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Description
The aim of the project “Operation of the Association "Ascendum" in years 2022-2023" is to ensure successful activity and development of the association, as well as the ability to achieve the goals that have been set in the strategy of the Association. The mission of Ascendum is to bring together people and ideas that make up an empathetic, educated and active citizenship. Based on the mission, the association has set three main goals for the next three years of operation: 1) Empathy - target groups are aware of the differences in the experiences of their fellow citizens, are sensitive to other groups in society and their interests, are aware of their impact on the environment; 2) Education / awareness - target groups have intellectual and emotional tools to form their opinion about social events, to be able to have respectful discussions with other members of society; 3.) Civil society - target groups are aware of themselves as part of society and a co-creator of this society and engage in civic activities. They are aware of the different forms of civic participation.
Among the most important activities of the association within the project are organization of discussions and educational events (lectures, film evenings, seminars, workshops etc.), education of young people about non-governmental organization work and civic activities (volunteer training), books and other printed publications for children and adults, development and explanation of donation culture to the public, advocating NGO industry interests (research, participation in umbrella organizations, etc.), organization of cooperation projects with other NGOs, as well as the strengthening of “Ascendum” visibility in public, financial and organizational sustainability.
Summary of project results
Promoting civic engagement and social cohesion. Ascendum works to strengthen civic engagement and foster social cohesion in Latvia, addressing the challenge of low levels of youth participation in democratic processes. The organization uses cultural methods to inspire civic responsibility, bridge societal gaps, and develop collaboration and initiative-taking skills among citizens.
Enhancing democracy and human rights protection. One of the core challenges Ascendum seeks to address is the development of democratic culture in Latvia, particularly in light of its Soviet past. Latvia is still cultivating democratic traditions, and Ascendum focuses on developing emotional and intellectual empathy to build democratic values through cultural activities. This approach aims to reduce discrimination, safeguard human rights, and raise awareness about civil rights.
Promoting cultural education and civic literacy. Ascendum also targets the challenge of integrating culture and civic education. While many Latvian cultural organizations focus on arts and amateur theatre, Ascendum uniquely positions itself in the non-profit ecosystem by prioritizing cultural methods to build a more inclusive and active civil society. This includes utilizing art and culture as tools to engage the public in societal issues and enhance democratic values.
Addressing limited funding and resource sustainability. The organization faces challenges in maintaining financial stability, as it relies heavily on project funding and donations, with limited revenue from its economic activities. The uncertainty of project-based funding creates gaps in long-term strategic planning. The flexibility of the AIF (Active Interest Fund) grant, which allows for funding over two years, enables Ascendum to focus on achieving its strategic goals without the constant pressure of aligning with funders'' short-term agendas.
Enhancing the capacity of NGOs. A key challenge for Ascendum is strengthening its own organizational capacity while also contributing to the broader non-governmental sector in Latvia. The ACF grant would help the organization optimize its resources, including its online magazine Satori, thereby improving both its internal capabilities and external visibility. This would enable Ascendum to reach a larger audience and amplify its impact on promoting civic engagement and democratic values within the community.
- The study "Latvian Youth Civic Engagement: Challenges and Solutions". The study initiated in 2022 during the European Year of Youth, aimed to understand the civic participation of Latvian youth and identify ways to enhance it. The research addressed three key questions: (1) How do youth perceive civic participation opportunities, and what is their current level of engagement in Latvia? (2) What factors motivate or hinder youth from participating civically? (3) What recommendations are necessary to promote youth civic engagement? Conducted in three stages, the study involved: (1) an online survey with approximately 1,000 participants across Latvia; (2) in-depth interviews with survey participants to develop nuanced youth profiles and insights; and (3) a co-ideation and co-analysis camp for 30 youth, where they collaborated with service design experts to address pressing civic issues in their schools or councils, develop solutions, and experience decision-making firsthand. This immersive process reinforced their belief in their ability to contribute to decision-making and motivated ongoing civic action. As a follow-up, the study’s findings have been shared around 30 events dedicated to explaining and promoting democracy, fostering a broader understanding of civic engagement among diverse audiences.
