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Description
The aims of the society Vītolēni project are to expand the number of its active members and to provide their education; to increase society''s awareness and financial independence; to develop collaboration with its partners and to establish new partnerships. This will be achieved by elaborating the society''s action plan focused on long-term development.
Expanding our website and creating a brand will develop our core business, allowing us to become a financially independent organization.
Together with our Norvegian partners, we will expand our partnerships and will have a possibility to promote our offers and find like-minded people to collaborate with.
The society Vītolēni will become an active and self-sufficient organization with many new members, who will Let''s think - Let''s do!
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address several key challenges:
- Increasing membership: The project seeks to expand the number of active members in the society Vītolēni.
- Providing education: Ensuring the education and engagement of the society''s members is a central goal.
- Raising awareness and financial independence: The project aims to raise awareness of the society while making it financially independent.
- Developing partnerships: Expanding existing collaborations and establishing new partnerships with both local and international partners, like the Norwegian partners, is crucial.
- Long-term development: The project focuses on creating a strategic action plan for sustainable, long-term growth.
These challenges highlight the need for increased engagement, financial security, and strategic growth.
The project undertook several activities and produced tangible outputs:
Strategic Plan Development:
- A strategic plan was developed for the period 2023-2025. The first meeting took place in person on August 5-6, with subsequent remote meetings. The plan focused on defining the organization''s values based on member input and was presented and approved on January 28, 2023, with 10 members and 2 partners participating. The plan was published on the organization''s website and is currently being implemented, including organizing camps and preparing project proposals.
Volunteer Recruitment Training:
- Training sessions for recruiting volunteers were held on July 8-9, with 10 participants (volunteers and staff). After the training, volunteers participated in various camps such as integration, sports, creative music, Ukrainian, and family day camps. Some volunteers transitioned into paid staff roles. The training provided practical experience and ensured that the organization had sufficient personnel for the six camps held that summer. Volunteers will continue to participate in future activities.
Fundraising (Camp Leader Certification):
- One participant obtained a camp leader certification through a 72-hour online course. This certification will enable the organization to organize more diverse camps (language, art, music, sports, and camps for children with disabilities), fostering collaboration with other organizations and generating income for financial independence.
Brand Development:
- The organization created a brand, including a logo, graphic style guidelines, color schemes, and a seal. The logo is already being used on the website, Facebook page, and physical items like keychains. The branding efforts started in August 2022.
Publicity and IT Skills Training:
- Publicity and IT training sessions were held remotely over three 3-hour sessions. Participants learned how to create content for social media, manage advertisements, and separate personal from organizational information online. After the first session, participants applied their new skills, resulting in a 180% increase in social media views in July.
These activities contributed to the development of the organization, expanding its reach, improving volunteer engagement, and promoting financial independence through skill-building and strategic planning.
The project achieved several key results, with significant outcomes and impacts on various groups of beneficiaries:
Increased Organizational Capacity:
- For the organization (Vītolēni): The development and implementation of a strategic plan for 2023-2025 enabled the organization to establish clear goals, values, and action steps, which laid the foundation for long-term development and financial independence. The plan improved internal coordination and communication with partners, enhancing the organization''s ability to organize events like camps and submit project proposals.
Enhanced Volunteer Skills and Involvement:
- For volunteers and staff: Training programs provided volunteers with practical skills for participating in and organizing camps. Out of the trained volunteers, five young people participated in camps, and two were hired for paid positions. This training not only increased the organization''s workforce but also equipped volunteers with valuable skills they could apply in future events. The engagement of volunteers extended beyond camps, as they continued contributing to other activities like Family Day and future camps.
Certified Leadership for Future Camps:
- For camp leaders and participants: One participant obtained a camp leader certification, enabling the organization to organize diverse camps, including those for children with disabilities, arts, sports, and more. This certification will help the organization expand its offerings, fostering collaboration with other organizations and generating revenue, benefiting both the organization and the camp attendees.
Improved Publicity and Social Media Engagement:
- For the organization and its audience: The Publicity and IT training led to a 180% increase in social media engagement in July. This growth in visibility benefits both the organization and its members by attracting more attention to its activities, thereby increasing community awareness and participation.
Brand Creation and Recognition:
- For the public and potential partners: The creation of the organization''s logo and brand helped establish a strong, recognizable identity. This branding is now used across platforms, including the website and physical items like keychains, enhancing the organization’s professional image. The new branding will attract more members, partners, and financial support, benefiting the organization and its stakeholders.
Overall, the project had a direct positive impact on the organization''s growth, volunteers'' skill development, and public awareness, with benefits extending to the community, partners, and future camp participants. The strategic planning, skill-building, and branding efforts strengthened the organization’s foundation for sustainable, long-term success.
Summary of bilateral results
1.The donor project partner from Norway facilitated cultural and organizational exchanges between Latvia and Norway. During visits, participants from both countries were able to share knowledge, explore cultural institutions, and discuss potential collaborative projects. The Norwegian partner, Anna Garjāne, coordinated the program logistics, including transportation, accommodations, and translation, which greatly supported the smooth execution of the visits. These exchanges allowed both parties to deepen their understanding of each other’s cultural practices and identify shared interests for future cooperation.2. The bilateral collaboration led to the identification of specific future projects, including a visual arts competition related to Jāzeps Vītols'' music, where students from the Levanger Cultural School could participate. Further, there were plans for student participation in the Vītolēni music camps and teacher exchange programs between Latvian and Norwegian music and art schools. Discussions also included possibilities for collaboration between choirs from Latvia and Levanger, and the use of digital communication tools like Zoom, Teams, and WhatsApp to maintain communication. Overall, personal meetings helped to build trust, identify common goals, and solidify the foundation for ongoing cooperation.3.Several concrete steps were planned for future cooperation, including the involvement of Levanger Cultural School students in art competitions and participation in Latvian summer camps. There were also plans for teacher exchange programs, joint choir collaborations, and the exploration of project funding opportunities through programs such as Erasmus+, AIF, and Norplus. The partners emphasized that future collaboration would be built on these personal relationships and shared experiences, ensuring ongoing cultural and educational exchange between Latvia and Norway.