More information
Description
The Project aim is to activate the civic society skills in select schools (representatives of national minorities, 90
pupils) by realization of creative practical civic activities, which would allow both students and their families to
participate in state-building and the co-responsibility for processes in their city or region. The project will develop
inclusion of Russian speaking minority (school pupils and their families) in order to develop democratic processes
and their responsibility.
The aim is further to extend the institutional impact (through the education system) of the national civic education. In
this way the project aims to prove that being an active citizen does not just mean getting up during the anthem and
participate in elections. The involvement of young people, parents, and grandparents will ensure the successful
impact of the project, and the creation of dialogue and activity in a passive society characteristic for post-Soviet
states.The project would run over 2.5 academic years (5 semesters), and be implemented in Riga, Ogre, and
Jelgava. The following activities will be implemented: "Add oil to civic engines!" (non-formal education), "Out of the
box", "Want it? Then do it!" (civic exercise event). Final CONFERENCE- report "Scaling up - opportunities and
challenges".
Representatives of the project''s target group will answer following questions: Why is our society so passive? Are
my ideas necessary and realistic? The project''s target group will be continually and interactively charged with
unique initiatives that in PRACTICE will promote PERMANENT involvement in the understanding and impact of city,
regional, and national issues. The project will promote the growth of long-term civic competencies among the target
group, as well as understanding, critical thinking, and the ability to get involved and solve local issues in a
communal and responsible way.
Summary of project results
The ACF strategic project aimed to address several significant challenges related to civic engagement among Russian-speaking youth and their families in Latvia. The main challenges were:
Underrepresentation of Russian-speaking youth in civic activities
Historically, civic engagement projects in Latvia primarily targeted Latvian-speaking youth, leaving the Russian-speaking minority underrepresented. The project sought to bridge this gap by engaging Russian-speaking young people, who have traditionally been less involved in civic activities and national discourse.Low proficiency in the state language among Russian-speaking students
Many Russian-speaking students in Latvia have low proficiency in the Latvian language, which hinders their participation in national civic initiatives. This language barrier prevents them from fully engaging in discussions and activities related to national and local issues.Cynicism and detachment towards Latvian politics
Russian-speaking youth often exhibit a cynical and detached attitude towards Latvian politics. Research has shown that they feel disconnected from the country’s political life, primarily due to the dominance of the Latvian language and culture in public discourse.Limited motivation and support for developing a national identity
There is a lack of encouragement for Russian-speaking youth to develop a sense of Latvian national identity and critical thinking skills. This lack of motivation has contributed to their disengagement from democratic processes and a limited understanding of their role in society.Isolation and passivity due to reliance on Russian-language media
The widespread use of Russian-language media and communication within Russian-speaking communities has created an isolated environment. This reinforces passivity and disengagement from state issues, as the discussions in these communities do not align with those in the broader Latvian society.Lack of cross-cultural engagement opportunities
The gap between Latvian-speaking and Russian-speaking populations has been perpetuated by the lack of opportunities for cross-cultural engagement. This isolation has made it difficult for Russian-speaking youth to participate in or contribute to national conversations about Latvia’s future.
The project aimed to address these challenges by providing Russian-speaking students and their families with opportunities for active participation in civic life, promoting democratic values, national identity, and critical thinking, and fostering long-term engagement in Latvia’s democratic processes.
Survey of civic engagement before and after the projecthttps://aifuzmanibu.mozellosite.com/jaunumi/
Activity involved conducting surveys of the target group before and after the project. The development of the survey questions was carried out by the Norwegian partner, focusing on the civic engagement, attitudes, and willingness of the target group—Russian-speaking minority students and their families—toward democracy and the activation of democratic culture. Based on the survey results, the Norwegian partner created a study with specific conclusions and recommendations, as well as guidelines. The first round of the survey, conducted before the project, was implemented in several schools across Latvia, with 312 responses received. A similar survey was conducted after the project, assessing the students'' sense of belonging, common conclusions, and values. This survey involved 114 project participants and 279 Russian-speaking minority students from schools that were not part of the project. The results showed that the Russian-speaking youth who participated in the project were more positive and optimistic about Latvia, its values, and their life in the country. These students expressed a more active attitude toward various situations and statements. The survey results clearly indicated that achieving progress in young people''s knowledge, attitudes, and favorability toward the state and democracy projects is a long-term effort, particularly in extracurricular settings.
