Active Youth Participation in Local Community Development in Balvi Municipality

Initiative Project IP-005 "Active Youth Participation in Local Community Development in Balvi Municipality"

About project:

The project "Active Youth Participation in Local Community Development in Balvi Municipality" will provide young people with an opportunity to learn about the work of the local government and take an active role in addressing issues that are important to their community. Through non-formal education and a learning-by-doing approach, participants will explore current local challenges, work in teams, and develop proposals for the development of Balvi Municipality.

The project will involve 20 students in Grades 10–12 from educational institutions in Balvi Municipality. At least three participants will be young people at risk of social exclusion or early school leaving.

Project Duration: 1 October 2026-31 July 2027

Project Aim:

The aim of the project is to promote the active and meaningful participation of young people from Balvi Municipality in the development of their local community by providing opportunities to explore and address real issues of local importance. During the project, participants will strengthen their civic, social, and communication skills while developing critical thinking, initiative, and the ability to cooperate with their peers, local government representatives, and the wider community.  

Project Objectives:

At the beginning of the project, 20 participants will be selected in cooperation with educational institutions and the local government of Balvi Municipality. At least three participants will be young people at risk of social exclusion or early school leaving. A safe and supportive environment will be created in which young people can cooperate, express their views, and develop a sense of belonging to their local community.

Participants will learn about opportunities for civic participation and the work of the local government. They will meet representatives of the Education, Culture and Sports Committee and identify issues that are relevant to Balvi Municipality. To deepen their understanding of the selected issue, a study visit or a meeting with an expert in the relevant field will be organised.

The young people will then work in approximately five teams to analyse the selected issue and develop possible solutions. The teams will prepare presentations of their ideas, receive feedback from other participants, experts, and local government representatives, and improve their proposals. Through this process, they will develop their communication, cooperation, critical thinking, problem-solving, and public speaking skills.

After presenting their solutions to representatives of the municipal committee, the participants will develop at least five prototypes with the support of a mentor and test them in a real-life setting in Balvi Municipality. At the end of the project, the participants' learning experience will be evaluated, the results will be compiled, and methodological material will be prepared to support the future use of the youth participation method. Project management, cooperation among the parties involved, documentation, and publicity activities will be ensured throughout the project.

Expected Results:

Approximately five youth teams will be formed. They will develop at least five solutions to issues affecting the local community and present them to representatives of the local government.

At least five solution prototypes will be developed. Depending on the nature of the ideas and the funding available, the prototypes may be tested in a real-life setting in Balvi Municipality.

Participants will improve their cooperation, communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and public speaking skills.

They will gain a better understanding of civic participation and the work of the local government, as well as greater confidence in their ability to influence developments within their local community.

The project will strengthen young people's self-confidence and sense of belonging to their school and local community while fostering closer cooperation among young people, educational institutions, the local government of Balvi Municipality, and the non-governmental sector.

The experience gained during the project will be compiled into methodological material to support the future use of the youth participation method.

Initiative Project IP-005 "Active Youth Participation in Local Community Development in Balvi Municipality" is funded through the "School – Community" project, implemented under European Social Fund Plus Project No. 4.2.3.1/1/24/I/001.

This publication reflects solely the views and opinions of its author, which do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union, the European Commission, or the State Education Development Agency. The European Union, the European Commission, and the State Education Development Agency cannot be held responsible for any use of the information contained in this publication.

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