At the end of May, the first international working visit of the Erasmus+ project “ECoC Youth Clubs” took place in the Czech city of Budweis, bringing together young people and project managers from three future European Capitals of Culture – Liepāja 2027, Évora 2027, and České Budějovice 2028.
Over the course of three days, participants explored Budweis’ cultural environment, attended presentations of youth-led projects, and took part in workshops focusing on youth participation and intercultural cooperation. They were also introduced to the “Young Urbanist” methodology, which encourages viewing the city as an open learning space. Using a range of urban research methods, participants examined public spaces, sense of belonging, and the impact of globalisation, creating a shared archive of field research.
Justīne Rusakova, Public Participation Project Manager at Liepāja 2027, contributed to several programme activities, including facilitating the workshop “Culture of Peace”. The workshop aimed to foster a shared understanding of communication among young people and highlight its importance when working in international teams.
The working visit in Budweis marked an important starting point for the project, strengthening cooperation between partners and demonstrating the vital role young people play in shaping their cities and communities.
As part of the Erasmus+ project “ECoC Youth Clubs”, five workshops for young people will take place between June and December in Liepāja, as well as in Budweis and Évora. Participants will develop skills in project writing and implementation, learn about the principles of non-governmental organisations, strengthen their leadership and personal development competences, and explore other topics essential for active youth participation. The first workshop in Liepāja is scheduled for June.
Participation in the Youth Club activities is open to graduates of the Liepāja 2027 youth programme, as well as other motivated and active young people interested in contributing to their communities.
