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Description
Civic competences and understanding of civil society are the basis for the development of a democratic country.
The main objective of the project "Academy of Democracy"" is to contribute to the sustainability of civil society in Latvia, by improving the capacities of leaders of regional and local CSOs, improving the knowledge of policymakers about civil society, and increase the number of active young citizens - thereby strengthening civil society in general.
During the project, a special professional development education program in the field of civic competence will be developed. It will be practically implemented in all regions of Latvia, involving 3 main target groups - leaders and representatives of Latvian NGOs, representatives of public administration institutions and active local residents.
In parallel with face-to-face training, an online program available to anyone interested will be organized, including questions about civil society, as well as networking events for active citizens and exchanges of practical experiences to strengthen the acquisition of theoretical knowledge in practical activities.
At the end of the project, the developed curriculum will be available to everyone interested, as well as the database of lecturers created according to it, a collection of methods used to achieve the goals of learning and activities, examples of experience and good practice, etc. materials that can be used in future activities, for the education and capacity building of civil society organizations and active citizens by society themselves and policy makers.
Summary of project results
Democracy and civil society in the 21st century faced a range of challenges, including difficulty in achieving meaningful change and struggles in organizing and engaging citizens in civil society organizations. Ensuring effective, results-oriented public involvement in decision-making processes at both local and national levels remained a significant hurdle. Additionally, there was a pressing need for the sustainable development of civil society organizations, as many faced shortages in knowledge, human resources, and financial support. These challenges were compounded by a lack of resources and capacity within smaller organizations, hindering their ability to engage and educate the public on civic competencies. In Latvia, these challenges were particularly pronounced, with a low capacity among NGOs, especially small and medium-sized organizations. Many of these organizations were unable to access capacity-building support through open calls in ACF program, limiting their growth and impact. There was also a lack of resources to educate the public in civic competencies, particularly in regions and small organizations that were too weak to address these issues on their own. Experienced leaders in these organizations often struggled to adapt to evolving challenges, further hindering effective civic participation. To address these issues, there was a clear need for a specialized training program to enhance civic competence, one that was adaptable to different societal groups and regions. Such a program should have focused on practical approaches, networking, and strengthening the capacity and sustainability of civil society organizations, while ensuring public involvement in decision-making processes at all levels. To address these challenges and strengthen civic participation in Latvia, the "Democracy Academy" initiative was created to motivate more citizens to engage in civil society activities by inviting to learn about the core principles of democracy, civic competence, and its importance.
Democracy academy content and program development. The Democracy Academy training program was designed to enhance the knowledge and capacity of NGO leaders, representatives, young leaders, active citizens, and public administration representatives. A core concept of the training program was developed, including five key modules. The content of each module was refined and adjusted according to the evolving needs of the participants, identified through evaluations conducted after each regional activity and module. The program remained under development, continuously tailored to participant feedback. The 72-hour training program covered 5 key modules and subtopics, including a civic society portrait, which focused on democracy, the post-Soviet influence on civic society in Latvia, and the self-organizational forms within civil society such as NGOs, trade unions, political parties, and social movements. The civic society in local communities module addressed the functions of civil society, its impact, and collaboration with the public sector, highlighting examples of best practices. Civic competence emphasized responsible citizenship in Latvia and Europe, stressing the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes for real-life participation. The final module, future civic society, explored the intersection of democracy and artificial intelligence, the future of politics, financial support for civic society, and trust-building. The program targeted two main groups: NGO leaders and representatives, young leaders, and active citizens, as well as public administration representatives. It was designed to allow simultaneous training sessions for all groups, each receiving activities tailored to their specific needs.
E-learning course. Alongside the in-person sessions, the project team discussed and developed the concept for an e-learning course, based on the curriculum but tailored with additional online content, materials, and guest lecturers. Training sessions were filmed to create a comprehensive, prestigious, and licensed e-learning program to ensure the continuity of the Democracy Academy. The e-learning course aimed to strengthen the capacity of NGO representatives, public sector employees, and young leaders, helping them better understand democratic governance processes, intercultural cooperation, and cross-sector collaboration. The e-learning course was officially launched on February 8, 2024, and remained available to all interested individuals. A total of 73 students enrolled, with 23 representing NGOs, 5 from public administration, and 45 who were private individuals or young leaders. Ten students received electronic certificates upon completion. The course remained accessible to everyone even after the project''s conclusion.
