (hereafter the working group), which consists of 26 municipalities working with youth workers, 5 representatives of planning regions, 1 representative of the Ministry of Education and Science, 1 Latvia Representative of the Union of Local and Regional Governments.
Within the coordination group, various videoconferences are organized on topics that have been identified as essential by the members of the coordinating working group, local government schemes for youth with members of this group have been established, various information on various training, seminars, conferences and coordinating work The group provides its comments, opinions, if necessary for the FTA's work in youth affairs.