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Description
One of the significant challenges facing Estonian society, as well as other Baltic countries and the entire Western world, is a trend where people increasingly prefer to engage less in long-term voluntary work and refrain from becoming members of CSO. Short-term voluntary involvements are favored, which do not establish a lasting commitment to any particular organization. This leads to a shortage of successors for CSOs, both at the ordinary member and leadership levels. Hence, there is a recognized need to connect young individuals with well-functioning CSOs and not to confine them to short-term voluntary work but rather allow them to explore the substantive aspects of organizational management, impact-related challenges, strategy, etc. This approach could potentially spark a greater interest in forming lasting connections with civil society and increase in civic participation.
The aim of the project is to launch DD Academy''s youth development and leadership program in Latvia and Lithuania. The program has proved itself in Estonia as an innovative way of learning to analyze democratic practices and putting them into action. For that DD Academy will recruit a group of volunteers in Latvia and Lithuania who will be responsible for future running of the program in LV and LT and program participants of the pilot group and carry out pilot programs in both LV and LT. Recruited volunteers are also the project’s main target group (appr. 50 people during the project) as are DD Academy participants (appr. 150 people during the project). Main end-beneficiaries are CSOs of Baltic states as program graduates are active citizens and likely to join CSOs or be otherwise actively involved in societal affairs.
As a result of the project, Domus Dorpatensis has opened sustainable DD Academy programs in all three Baltic states. In the program participants learn to analyze and develop democratic practices. This will improve democracy and civic activism in all Baltic states.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to enhance Domus Dorpatensis'' capabilities in three essential areas: securing partners and sponsors, building a strong network, and improving communication. The overarching objective was to establish three sustainable DD Academy programs across the Baltic states. To achieve this, the project sought to engage partners and secure sponsorships for key resources such as premises, transportation, and food. Additionally, efforts were directed toward forming a network of local civil society organizations and active individuals, as well as executing effective recruitment campaigns in all three countries. Another key goal was the development of an expansion model that would facilitate further growth across Europe.
The project experienced some unexpected delays and changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. In 2021, it became clear that expansion to Lithuania was not feasible under the current circumstances. As a result, the project''s focus shifted to sustaining the program in Riga for participants who had begun in the fall of 2021, conducting a facilitator training program in the summer of 2022, and launching a marketing campaign in the fall of 2022 to attract suitable candidates.
Originally designed to drive organizational change and expansion, the project''s primary objective during the pandemic became maintaining the systems developed within DD Academy and retaining dedicated volunteers committed to running the program. Volunteer training remained a key priority, with the project enabling the involvement of an external trainer for a specialized session on securing sponsors and partners. A total of 25 volunteers received training, and new support structures were implemented, including a coaching system to foster volunteer development. As a result, many volunteers remained engaged long-term, with some transitioning into full-time roles that furthered Domus Dorpatensis'' mission.
Collaboration with six different NGOs through the design thinking module provided participants with firsthand experience of the work, challenges, strategy, and management of these organizations, encouraging some to later join them. The project successfully recruited individuals from Estonia and Latvia, with 150 applicants and 98 selected participants. While the program in Riga was initially postponed in 2020 despite accepting 23 participants, it was relaunched in 2021. With project support, Riga participants were also able to travel to Tartu to engage in the Tartu DD Academy program, ensuring continuity of activities into the spring of 2022.
The most significant and sustainable outcome of the project is the impact on the young people who participated in the DD Academy program. For many, the program has been transformative, equipping them with a deeper understanding of societal issues and the skills, knowledge, and mindset necessary to take meaningful action. Many participants have already become, or are on the path to becoming, active citizens with the tools to drive change, advocate for human rights, and uphold democratic values in a strategic and impactful manner.
Beyond their participation in the program, many have been inspired to continue working toward social change—whether within Domus Dorpatensis, other CSOs, or broader societal initiatives. Several participants have joined the CSOs they collaborated with during the program, and it is expected that many will go on to become experts, project managers, leaders, or even founders of new organizations.
The project also led to the development of an expansion model, outlining the necessary steps to establish a program in new countries. This structured approach provides a roadmap for future growth.
Additionally, long-term collaborations were established with several universities in Riga, particularly Riga Technical University and Riga Graduate School of Law, which provided venues for DD Academy sessions. Through these partnerships, valuable personal connections were formed and maintained, strengthening the organization''s ability to build strategic alliances. As a result, Domus Dorpatensis has enhanced its capacity to engage potential partners, effectively communicate its mission, and secure necessary support for future initiatives.