A short summary project.

 

The aim of the project is to systematically promote social involvement among young people and extending the impact of EVS in Latvia.

 

Statistics demonstrate that Latvian children and youth aged 16-24 years and 25-29 years are at 33.5% and 18.7% risk respectively to live in poverty or social exclusion. Fifteen percent of Latvian 15-29 year-olds are NEET, in other words approximately 63 000 young people are currently not involved neither in employment nor education.

 

The most important factors that increase the risk of young people to live in poverty or social exclusion are:

• Unfavourable environment in families.

• Chemical and psychological addictions (Amongst Latvians aged 15 to 16 years: 80% have smoked at least once, 35% have regular alcohol consumption experience, 22% have tried other drugs).

• Lack of professional and personal competences.

 

The aim of the project is to systematically promote social involvement among young people and extending the impact of EVS in Latvia by organizing the sequence of activities for 1604 persons (children and young people from 6 to 30 years old) in the time period from 1st October 2017 to 31st August 2020 and through it to promote social inclusion of young people in society and the impact of EVS.

 

The project will contribute to young people's social inclusion. For volunteers, through the opportunity to develop their competences and expand general knowledge. For target audience through participation in various activities that will be organized within this project.

 

The following will be implemented:

• Reception of 12 EVS volunteers

• Volunteer support and training activities

• Support young people to involve in EVS in other countries

• The new organization accreditation and support

• Weekly lessons for children and youth

• Campaign "I choose life!" In schools

• Study of the greatest challenges in career choices for young people

• Study of the biggest challenges in the process of raising children

• 8KAYCOM Youth Camp for development of 8 lifelong competencies

• "Master Guide" camp for youth workers

• NEET young people's involvement in voluntary work

• 43 Thematic events

 

All activities will be using alternative education methods - workshops, master classes, games, discussions, learning from experience and experience exchange, mentoring, etc.

 

Result of the project will increase citizens' initiative and level of involvement, raise personal responsibility and the level of skills, as well as reduce the unemployment and crime rates.

 

The impact of the project will be the following: reduction of losses due to irresponsibly executed work at all levels, lack of specialists, poverty level, state costs in connection with unemployment and crime reduction measures. Increase of the stability and sense of security of citizens, raised living standards and income to the state budget, increased number of citizens promoting positive change and innovative projects.

 

Overall, the project will result in increased levels of social inclusion and reduce poverty and social exclusion among young people, and also extend EVS influence in Latvia.

 

Results of the project and the experience gained will be shared with young people, potential volunteers, and NGO leaders, potential sending and host organizations, by this promoting voluntary work and youth initiatives in Europe in the long term.