Open Youth Work Development in Gargždai Town

Project facts

Project promoter:
Klaipeda district Municipality administration
Project Number:
LT05-0026
Target groups
Children
Status:
Completed
Initial project cost:
€233,116
Final project cost:
€227,202
From EEA Grants:
€ 173,810
The project is carried out in:
Klaipėdos apskritis

Description

The project goal is to contribute to the well-being of young people by developing an open youth work in Gargždai. With this project, we seek to create and improve a material base for the Open Youth Center; to develop young peoples' social and life skills, including the abilities needed for the job market; and to develop inter-institutional cooperation, i.e. liaise and cooperate with youth-related institutions of Klaipeda District Municipality. The activities of the Open Youth Center in Gargždai will contribute to reducing the risk of exclusion in the target group of youth, to constructive youth participation in social processes, to youth involvement in useful and meaningful activities, to a strengthening of labor market, social and life skills among youth, and to greater career opportunities for youth. The target group of the project is young people aged 14 to 29, and special attention is paid to youth at risk. The project foresees that after the implementation of the project activities, no less than 200 young people with fewer opportunities will be able to use the services of Open Youth Center.

Summary of project results

According to Statistics Lithuania, young people aged 14 to 29 accounted for a 21.12 percent of total population in Klaipeda District Municipality in 2013 (10 901 young people). In the same year and location, 5.5 percent of young people aged 16 to 25 were unemployed (600 young people). Based on the study of Klaipeda District Youth Issues 2012 and the research conducted by Klaipeda district’s youth coordinator about the youth situation in Gargždai, the following main areas of concern imposed: youth’s physical and psychological condition, alcohol and psychotropic drugs, low youth civil engagement, limited leisure time opportunities, low youth employment by profession, etc. The project was implemented in order to contribute to well-being of young people developing an open youth work in Gargždai. The project contributed to youth policy implementation in Klaipeda District Municipality by: improving activities of youth organizations and their participation in public life, strengthening youth organizations and their material base, educating young people in entrepreneurship and providing young people various leisure time activities. A material base was created at the open youth center of Gargždai: the center equipped with creative workshops and an outdoor youth area, youth workers are working. Activities of Open Youth Center in Gargždai contributes to reduction of risk-group youth exclusion, constructive youth participation in social processes, youth involvement in useful and meaningful activities, strengthening of labor market, social and life skills development and greater youth career opportunities. While implementing the project 37 educational activities were organized - crafts activities (63 meetings were held in which 172 young people participated).

Summary of bilateral results