19. PUBLICITY MATERIAL
The Latvian – Swiss cooperation program “Support for the Development of Youth Initiatives in Peripheral or
Disadvantaged Regions” (hereinafter – Program) concluded on 31 March 2017, which for the period of almost seven
years was financially supported by Swiss Confederation, dedicating EUR 3,29 for the development of work with
youth in Latvia. The key task of the Program is to support work with youth, diminishing social inequality and
differences between regions and local governments of Latvia. The implementation of the Program is administered
by the Agency for International Programs for Youth and it consists of two components: (1) establishment of multifunctional youth initiative centres in peripheral local governments (2) training, support activities and methodological
materials for training and activating youth and youth workers, which are all mutually complimentary (see
FigureFigure 1).
Figure 1: Components and objectives of the Latvian – Swiss cooperation program.
(Source: Research by the Agency for International Programs for Youth1)
RESEARCH ON IMPACT OF ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN W ITHIN THE LATVIAN - SW ISS
COOPERATION PROGRAM “SUPPORT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH INITIATIVES IN
PERIPHERAL AND DISADVANTAGED REGIONS” UPON LOCAL COMMUNITIES
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:
Overarching objective:
Component objectives:
To
diminish
social
inequalities and differences
between developed and
less developed regions
 To establish multi-functional youth initiative centres in peripheral local
governments
 To provide trainings, activities and methodological materials to youth
and youth workers aimed at enhancing 1) the number of socially active
youth in peripheral local governments; and 2) the sustainability of youth
centres.
PROGRAM TARGET AUDIENCES:
Direct target audience:
Indirect target audience – local community:
 Youth
 Youth workers
 Local government, education establishments, parents of youth and
residents of the local government
The total of 26 multifunctional youth initiative centres (henceforth – MYIC) were established within the framework
of the Program, of which seven are located in Vidzeme Planning Region, six - in Latgale Planning Region, five in
Zemgale Planning Region and four in each of Kurzeme Planning Region and Riga Planning Region as illustrated
in Figure
© Dynamic University, 2017
Figure 2. Data show that in 14 local governments the established MYIC represents the only youth centre in the
whole district2. “Swiss centres” or MYIC differ from other youth centres3 with more spacious and multifunctional
premises involving kitchen, bathroom and WC, accommodation or like in some MYIC’s – even a hostel, as well as
a more up-to-date facilities and inventory. For the purpose of educating and activating youth and youth workers,
more than 180 trainings for youth and youth workers have been organised, 13 youth-oriented events (forums,
conferences) have been held and 15 methodological support materials have been developed. Utmost emphases in
the establishment of MYIC, as well as in the provision of training and organisation of events has been placed on
ensuring appropriate regional representation.
1
2
3
“Dynamic University” Ltd. is undertaking the study “On the impact of activities undertaken within the Latvia – Swiss cooperation
program “Support for the development of youth initiatives in peripheral and disadvantaged regions” upon local communities””
in period September 2016 – February 2017.
Survey of local governments on work with youth in Latvia in 2015 by the Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia.
According to the public annual report 2015 by the Ministry of Education and Science, 185 youth centres are operational in
Latvia, incl. MYIC and day centres. Youth centres have not yet been established in 20 local governments.
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© Dynamic University, 2017
In the period September 2016 through February 2017 a study is being undertaken on the impact of activities
implemented within the framework of the Program on local communities 4. The study involves an analysis on the
Program results and summary of opinions of various participants involved in the Program implementation, incl.
4
Study “On the impact of activities undertaken within the Latvia – Swiss cooperation program “Support for the development of
youth initiatives in peripheral and disadvantaged regions” upon local communities” is undertaken by “Dynamic University” Ltd.
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those of MYIC representatives, experts, youth, local governments and school representatives, as well as the survey of public opinion. The study results demonstrate that according
to MYIC representatives, the major contribution of the Program for the development of work with youth and the Latvian community relates to an enhanced environment for work
with youth in regions, as well as more competent and capable youth workers and more educated and active youth.
© Dynamic University, 2017
Figure 2: MYIC development mapping.
(Source: Research authors)
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Figure 3: Program impact assessment (1 – no impact, 5 – strong impact).
