Education Development Center (EDC) participation on strengthening the civic society of Latvia

Description

Aim of the project is to strengthen the capacity of EDC human resources, its institutional and financial sustainability popularizing and attracting funding for implementing the civic and integration programmes developed by EDC to strengthen the civic society of Latvia.  
Activities planned in the project and outcomes. 1. Exploration of needs and development of the action plan for ensuring the efficiency and sustainability of the organization. The EDC employees will evaluate the offer of current services and identify the necessary improvements. It will result in preparing the action plan for improving the programmes and services. 2. Educational training – consultations for strengthening the capacity of EDC employees.  As a result, the quality of the EDC human resources will be increased and the environment for long-term advancement will be established. 3. Development of the offer of services and its popularization to the Latvian society at large. A topical offer of further education/professional development modules will be developed and marketing and public relations activities will be performed for popularizing the new services in the society at large.
The intended communication activities: 1. Established project section in the EDC web page and social media which will provide the information on the project. 2. The kick-off seminar of the project – a discussion for EDC employees and cooperation partners. 3. The final and the sustainability planning conference.
The project implementation will result in decreasing the dependence of the EDC on the project funding, in long-term promoting the efficiency of the organization and the attainment of its strategic aims; the skills of the EDC employees to adjust services according to the customers’ needs will be improved as well as their marketing and financial capacity. The project will promote the development of the EDC into a sustainable and efficient organization.  

 

Summary of project results

The project sought to address several critical issues and challenges faced by the IAC:

1. Dependency on Project-Based Funding: The organization''s heavy reliance on project funding posed risks to its financial stability and long-term sustainability.

2. Limited Organizational Efficiency and Sustainability: There was a need for a comprehensive action plan to enhance the IAC’s operational effectiveness and ensure its institutional and financial sustainability.

3. Gaps in Understanding Client Needs: The IAC lacked a thorough understanding of the needs and demands of its current and potential clients, making it difficult to tailor services effectively.

4. Outdated and Insufficient Service Offerings: The organization’s existing programs required evaluation and updates to remain relevant and impactful for the target audience.

5. Need for Staff Development: IAC staff required training and capacity-building to implement modern approaches such as remote learning processes, effective marketing strategies, and client-focused service delivery.

6. Limited Reach and Visibility: The organization faced challenges in promoting its services and reaching a broader audience across Latvia.

The project focused on enhancing the capacity and sustainability of the IAC through several structured activities and deliverables:

1. Capacity-Building for Staff:
   Three training-consultation cycles were conducted:

   • Communication Fundamentals: Focused on principles of interaction, overcoming barriers, e-communication strategies, and effective message crafting.
   • Design Thinking: Applied to develop professional programs and client services.
   • Data Management and Visualization: Taught handling and presenting insights effectively.

2. Needs Assessment and Action Planning:

   • Surveys and in-depth interviews were conducted to identify current and potential client needs.
   • Past services were evaluated, necessary improvements were identified, and an action plan was developed.

3. Program and Service Development:

   • Six professional development programs were refined into modular formats:
     • Civic Education
     • Media Literacy
     • Intercultural Education
     • Global Education
     • Critical Thinking
     • State Language and Integration
   • These programs were designed for flexible delivery in both online and in-person formats, accompanied by accessible learning materials.

4. Program Promotion:

   • Efforts were initiated to raise awareness about these offerings within the broader public.

5. Revenue Diversification Initiatives:

   • Created competitive adult education programs to reduce reliance on project-based funding, focusing on generating revenue through their sale.

1. Outcomes and Impacts:

   • Improved Human Capital: The quality of IAC staff capacity was significantly enhanced, fostering an environment for long-term growth both at the individual and organizational levels.
   • Enhanced Client-Oriented Services: By analyzing client needs and refining service offerings, the IAC better aligned its programs to meet diverse demands.
   • Program Availability and Accessibility: Six updated professional development programs were made accessible to a wide audience, including professionals and other interested groups. These programs supported skill development in critical areas such as media literacy and civic engagement.
   • Organizational Sustainability: Reduced reliance on project-based funding and improved staff ability to adapt services for client needs.

2. Beneficiaries:

   • Direct Beneficiaries: IAC staff, who gained skills in communication, design thinking, and data visualization.
   • Indirect Beneficiaries: Professionals and interested groups utilizing the developed programs for professional growth, with a focus on areas like critical thinking and integration.
   • Broader Community: The Latvian civil society, which benefits from the strengthened capacity of IAC and its enhanced focus on integration, education, and community-building initiatives.

The project not only delivered tangible resources and tools but also set a foundation for the IAC to continue growing as a sustainable and impactful organization in the future.