- The initiative “Conversations with Seniors”. The initiative “Conversations with Seniors,” implemented by the “Ascendum” in collaboration with the “Rūjiena social care and rehabilitation center” aimed to promote voluntary work, intergenerational dialogue, and understanding of aging while reducing social exclusion among seniors. During 2022-2023 the project involved 52 volunteers and encompassed activities such as recruitment and training, orientation visits, small-group interactions with seniors (each volunteer spending 6-8 days), reflective journaling, supervision sessions, and creative writing workshops. Through these efforts, the initiative fostered a sense of community and personal growth for both seniors and volunteers.
- The online magazine “Satori” has been a consistent platform fostering dialogue on democracy, human rights, and civic participation. It regularly publishes articles addressing critical issues such as the war in Ukraine, providing reports, interviews, and expert commentary on human rights violations. It also covers themes of violence in childbirth, with discussions leading to research revealing that one-third of Latvian women experience abuse during childbirth, and advocates for women’s rights, including reproductive rights, addressing systemic violence, and promoting access to free hygiene products. The magazine highlights LGBTQ+ rights, exploring same-sex partnerships, trans rights, and societal biases, including awareness initiatives like the bilingual newspaper “Aiz kauna”. Furthermore, it focuses on children’s education, emphasizing equitable access to quality education, and broader themes of democracy, youth civic responsibility, and intergenerational understanding. Through these efforts, “Satori” bridges diverse societal perspectives, fostering empathy and social inclusion.
- Poster workshop. To promote civic activism and participation, “Ascendum” and the online magazine “Satori” organized a poster workshop before the march "Together for Ukraine! Together against Putin." Participants, including authors and readers, created posters, exchanged ideas, and felt a sense of unity and empathy toward Ukrainians and refugees. The workshop engaged 50 participants and encouraged collective civic responsibility.
- Discussions on ageism. A roundtable titled "What ages do we expect participation in society?" explored societal biases and challenges faced by individuals considered "too young" or "too old" for active engagement.
Cultural and civic engagement events "Park of moments of joy and courage". A series of 15 cultural and civic engagement events aimed at fostering community cohesion, strengthening individual perceptions of belonging, and promoting the necessity of public spaces in a democratic society. Activities included a collaborative workshop for creating park furniture and scenography, encouraging civic activism, and a youth workshop where students reflected on citizenship through a pop-up exhibition.
Session "Democracy. With a View to the Future" within project "Democracy Academy". Within national level project "Democracy Academy" program to enhance civic competence and trust in Latvia, Ascendum lead session and presented findings from its youth civic engagement study, offering insights into barriers and solutions for youth participation.
“Participation Ping Pong” at the conversation festival LAMPA. Organized with the European Movement Latvia, this interactive event introduced over 50 civic participation mechanisms through a fun, engaging game. Youth also learned about the results of Ascendum’s civic engagement study. The participation tent became a hub for relaxation, learning, and inspiration, supported by 15 volunteers who managed activities and guided peers in exploring civic involvement.
“Civic Participation Orienteering Game” at youth festival. A gamified orientation activity focusing on civic engagement mechanisms. Youth competed to answer questions on civil society, democracy, and governance, with popcorn as a reward. This event also featured the presentation of Ascendum’s youth civic engagement study, inspiring positive experiences and future participation in civic activities.
- Online magazine Satori offered a platform to raise awareness on critical societal issues, increased understanding of critical human rights issues and highlighted neglected areas of human rights, such as equitable education, LGBTQ+ rights, violence during childbirth, reproductive rights, etc. as well as it has been a widely recognised, consistent and valuable platform to foster dialogue on democracy.
- The youth study provided actionable strategies for enhancing civic participation and gave obtained valuable data for further advocacy activities.
- 52 volunteers developed a deeper empathy for seniors'' experiences, gaining a broader understanding of aging, human rights, and care dynamics and experienced personal growth, a shift in perceptions of volunteer work, and continued involvement in care centers after the project ended and other civic activities. It also influenced changes in care center policies, supporting senior autonomy.
- Project promoted active civic participation and dialogue, fostering societal empathy, encouraging systemic change, and enhancing active citizenship. Events like the poster workshop and youth festival created spaces for collective activism, while the senior project helped bridge generational divides.