(Source: Survey of MYIC employees undertaken within the framework of the study;
number of respondents: 26)
Development of premises of centres, infrastructure
4.3
4.2
4.2
4.0
4.0
Material and technical basis of centres
Enhancing professionalism of youth workers
Capacity building of youth workers
Youth education
Development of regions
3.8
3.7
Promotion of social equality
Raising interest in youth subject to social risk
3.4
3.3
3.3
Integration of youth subject to social risk in the society
Enhancing youth employment
MYIC are of great importance to young people’s lives as 49,01% of the surveyed youth attend the centre three or
more times a week. Moreover 39.14% of youth attending MYIC have expressed willingness to pay even more visits
per week (see FigureFigure 4). 73,36% of respondents mention opportunities to have a good time as the key
reason for visiting MYIC, whereas 48,36% name events and trainings organised in these centres as major gains.
Several particular instances demonstrate that MYIC serve also as a socially safe and supportive environment for
youth whose daily life would otherwise be adversely affected by socially unfavourable conditions.
Figure 4: Attendance of the Youth Centre.
(Source: Survey of youth undertaken within the framework of study;
number of respondents: 304)
“How often do you visit the Youth Centre?
23.36% 27.30%
13.82%
21.71%
13.82%
“Do you intend to continue visiting the Youth Centre?”
49.34%
39.14%
1.32%
© Dynamic University, 2017
Less than 1-3 times 1-2 times 3-4 times Every day
once per per month per month per month
month
5.92%
4.28%
Yes, but Definitely, Definitely,
No, I won’t
I don’t
come again know, hard less often as often as and more
than to date to date
often
to tell
The Program trainings have resulted in new knowledge and enhanced skills of more than 2 000 youth in the whole
Latvia. Benefits to youth, first of all, relate to personal gains (developed self-confidence, communication and
cooperation skills, initiative and responsibility) and, secondly, it has served as an encouragement for more active
and involved youth initiative and participation. Trainings provided within the Program to youth workers have
enhanced their professionalism and motivation, as well as promoted cooperation in youth area. Almost 1 500
individuals involved in work with youth have participated in these trainings, most often – heads of youth centres,
employees and specialists of youth affairs. Program trainings have covered an extensive area of subjects and,
along with the offer of other international programs (e.g. Erasmus) have covered the void areas of education
attainment opportunities that would otherwise exist in the youth sector of Latvia. Nevertheless, the meaning of the
attained training results is impaired by the high turnover of human resources which is characteristic not only to
MYIC but also to work with youth in Latvia in general. Notwithstanding the extensive and varied training
opportunities offered within the framework of the Program, the education needs of youth workers are still significant.
Trainings and especially the events organised within the framework of the Program have spurred cooperation
between youth workers on regional and national level and have contributed to their involvement in the formation of
the youth policy.
An enhanced youth environment, more professional workers and more extensive education opportunities for youth
are just a part of impact by the Program upon community. According to MYIC representatives, as a result of the
Program young people in regions have become more active, they have become more inclined to involve in social
life and various initiative projects. The Program has resulted also in several other positive side-effects, for instance,
more active involvement by local governments in work with youth, enhanced comprehension on work with youth by
the community and improved urban environment and infrastructure in various districts of Latvia. The study highlights
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some other positive instances when as a result of cooperation between local governments and MYIC social issues
in districts have been unburdened and solved. Nevertheless, this shall not be deemed a general trend of the
Program impact.
Figure 5: Program impact assessment (1 – no impact at all, 5 – strong impact).
(Source: Survey of MYIC employees undertaken within the framework of the Program;
number of respondents: 26)
Youth in regions become more active
4.2
Quality of life of youth improves
4.1
New public “projects” and “initiates” are being initiated
4.1
Youth involve in the life of local community more actively
4.0
Awareness of work with youth is developing in the local
community
3.9
Quality of life in regions is improving
3.8
Local governments pay more attention to the youth policy and
support to youth
3.7
NGO sector is becoming more active
3.3
The number of young people subject to social risk is decreasing
3.2
Youth outflow from regions is decreasing
2.8
The public opinion survey5 shows that if compared to year 2010 when the Program was in the process of
development and preparation6, the public awareness of youth centres has increased. Importantly, public awareness
of youth centres in remote regions and towns is higher than, for example, in Riga Planning Region. More than 50%
of the surveyed Latvian residents are of the opinion that youth centres provide considerable benefit to youth and
local community, hence confirming their views on the positive impact of such centres 7. From the public perspective
youth centres have an equally educational, social and community role.
