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Description
Project “Growth of the capacity of "MOT Latvia"” is an important step in the development of the association, long-term capacity building and implementation of the MOT program in latvian schools. The project activities will provide significant support to the organization both for the development of the brand in a new higher quality, and for the involvement, motivation and strengthening of the sense of belonging of the volunteers. In the project is involved partner from Norway – NGO “MOT Foundation”.
Purpose of the project: strengthening the capacity of the association “MOT Latvija” to promote the visibility of the MOT movement for civil society activities in a sustainable period.
Planned activities:
• NGO “MOT Latvija” brand promoting, promoting its activities, including on social networks, through the production of videos, which would reveal a message about MOT values in an interesting, youth-friendly way, the uniqueness of the MOT movement, the ability to excite active citizens with common values;
• trainings will be organized in the project to increase the competencies and skills of human resources - raising funding in the form of donations, communication, NGO brand promotion through different channels, volunteer work;
• organizing an MOT ANNUAL environment event to motivate volunteers;
• exchange of experience and training of MOT Latvija volunteer board members in Trondheim, Norway.
The set of all the activities described previously would ensure the growth of the operational capacity of MOT Latvia as well as the sustainability of MOT programme’s presence in Latvian schools, involving more and more citizens to be active in building warmer society and spreding universal human values - courage to live, care and say no.
Summary of project results
The association "MOT Latvija" required strengthened capacity to ensure broader impact, necessitating professional and engaging content on social media platforms to reach youth effectively, especially in light of the limitations posed by the pandemic. Increasing the brand''s visibility was identified as a key step for attracting more schools, students, and influential supporters, as well as sustaining the program''s relevance and presence in schools. Additionally, the project recognized the lack of resources for producing high-quality video content, which could communicate MOT''s core values in a youth-friendly way, supporting mental health and fostering a positive school environment.
Another challenge was the absence of adequate personnel within "MOT Latvija" to manage marketing and brand promotion effectively. The organization was heavily reliant on volunteers and activists, with the board primarily responsible for the operational workload, highlighting the need for a dedicated project manager to handle brand development, media content creation, and public engagement. Sustaining motivation among the over 300 volunteer MOT trainers and supporters presented another challenge, as their ongoing enthusiasm and sense of belonging were critical for long-term success. Further, volunteers and board members needed training to improve their skills in public engagement, media relations, and fundraising, crucial areas for organizational growth. Finally, there was a need for international exposure to best practices, with the board requiring firsthand experience from MOT Foundation in Norway to enhance their strategic capabilities and understand the program''s implementation in a mature context.
The project "Growth of the capacity of MOT Latvia" created four short films in different formats to showcase MOT''s core values and mission for use with youth, educators, schools, sponsors, and other interested parties. These videos are stored in a shared MS Teams site for trainers and are regularly used in all 7th-grade classrooms across 70 MOT schools, ensuring widespread engagement despite not being reflected in public viewing counts.
The project organized training sessions for MOT trainers, covering topics such as classroom management, public speaking, branding, communication, and collaboration with school administrations. Some sessions took place outdoors to provide hands-on experiences, and interest exceeded expectations with more participants than originally planned. In total, 106 unique participants attended, demonstrating the high demand for skill-building among MOT supporters.
To boost volunteer motivation, the project hosted an annual gathering for MOT enthusiasts, which brought together 308 volunteer trainers preparing to work with 15,000 youth in 70 schools across 43 cities. Additionally, representatives from MOT Latvia engaged in an exchange program in Trondheim, Norway, where they explored best practices and strategies with the MOT Foundation, strengthening international collaboration and gaining insights for further development in Latvia.
The project "Growth of the capacity of MOT Latvia" successfully strengthened the organization’s capacity and enhanced public awareness of the MOT movement to promote sustainable civic engagement. By creating new videos, MOT Latvia provided trainers with valuable resources to better integrate the MOT program in schools while simultaneously informing the broader public. These videos are now used widely in training sessions, school presentations, and social media, helping establish a lasting presence for MOT. The exchange with Norwegian partners enriched MOT Latvia''s understanding of program quality, support activities, and tools essential for continued growth. As a direct result, MOT Latvia doubled the number of schools in two years, reaching 37 new schools—a significant increase compared to the previous five years. The project also provided essential training for new and existing trainers, equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to deliver engaging sessions and foster community values. This increased motivation among trainers directly impacts the 18,000 young people involved in the MOT program, strengthening values like courage, compassion, and resilience within the youth community. By empowering trainers, the project fostered a ripple effect, enhancing the overall capacity of MOT Latvia and contributing to a more inclusive and tolerant society.
Summary of bilateral results
The bilateral cooperation with MOT Norway provided MOT Latvia with valuable insights and practical support for capacity building and program development. Through in-person meetings in Trondheim, Norway, with MOT teams from Norway, Denmark, South Africa, and Thailand, participants shared visions and strategies for expanding MOT''s impact on youth. MOT Norway offered expertise in training methodology, presentation development, and program structure, drawing on 25 years of experience. The collaboration included practical guidance on measuring quality, training youth leaders, and engaging the community. This exchange broadened the Latvian team’s perspective, showing how MOT could grow from a small community-driven initiative to a nationally recognized organization. The inspiring sessions at MOT Camp, including a gathering of over 650 MOT enthusiasts, underscored the movement''s collective energy and commitment to MOT’s core values: the courage to live, care, and say no.