Description
The project will develop a new method for non-formal education in Latvia. The project's aim is to present the basic principles of study circle method to the Latvian society, to share examples of best practices and promote the method in Latvia and Europe. Main activities: introduce participants with the Latvian educational development concept, especially in non-formal education and lifelong learning issues, experience exchange visit to the project partner;, translation of study materials, adaption of the method to the Latvian situation, trainings of coordinators and participants in the regions, local study circle groups, attracting volunteers and new Association members. Target group: NGO members, inhabitants
Summary of project results
The goal was to train Latvian citizens and non-governmental organizations representing them , about the study circle method , its guiding principles, to share good practices and promote and spread the method in Latvia and Europe. Project implementation period was; from 01-07-2013 to 31-12-2015. During the project period NGO has conducted trainings about study circle method in 4 regions - Vidzeme, Kurzeme, Latgale and Zemgale, as well as 2 capacity building trainings for Talent City members In 2015 the NGO carried out 2 SWOT analysis in order to assess how the project has strengthened the capacity of the organization. There have been 2 international exchange visits to Lithuania (Lithuanian Association of Adult Education) and Estonia (Estonian Adult Education Association). NGO "Talent City" visited the colleagues- adult education trainers- in Lithuania and Estonia, where we together discussed the informal adult education paths development in the Baltic countries. NGO Talent City has become a member of two national level networks - Latvian Civic Alliance (eLPA) and Tīne network as well as 2 European and international networks - The Learning Teacher Network and ESREA. Main task of the project „Democratic study circles” was to disseminate the knowledge about the study circle method which has been successfully achieved. Study circle leaders have been provided with the necessary knowledge and encouraged to continue study circle movement in their local communities. People have become more aware of the democratic processes and civic awareness. Local study circles can be easily and cheaply organized to discuss also local problems and gain common knowledge. For example, one of the suggested themes was about perm culture and farming.
Summary of bilateral results
Project partner – Norwegian Adult Education Association (VOFO). Local trainings have been carried out in the form of seminars and practical training in all Latvian regions and we have prepared 96 study circles leaders and participants. Latvia was twice visited by our partner, guest lecturer from the Norwegian Adult Education Association (VOFO) - Sturla Bjerkaker. The moment of success of this project we believe has been our Norwegian partner, VOFO, the study circle expert Sturla Bjerkaker, and his attraction to the project activities. Norwegian partner and study circle expert Sturla Bjerkaker brought to Latvia his training materials about study circles and lifelong education. The materials were translated into Latvian and distributed to participants. Together with our NGO youth we discussed also the possibility of adaption of study circles to the new reality when so much information can be found on Internet. We got some great new ideas about cross-sectoral study circles, but those ideas should still be developed further. Partnership has strengthened our capacity and added European and Nordic value to the project.