Also, the surveyed representatives of schools and local governments appreciate the operation of MYIC and their
impact upon youth. School representatives link the success of MYIC not only to the personal development of the
youths, but also to more active, motivated and positive pupils, which is a significant benefit to schools. Local
governments, on the other hand, highlight MYIC positive effect on the promotion of youth activities and public
participation (see Figure Figure 6). The survey also reveals that MYIC and local governments have not formulated
their attitudes towards the extent to which the youth centres should involve themselves with social work. Should
this direction be pursued in the future, it would be essential to reflect that in the increase of the human resources of
the MYIC.
Figure 6: Responses to the question “Are youth who are involved in youth centre more active in the public
life of the local government?”.
(Source: Survey of local government representatives undertaken within the framework of the Program;
number of respondents: 27)
Yes, they get more involved in the implementation of
youth initiatives
81.48
Yes, they get involved in school councils, school authority
77.78
Yes, they are more active in cooperating with the local
government
© Dynamic University, 2017
I don’t know/ I don’t have an opinion
51.85
7.41
The sustainability of attained results is of a great importance in the Program, hence the local governments shall
ensure the operation of MYIC and facilities arranged within the framework of the Program for the needs of work
5
6
7
Public opinion study or survey was undertaken in the period 11.01.2017 – 16.01.2017 with the participation of 1 005
respondents aged 18 - 74.
In 2010, upon the commencement of the Program, the Institute of Social Studies undertook a feasibility study in the area of
youth “Study on the needs and interests of youth training in remote or less developed regions”.
This valuation is attributable to all youth centres in general and not only to MYIC.
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with youth for no less than 10 years following their establishment. MYIC representatives appreciate the future
prospects of these centres; also, the representatives of local governments confirm that there would be no material
obstacles in ensuring the operation of centres in the forthcoming 10 years. Although the local governments
contractual obligations to MYIC have a positive impact on their maintenance, that does not translate into the local
governments interest and support to a holistic work with the youth in their respective region. Not all local
governments where MYIC have been established ensure strategic and methodological support to centres and for
work with youth in the district. The most meaningful preconditions for the sustainability of MYIC are human
resources, financial resources and youth. Survey results demonstrate that local governments are aware of shortage
of capacities of human resources at MYIC which shall be deemed a positive sign for the personnel of these centres
and gives hope for future improvements. Also, the funding is an important aspect in the operation of MYIC, moreover
in the long run. Approximately 30% of local governments indicate that in year 2017 the funding for MYIC will be
larger than before, whereas some local governments (almost 8%) expect to enlarge the funding for MYIC in year
2018. At the same time, the attraction of additional or 3 rd party funding has been mentioned by the representatives
of local governments as one of the centre -related aspect to be enhanced.
© Dynamic University, 2017
The Program results and sustainability analysis provides proposals for further strengthening and development of
MYIC. For the purpose of sustaining the impact of trainings in the long term, the knowledge transfer shall be
supported from youth to youth, actively developing work with young people – leaders. An important area where
MYIC could enhance the understanding and experience of youth via practical workshops is entrepreneurship. The
development of entrepreneurial skills of youth would aid in solving problems pertaining to youth employment and
outflow from regions. To extend the positive impact of trainings on youth workers a regular and closer cooperation
and exchange of experience by MYIC representatives shall be enhanced. Important areas where the competences
of youth workers shall continue to be strengthened are the attraction of funding, the representation of interests of
youth in local governments, development of cross-sectoral cooperation, as well as social work and work with youth
with disabilities. Moreover, the education of representatives of local governments on the role and opportunities of
work with youth in the development of the district shall be continued as local governments will be the key cooperation
partner and supporter of MYIC in the forthcoming 10 years.
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