Methodological guidelines “How to Activate Minority Youth in Civic Life in Latvia”
Methodological guidelines were developed at the conclusion of the project. These guidelines, created with valuable input from Norwegian partners, aimed to address the systemic challenges surrounding civic knowledge and skills among minority youth in Latvia, offering practical recommendations for increasing their engagement in civic life. The focus was on empowering youth by fostering a sense of identity and encouraging attitude changes that serve as the foundation for a vibrant civic society. The guidelines were widely disseminated to the schools involved in the project, other educational institutions, the Norwegian Embassy, and researchers from Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences. This activity has had a significant impact by providing an essential resource for future initiatives in both the NGO sector and the educational system. The guidelines have been well-received and serve as a key reference point for the continued development of civic competencies among minority youth in Latvia, ensuring their meaningful participation in the country’s democratic processes.
Youth non-formal education initative “Add Oil to Civic Engines”
This activity aimed to shift students'' perceptions from feeling disconnected from the state to engaging in democratic processes. Through hands-on experiences, youth developed leadership and civic participation skills. They discussed global and national issues, explored leadership opportunities, and received legal consultations on topics like state structure and freedom of speech. The project included field trips where students engaged with local NGOs, visited cultural sites, and participated in history-related activities. They also explored ways to engage with youth centers while reflecting on societal issues like healthcare and education. The impact included a deeper understanding of democratic processes, enhanced leadership and communication skills, and a stronger sense of national identity. Overall, the activity successfully engaged Russian-speaking youth, fostering greater civic responsibility and democratic participation.
Activity: "Out of the Box"
Positive, inclusive, engaging, and innovative Latvian language workshops were organised which brought together project participants and their families, uniting them to implement civic activities that strengthen the value of the state language and encourage its use.
Civic exercise event “Want it? Then do it!"
The activity effectively united project participants and their families in the execution of meaningful civic activities and initiatives. Each city team actively engaged in identifying local community needs and making impactful improvements. For instance, the team in Jelgava restored benches, while the team in Ogre refurbished a notice board and wall. Meanwhile, the team in Riga created a relaxation corner and renovated a garage. With valuable guidance from mentors and specialists, these efforts not only enhanced local environments but also empowered participants to hone their planning, communication, and collaboration skills, fostering a deeper sense of community engagement and shared responsibility.
The project significantly enhanced the civic competences of Russian-speaking youth, helping them build a stronger sense of belonging to Latvia and a greater commitment to active participation in civic life. One of the key achievements was an improvement in the participants’ Latvian language skills, which boosted their confidence in communicating in the national language. This newfound ability also led to increased engagement in extracurricular activities, competitions, and projects, with youth demonstrating a deeper interest in contributing to their communities.
The project successfully fostered a stronger sense of belonging to Latvia, with many youth expressing a desire to live in the country and support key national values, such as military service. It also contributed to their personal growth by encouraging students facing learning difficulties or mental health challenges to engage more actively, thus promoting greater tolerance and empathy among them. This shift not only improved their skills in civic engagement but also nurtured a deeper understanding of their role in Latvian society.
The project had a significant impact on the participants’ civic participation, with many becoming more informed about current events and more active in democratic processes, including voting. Their families also benefited, gaining a better understanding of democratic principles and European values. Additionally, the youth grew more comfortable participating in Latvian-language events, such as projects and the Youth Parliament, which further encouraged their involvement in public life.
Over time, some of the participants may go on to organize their own initiatives or take on leadership roles in the future. The long-term influence of the project will remain, serving as a reminder of the positive changes that the participants contributed to in their communities. This transformation was not only about acquiring new knowledge and skills but also about shifting attitudes towards civic responsibility and engagement.
The project''s success has also prompted school leadership and decision-makers to consider involving Russian-speaking youth more actively in future initiatives, aiming to strengthen their loyalty and Latvian language skills. The insights gained from the project will be valuable in shaping future reforms and ensuring that civic engagement is a priority for all youth. Scientific validation of the project''s results and feedback from participants will further support future advocacy efforts and provide a solid foundation for similar projects.
Several participants have already demonstrated impressive growth, such as participating in business incubator competitions, performing on radio, or becoming more fluent in Latvian. An unexpected but inspiring outcome of the project was that one of the mentors, deeply moved by the experience, decided to pursue a career in youth psychology, aiming to continue supporting young people in school environments. This change exemplifies the long-lasting impact of the project and its role in shaping the future of its participants.
Summary of bilateral results
The partnership with the Norwegian partner was highly valuable, particularly in the development of methodology, survey content, and conclusions. The collaboration provided a broad global perspective on the impact of integration and societal processes on individual attitudes towards citizenship. The Norwegian partner also brought a strong network of connections across other EU countries, which was an important asset for the project.