On Wednesday, July 29, at the newly opened hotel “Brīvības osta” Aizpute, the 2025/2026 cycle of the Liepāja 2027 Community Strengthening and Support Programme came to a close, bringing together community representatives and cultural organizers from Liepāja, Kuldīga, and the South Kurzeme region to reflect on what has been accomplished, share experiences, and draw inspiration for future initiatives.
The event was opened by Andra Strautiņa, Liepāja 2027 Public Participation Project Coordinator, who provided an overview of what has been accomplished and what is planned within the community programme. She introduced attendees to the upcoming events for community involvement as part of Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027.
As early as mid-August, a call for proposals will be announced for the community programme “Neighbourliness”, inviting representatives of neighborhood communities who wish to engage various social groups in their local areas and strengthen their participation in various initiatives to apply.
“It is the people themselves – their responsiveness, courage, and desire to come together – that are the true strength of communities. Jointly realized projects foster trust, a sense of belonging, and a desire to do more for the good of one’s neighborhood. The journey toward the European Capital of Culture year offers an opportunity to strengthen vibrant, cohesive, and active communities. The stories, encounters, and good deeds created together will become a lasting legacy that will endure even after Liepāja 2027. The Community Programme vividly demonstrates that residents’ initiatives can bring about lasting change — they inspire people to continue what they’ve started and encourage even those who have been mere observers to get involved, thereby strengthening the sense of community and participation throughout society,” says Andra Strautiņa, Liepāja 2027 Public Participation Coordinator.
During the evening, Meldra and Mārtiņš Gineitis, the owners of the hotel “Brīvības osta”, shared the story of how the place was created and developed, revealing how a personal vision had grown into a significant gathering place for the Aizpute community and its guests. They also spoke about his experience getting involved in various communities and fostering collaboration among people.
Kaspars Lielgalvis gave a presentation titled “Bringing Society Together by Revitalizing Cultural Life”. He shared the conclusions from a project implemented in Riga’s Čiekurkalns neighborhood, Jaunliepāja in Liepāja, Gulbene, and the Gulbene region, emphasizing that cultural initiatives are becoming an important tool for strengthening citizen participation, mutual trust, and a sense of belonging.
Particularly valuable was the exchange of experiences among community representatives, during which participants shared their stories about their achievements, challenges, and most successful initiatives. The various examples demonstrated that the strength of communities lies in people’s initiative, cooperation, and willingness to learn from one another.
The closing evening of the Community Programme took place in a warm and festive atmosphere, serving not only as a look back at what had been accomplished, but also as an encouragement to continue building strong, active, and cohesive communities throughout the Liepāja 2027 partnership territory. The Liepāja 2027 Community Programme was designed to strengthen local communities’ ability to collaborate, implement their own initiatives, and foster cultural life as a key driver of local development. Throughout the programme, communities have not only carried out their own projects but have also created new networks of collaboration that will continue to develop leading up to 2027 and beyond.
The “Neighbourliness” programme of “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” is implemented by the Liepāja 2027 Foundation, with funding allocated by the City of Liepāja, the South Kurzeme and Kuldīga municipalities, and the Ministry of Culture. The “Liepāja 2027” programme is supported by its main partner in environmental education and sustainability, AS “CleanR Grupa”, Jsc; its main partner in air mobility and international communications, AS “airBaltic Corporation”, Jsc; its partner in legal matters SIA “Sorainen ZAB”, Ltd; its land mobility partner, SIA “Lux Express Latvia”, Ltd; alongside its maritime mobility and international communication partner SIA “Stena Line”, Ltd; The Foundation’s media partners are: VSIA “Latvijas Sabiedriskais medijs”, Ltd; SIA “Žurnāls Santa” Ltd; SIA “Tvnet grupa”, Ltd; and AS “Kurzemes Radio”, Jsc.
Released by:
Foundation Liepāja 2027
Public relations specialist
Anita Smilkts
Phone: +371 25 408 337
E-mail: anita.smilkts@liepaja2027.lv