Democracy Academy for NGOs, young leaders and public administration. An open public call for participation in the Democracy Academy was issued. The invitation targeted NGO leaders, public administration representatives, and young leaders—active citizens eager to participate in various processes. The call for participation was distributed through mass media and press releases to both national and regional outlets, as well as letters sent to all local municipalities, including mayors and public relations specialists. A total of 309 applications were received from all regions of Latvia, and 210 participants were selected, including 85 NGO representatives, 70 young leaders and active citizens, and 55 public administration representatives. Participants signed good-will agreements to engage in the Academy. The Democracy Academy (72 hours) organized several in-person and regional events throughout the year, along with an online training session. The 4 in-person sessions included an official opening ceremony with speeches from key officials, including President of Latvia, followed by training sessions focused on various topics like civic competence and democracy. These sessions covered important themes relevant to both NGOs and public administration representatives. In addition to the main national events, regional events were conducted across various regions of Latvia, such as Kurzeme, Vidzeme, Zemgale, Riga/Pierīga, and Latgale. These regional activities offered local participants the opportunity to engage in focused training sessions, seminars, and networking, fostering stronger ties within local communities and civil society. An online training session was also held later in the year, targeting NGO representatives and covering topics related to civic society, NGO roles in crisis situations, and effective communication. In total, a significant number of participants took part in these events, including those who completed the in-person program, attended the online courses, and engaged in regional networking activities ensuring the program''s success and its broad impact across the country: A total of 149 participants received certificates for completing the in-person program, while 250 participants attended training sessions, both in-person and online for the NGO module. Over 75 guest lecturers and experts contributed to the program, excluding organizers and partners. Additionally, 73 participants began the e-learning course, with 10 earning certificates. The program also saw 458 participants engage in regional networking activities, and 68 participants attended the national-level networking event to discuss the future of the Democracy Academy. These activities collectively contributed to building stronger civic networks, fostering knowledge exchange, and supporting the development of democracy-related skills across Latvia.
CSO networking and exchange of best practices.The primary goal of the networking activities within the Democracy Academy was to foster collaboration and facilitate the exchange of knowledge among representatives of civil society organizations (CSOs) across various regions, sectors, and areas of expertise. Key networking initiatives included a national-level networking event, which brought together 68 participants from the NGO sector, public administration, and academic institutions. Additionally, 22 regional networking events were organized throughout Latvia, with 4 events in each region and 6 in Latgale, engaging representatives from 183 CSOs. These events also welcomed informal citizen groups, local media, and entrepreneurs, broadening the scope of participation and encouraging diverse collaborations. To further enhance communication and connectivity, WhatsApp and Facebook groups were established, allowing for swift and efficient exchanges of ideas, fostering trust between participants and organizers. These networking events not only facilitated the sharing of experiences but also significantly strengthened regional NGO cooperation. This, in turn, contributed to the long-term growth and sustainability of civil society networks, creating a more cohesive and dynamic landscape for civic engagement across Latvia.
To ensure a comprehensive understanding of the core principles of democracy, the importance of civic competence, and its practical applications, a unique, research-based training program - Democracy Academy - was developed to strengthen civic competence. The project''s success was evaluated positively, despite the limited scope of the in-person sessions, which were attended by a small group of 200 students. The project successfully achieved the following goals:
- Improved knowledge of civic activism methods and tools: The Democracy Academy provided both theoretical knowledge and hands-on opportunities for students to explore various methods and tools for effective civic activism.
- Strengthened understanding of democratic participation: Students were inspired to engage more deeply in civil society activities and often continued promoting democratic values at the local level, which helped enhance broader participation and involvement within their communities.
- Increased contribution of civil society organizations (CSOs): The project fostered networking among CSOs, facilitating trust-building and promoting mutual benefits in both economic and social realms. National-level awareness campaigns also played a significant role in achieving this goal.
- Enhanced role of CSOs as mediators: The role of CSOs as vital intermediaries between citizens and governance institutions was strengthened, with positive feedback from students and a growing interest from public administration representatives keen to better understand communication dynamics.
- Motivated citizens to engage in community development: The Democracy Academy effectively motivated citizens to actively participate in community and public life, with practical initiatives led by academy students in regional areas and opportunities for experience-sharing through networking events.
Sustainability. The continuation of the Academy is essential for long-term impact, and several measures have been taken to ensure its sustainability. An e-learning platform was created to provide ongoing access to project information and online courses, while a temporary website (demokratijasakademija.lv) served as a resource hub for in-person sessions. Additionally, a Facebook page and a networking group for NGOs were established to offer regular updates on democratic processes and national initiatives, fostering continuous engagement and support for the Academy’s mission. The developed curriculum for the Democracy Academy was submitted to the Riga City Council''s Education, Culture, and Sports Department for evaluation and licensing. On December 23, 2022, the non-formal adult education program “Democracy Academy” was officially licensed with No. DIKS-22-511-ail.